Norfolk police officers hit the retirement jackpot

Norfolk police officers hit the retirement jackpot

Documents released under the FOI Act have revealed that 240 Norfolk police officers who retired in the past five years, have received a tax-free total of more than £17.5 million.

Details of the retirement payouts, which average more than £70,000 per officer, were released as Norfolk Police Authority prepares to increase its share of council tax by up to seven per cent. Norfolk Police Federation has warned that even more officers are weighing up retirement options after becoming disheartened by their jobs.

The lump sum payments are available to officers who have completed 30 years' service or have retired early for medical reasons. Officers can choose to take the payments as a lump sum advance on their pensions.

£17.5million retirement bill for police (Norwich Evening News, 23 February 2006)