Effective April 1, 2026, enhanced early retirement provisions are available to wildfire fighters.

The enhanced early retirement provisions apply to service earned as a wildfire fighter on or after April 1, 2026. They do not apply to members who retired or terminated employment before the changes came into effect.

What’s changed?

These enhanced early retirement provisions include a new earliest retirement age, qualifying for an unreduced pension at an earlier age, and improved early retirement reductions. These changes do not affect members’ contribution rates. Rather, all increased costs are paid by the employer.

What’s next?

Members do not need to take any action. As of April 1, 2026, the new rules automatically apply to service earned on and after that date as a wildfire fighter. For more information and to learn how these changes affect members, read the Wildfire fighters section of the plan website under Plan changes. Your employer will advise you if you are considered a wildfire fighter for the purposes of these plan changes.

The board continues its work to determine whether any additional BC Wildfire Service positions qualify under the wildfire fighter definition and in accordance with the federal Income Tax Act. No further determinations have been made at this time. If the board determines that other BC Wildfire Service positions qualify, those positions will be so recognized effective April 1, 2026.

The BC Public Service Agency is responsible for enrolling members in the correct group and confirming whether their role meets the plan’s definition of “wildfire fighter.” If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the BC Public Service Agency.