Rule 20: Validity of acts
84.Rule 20(1) ensures that decisions, authorisations and acts of the Fund trustees are not invalidated by defective appointments, changes in those holding the office of Fund trustee or in the event that there are fewer than three trustees holding office.
85.Rule 20(2) allows the Fund trustees to vary or revoke decisions made by or authorisations granted by previous Fund trustees. That power is not applicable in relation to decisions which have the effect of reducing scheme benefits to any person, unless the decision is made under other scheme rules. It would not, however, prevent a change where the new decision increases benefits.
86.This rule generally prevents Fund trustees from reversing discretionary decisions made by their predecessors. For example, a decision to allow a scheme member to purchase added years could not be unilaterally revoked by the Fund trustees. Similarly, an initial decision to award an ill-health pension could not be reversed. However, the scheme provides for a subsequent review of these benefits and the pension could be reduced or revoked under these provisions at a later stage because that would constitute a new decision using other rules.
