The Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

PART 4 N.I. BENEFITS IN CASES OF MIXED SERVICE

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 4 excluded (1.4.2015) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/122), regs. 1, 21(2)

CHAPTER 1 N.I. INTRODUCTION

Application of Part 4 N.I.

Application of Part 4 N.I.

261.—(1) This Part applies where a member has pensionable service under both Part 2 and Part 3.

(2) Where this Part applies, Parts 2 and 3 are subject to the modifications provided in this Part.

(3) As regards a person to whom the general rule in regulation 110 (general rule: separate treatment of service etc.) or regulation 237(general rule: separate treatment of service etc.) applies, this Part shall apply separately to benefits in respect of the earlier service and the later service (as defined in regulation 109 or 236, as appropriate).

Preliminary N.I.

Interpretation: general N.I.

262.  In this Part—

“the base amount” means the aggregate of the benefits that would be payable separately under Part 2 and Part 3 but for the operation of this Part;

“calculation method A” means the calculation method provided for in regulation 270;

“calculation method B” means the calculation method provided for in regulation 271;

“calculation method C” means the calculation method provided for in regulation 272;

[F1 “calculation method D” means the calculation method provided for in regulation 272A;

“increment period” has the meaning given in regulation 272A(2);]

“officer” has the same meaning as in Part 2;

“practitioner” has the same meaning as in Part 3;

F2 ...

“uprated earnings” has the same meaning as in Part 3.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 262 inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 97(a)

F2 Words in reg. 262 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 97(b)

CHAPTER 2 N.I. COMPARISON OF ENTITLEMENTS

Application of Chapter 2 N.I.

Application of Chapter 2 N.I.

263.—(1) This Chapter identifies the calculation method under which the benefits payable in respect of discrete periods of pensionable service as an officer are to be compared against the benefits that would have been payable had that service been service as a practitioner.

(2) The discrete periods of pensionable service as an officer that are subject to comparison are any periods of—

(a) up to 10 years of pensionable service as an officer before first becoming a F3 ... medical or dental practitioner,

(b) more than 10 years of pensionable service as an officer before first becoming a F3 ... medical or dental practitioner,

(c) up to 1 year of employment as an officer after last ceasing to be a practitioner,

(d) more than 1 year of employment as an officer after ceasing to be a practitioner,

(e) less than 1 year of pensionable service as an officer concurrently with pensionable service as a practitioner, and

(f) more than 1 year of pensionable service as an officer concurrently with pensionable service as a practitioner.

Textual Amendments

F3 Word in reg. 263(2)(a)(b) omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 98

Officer service before practitioner service N.I.

Cases with up to 10 years of officer service N.I.

264.—(1) Where a member has not more than 10 years of pensionable service before first becoming a F4 ... medical practitioner, the reference amount shall be the best of—

(a) the amount determined by calculation method A,

(b) the amount determined by calculation method B, and

(c) where—

(i) the benefit is payable on retirement or death of the member, and

(ii) the condition is met,

the base amount.

(2) The condition mentioned in paragraph (1)(c)(ii) is that—

(a) the amount of pension payable under Part 2 would be greater than the amount of pension payable under Part 3, where—

(i) any enhancement for the purposes of regulation 52 or 182 (enhancement of ill-health pensions), as appropriate, is ignored,

(ii) any additional pension is disregarded, and

(iii) any increase under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 is applied, and

(b) the amount determined by calculation method B is less than the base amount.

Textual Amendments

F4 Word in reg. 264(1) omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 99

Cases with more than 10 years of officer service N.I.

265.  Where a member has more than 10 years of pensionable service before first becoming a F5 ... medical practitioner, the reference amount shall be the better of—

(a) the amount determined by calculation method A, and

(b) the base amount.

Textual Amendments

F5 Word in reg. 265 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 100

Officer service after practitioner service N.I.

Cases with less than 1 year of officer service N.I.

266.  Where a member has been employed as an officer for less than 1 year after last ceasing to be a practitioner, the reference amount shall be the amount determined by calculation method A.

Cases with 1 year or more of officer service N.I.

267.  Where a member has been employed as an officer for 1 year or more after last ceasing to be a practitioner, the reference amount shall be the better of—

(a) the amount determined by calculation method C, and

(b) the base amount.

Concurrent officer and practitioner service N.I.

Cases with less than 1 year of concurrent officer service N.I.

268.  Where a member has less than 1 year of pensionable service as an officer concurrently with pensionable service as a practitioner, the reference amount shall be the amount determined by calculation method A.

Cases with 1 year or more of concurrent officer service N.I.

269.  Where a member has 1 year or more of pensionable service as an officer concurrently with pensionable service as a practitioner, the reference amount shall be the better of—

(a) the amount determined by calculation method A, and

(b) the base amount.

[F6 Non-concurrent Officer and Practitioner Service N.I.

Textual Amendments

F6 Reg. 269A inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 101

Cases with non-concurrent officer service between periods of practitioner service N.I.

(1) Where a member who, before commencing the member’s final period of practitioner service, has service as an officer (whether that service as an officer consists of a separate period of such service or two or more such periods), and—

(a) that officer service is preceded by an earlier period of practitioner service; and

(b) some or all of the member’s officer service is not concurrent with practitioner service,

the reference amount in respect of such part of that officer service that is not concurrent with practitioner service shall be the better of—

(i) the amount determined by calculation method D, and

(ii) the base amount.]

Calculation methods N.I.

Calculation method A N.I.

270.— [F7 (1)]  Calculation method A is the aggregate of—

(a) the amount that would be payable under Part 3 if—

(i) the member's discrete period of pensionable service as an officer were treated as pensionable service as a practitioner, and

(ii) the amount of pensionable pay received in respect of that officer service were treated as pensionable earnings as a practitioner for the respective period,

(b) the amount payable under Part 2 (if any) if the member's pensionable service as an officer were reduced by the discrete period of pensionable service as an officer in sub-paragraph (a), and

(c) the amount payable under Part 3 but for the operation of this Part.

[F8 (2) Where paragraph (1) applies—

(a) the member is entitled to count part of the period of officer service referred to in that paragraph as a result of a transfer-in under regulation 229; and

(b) the transfer-in is other than a transfer-in referred to in regulation 230(6),

for the purposes of any calculation under regulation 264(1)(a) or 265(a), the amount of the pensionable pay deemed to be received in respect of that part period of officer service will be calculated in accordance with regulation 230(2).]

Textual Amendments

F7 Reg. 270 renumbered as reg. 270(1) (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 102(2)

F8 Reg. 270(2) added (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 102(3)

Calculation method B N.I.

271.  Calculation method B is the aggregate of—

(a) the amount payable under Part 3 if the member's uprated earnings is increased by the formula—

where—

UE is the amount of the member's uprated earnings,

LPSo is the length of the member's discrete period of pensionable service as an officer, expressed in days, and

LPSp is the length of the member's pensionable service as a practitioner, expressed in days, and

(b) the amount payable under Part 2 (if any) if the member's pensionable service as an officer were reduced by the discrete period of pensionable service as an officer in sub-paragraph (a).

Calculation method C N.I.

272.  Calculation method C is the aggregate of—

(a) the amount that would be payable under Part 3 if the member's pensionable earnings as a practitioner were uprated to the date of—

(i) cessation of the employment as an officer, or

(ii) retirement,

whichever is the earlier, and

(b) the amount payable under Part 2.

[F9 Calculation method D N.I.

(1) Calculation method D is the aggregate of the amounts payable under paragraphs (2), (3) and (4).

(2) The amounts payable under this paragraph are the additional amount that would be payable under Part 2 for the member’s period, or periods, of non-concurrent officer service (described in regulation 269A of this Part) in respect of the member’s pension and any retirement lump sum payable—

(a) as a result of the member exercising the option under regulation 185, and

(b) in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the lump sum paid to that Optant under regulation 260K,

if those amounts were each subject to a 1.5% increase for each whole year or part of a year within the increment period.

• This is subject to paragraph (5).

(3) The amounts payable under this paragraph are the amounts that would be payable under Part 2 for the member’s period, or periods, of non-concurrent officer service (described in regulation 269A of this Part), were it not for the additional amounts calculated under paragraph (2).

(4) The amounts payable under this paragraph are the amounts payable under Chapter 4 of Part 3.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a) the increase referred to in that paragraph shall—

(i) be applied in like manner and at the same intervals as an increase applied to a pension under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, and

(ii) be effective immediately before the pension and lump sum become payable with the member’s benefits from practitioner service under Chapter 4 of Part 3; and

(b) the increment period referred to in paragraph (2) shall—

(i) begin with the day immediately following the day on which the officer service referred to in paragraph (2) ceased for the last time, and

(ii) end with the day immediately before the pension and retirement lump sum become payable with the member’s benefits from practitioner service under Chapter 4 of Part 3.]

Textual Amendments

F9 Reg. 272A added (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 103

CHAPTER 3 N.I. MODIFICATION OF BENEFITS

Members' retirement benefits N.I.

Top-up where reference amount greater than base amount N.I.

273.—(1) Where the reference amount calculated in any of regulations 264 to [F10 269A] is greater than the base amount, a top-up amount is payable.

(2) The top-up amount is equal to the aggregate of the amounts by which the reference amount is greater than the base amount in each of regulations 264 to [F10 269A] (where applicable).

(3) The top-up amount provided for under this regulation shall be treated as forming part of the member's pension for the purposes of increases payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, and shall be increased in similar manner to pensions payable under Parts 2 and 3.

Textual Amendments

F10 Word in reg. 273(1)(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), regs. 1(2), 104

Death benefits N.I.

Death benefits where member entitled to top-up N.I.

274.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to any benefit payable under Chapter 5 of Part 2 (death benefits) and Chapter 5 of Part 3 (death benefits) where the deceased member is (or would have been) entitled to a top-up amount under regulation 273.

(2) In calculating the amount of the benefit payable under Chapter 5 of Part 2, where that benefit is expressed to be a percentage or fraction of a pension that was in payment at the date of death of a member, or a percentage or fraction of a pension to which a deceased member would have become entitled in a particular circumstance, that pension shall be treated as being the pension payable to the member had no benefit been payable in respect of any discrete period of pensionable service as an officer that gives rise to a top-up payment under regulation 273.

(3) In calculating the amount of the benefit payable under Chapter 5 of Part 3, where that benefit is expressed to be a percentage or fraction of a pension that was in payment at the date of death of a member, or a percentage or fraction of a pension to which a deceased member would have become entitled in a particular circumstance, that pension shall be treated as being the sum of—

(a) the pension payable under Part 3, and

(b) the top-up amount payable under regulation 273, inclusive of any increase payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 pursuant to paragraph (3) of that regulation.

CHAPTER 4 N.I. GENERAL MODIFICATIONS

45 year service limit N.I.

Pensionable service limit N.I.

275.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), in determining whether or not a member has reached 45 years of pensionable service for the purposes of regulation 7, the amount of pensionable service accrued under Part 3 shall be included in the aggregate calculated under paragraph (1) of that regulation.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), in determining whether or not a member has reached 45 years of pensionable service for the purposes of regulation 139, the amount of pensionable service accrued under Part 2 shall be included in the aggregate calculated under paragraph (1) of that regulation.

(3) Where a person is concurrently in officer service and practitioner service in any year, that year shall count as a single year for the purpose of calculating 45 years pensionable service.

(4) Where the aggregate of pensionable service under Part 2 and Part 3 is in excess of 45 years—

(a) benefits under each of Part 2 and Part 3 shall be calculated by reference to such number of years as the Department determines;

(b) the aggregate of pensionable service under Part 2 and Part 3 determined in sub-paragraph (a) shall be 45 years; and

(c) the Department shall select the years by reference to which the benefits under each Part are to be calculated, selecting the years which produce the most favourable result to the member.

[F11 (5) Where a member is also a member of the [F12 1995 Section] , any reference in this Part to “45 years” shall be taken to be a reference to a shorter period determined by the formula—

where—

• SP is the shorter period, measured in years and days, and

• LSS is the length of superannuable service (within the meaning of the 1995 Regulations), measured in years and days, giving rise to membership of the [F12 1995 Section] and, in the case of a member of [F13 that Section] who has become entitled to a pension (including a preserved pension) under [F13 that Section] , including any period that was taken into account for the purpose of determining whether the member was entitled to that pension, or for the purpose of calculating the amount of that pension.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Reg. 275(5) added (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) and Health and Personal Social Services (Injury Benefits) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/65), regs. 1(2), 82 (with reg. 89)

F12 Words in reg. 275(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 2

F13 Words in reg. 275(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 3

Claims and notices N.I.

Applications, claims and notices N.I.

276.  An application or claim made or a notice given for the purposes of a regulation listed in column 1 of the following table shall be treated as an application or claim made or notice given for the purposes of the corresponding regulation in column 2 (and vice versa).

Table

[F14 Column 1	Column 2
Regulation in Part 2	Regulation in Part 3
45	176
52	182
54	184
58	185
59	186
62	189
68	195
87	214
94	221
95	222]

Textual Amendments

F14 Reg. 276 Table substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) and Health and Personal Social Services (Injury Benefits) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/65), regs. 1(2), 83 (with reg. 89)

Abatement N.I.

Reduction of pension N.I.

277.—(1) The pension payable under Part 3 shall be reduced in accordance with Chapter 8 but with the following modifications—

(a) relevant income shall include the enhancement amount determined under regulation 118(2); and

(b) where a practitioner becomes entitled to receive a pension under Part 3 and in the 12 months preceding the date on which the member becomes so entitled also held concurrent pensionable employment as an officer, the member's previous earnings in respect of the member's practitioner service shall be increased by the amount of the member's previous pay in respect of the member's officer service.

(2) Where the reduction applied under the modified Part 3 is not the full amount of the excess determined under that modified Part, such part of the excess as has not given rise to a reduction in the old service pension in Part 3 shall be the excess for the purposes of regulation 117(3).