The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2008

Member’s option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pension

3.C.6—(1) An active member may opt to make additional periodical contributions by monthly instalments during the contribution option period–

(a) to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 3.D (members' retirement benefits) (including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member’s pension for 3 or 6 months under Chapter 3E (death benefits)); or

(b) to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners and dependent children under Chapter 3E (death benefits) in respect of the member.

(2) A member may exercise an option under paragraph (1) more than once.

(3) If a member exercises an option under paragraph (1), any regular additional contributions must be deducted from the member’s earnings, and paid to the Scottish Ministers, in the same manner as is specified in respect of C1 contributions (within the meaning of regulation 3.C.5) in relation to that member.

(4) The annual amount of the periodical contributions payable at the beginning of the contribution option period must not be–

(a) less than the minimum amount; or

(b) an amount other than a multiple of the minimum amount.

(5) In paragraph (4) “the minimum amount” means the amount that would, in accordance with tables prepared for the Scottish Ministers by the scheme actuary for the scheme year in which the contributions are paid, be the amount of the contributions required to secure an increase in the member’s pension of–

(a) £250; or

(b) such other amount as the Scottish Ministers may for the time being determine,

assuming that the contributions are made in accordance with the option for the remainder of the option period.

(6) The tables referred to in paragraph (5)–

(a) may specify different amounts for different descriptions of members; and

(b) may be amended during a scheme year,

but no such amendment affects the contributions payable during that year under any option, except an option under which contributions begin to be paid after the date on which the amendment takes effect.

(7) The total increase in the member’s pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of–

(a) contributions made under regulation 3.C.8; or

(b) contributions made under regulation 3.C.9,

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Scottish Ministers may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member’s pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 2.C.8 to 2.C.17).

(8) In this Part “the contribution option period”, in relation to an option under this regulation, means a period of whole years, that–

(a) is specified in the option;

(b) begins with the pay period in respect of which the first contribution is made under the option;

(c) is not less than 1 year nor more than 20 years; and

(d) does not end later than the member’s 65th birthday.