The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 2018

Citation and commencement S

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 2018 and come into force on 1st June 2018.

Interpretation S

2.—(1) In these Regulations, except where the context otherwise requires, the meaning of the words or expression in Column 1 is given in Column 2 of the table below—

Column 1 (words or expression)	Column 2 (meaning or reference to provision where meaning is to be found)
The 1993 Act	The Pension Schemes Act 1993 M1 ;
The 1999 Act	The Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 M2 ;
The 2004 Act	The Finance Act 2004 M3 ;
The 2014 Act	The Taxation of Pensions Act 2014 M4 ;
The 2009 Regulations	Registered Pension Schemes (Authorised Payments) Regulations 2009 M5 ;
The 2011 Regulations	The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2011 M6 ;
The 2013 Regulations	The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (2008 Section) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 M7 ;
The 2015 Regulations	The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015 M8 ;
The AVC scheme	The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme, the rules of which are set out in these Regulations;
Appropriate rights	The rights which are described in paragraph 5 of schedule 5 of the 1999 Act (pension credits: mode of discharge, appropriate rights);
Approved Scheme	A retirement benefit scheme approved under chapter 1 of Part XIV of the Taxes Act (retirement benefit schemes);
Authorised fund	A fund managed by—
	(a) an authorised provider selected by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of these Regulations; or (b) any successor, transmittee or assignee of any person in paragraph (a) who is—
	(i) an authorised provider; and (ii) approved by the Scottish Ministers;
Authorised provider	The meaning given by section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972;
Child	A person who qualifies for—
	(a) a dependent child's allowance under regulation H2 of the 2011 Regulations; (b) a surviving dependent child's pension under regulation 2.E.8 or 3.E.8 of the 2013 Regulations as the case may be; or (c) a surviving child's pension under regulation 120 of the 2015 Regulations;
Civil partner and civil partnership	To be construed in accordance with regulation 3;
Contributor	A person in respect of whom an election under regulation 4(1) has effect;
Date of retirement	The date on which benefits become payable to the participator under— (a) regulations E1 (normal retirement pension) to E12 (preserved pension) of the 2011 Regulations; (b) regulation 2.D.1 (normal retirement pension), 2.D.4 (early payment of pension with actuarial reduction), 2.D.5 (partial retirement)(member at least 55)), 2.D.8 (early retirement on ill health (active members)) 2.D.10 (early retirement on ill health (deferred members)), 2.D.11 (early retirement on termination of employment by the employing authority), regulation 3.D.1 (normal retirement pension), 3.D.4 (early payment of pension with actuarial reduction), 3.D.5 (partial retirement)(member at least 55)), 3.D.7 (early retirement on ill health (active members)) 3.D.9 (early retirement on ill health (deferred members)) of the 2013 regulations; (c) regulations 72, 78, 80, 81, 83, 89 or 93 of the 2015 regulations; or (d) in the case of a benefit referred to in regulation 12(1)(d) of these Regulations, a commencement date that the participator requests that is on or after the participator's normal minimum pension age: for these purposes, normal minimum retirement age has the meaning given in section 279(1) of the 2004 Act,
	as the case may be;
Dependant	(a) a surviving spouse of a participator (providing the marriage was not, prior to 1st April 1995, subject to an order of judicial separation); (b) any surviving child of a participator; (c) any person in whose favour a participator has made an election under—
	(i) regulation J1 (allocation of pension by member for benefit of dependant) of the 2011 Regulations; (ii) regulation 2.D.17 or 3.D.13 (election to allocate pension) of the 2013 Regulations; or (iii) regulation 50 of the 2015 Regulations;
		as the case may be; or
	(d) a surviving civil partner or surviving [F1 scheme partner] of a participator;
Dependant's pension	A pension which becomes payable to a dependant on the death of a participator;
Eligible member	The meaning given by section 101P(1) of the 1993 Act;
The Index	At any time means the Retail Prices Index as published by the Office of National Statistics, for the calendar month three months prior to that time;
Insurance company	(a) a person who has permission under Part 4A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 M9 to effect or carry out contracts of long-term insurance; or (b) an EEA firm of the kind mentioned in paragraph 5(d) of schedule 3 of that Act which has permission under paragraph 15 of that schedule (as a result of qualifying for authorisation under paragraph 12 (1) of that schedule to effect or carry out contracts of long-term insurance);
	To be construed with with—
	(a) section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000; (b) any relevant order under that section; and (c) schedule 2 of that Act;
Lifetime allowance	To be construed in accordance with Part 4 of the 2004 Act (pension schemes etc);
Lump sum death benefit	A lump sum which will become payable in the event of a person's death while paying contributions to provide for it;
Marriage	Marriage other than marriage of a same sex couple unless otherwise provided;
NHS Pension Scheme	The National Health Service Pension Scheme for Scotland, the rules of which are set out in the 2011 Regulations (the 1995 Section), the 2013 Regulations (the 2008 Section) and the 2015 Regulations (the 2015 scheme);
Normal benefit age	(a) in the case of a person whose pension arrangements were governed by 2011 Regulations at the date on which the person's election under [F2 regulation 4] took effect, the age of 60; (b) in the case of a person whose pension arrangements are governed by the 2013 Regulations, the age of 65; (c) in the case of a person whose pension arrangements are governed by the 2015 Regulations—
	(i) the person's state pension age; or (ii) if higher, the age of 65;
Occupational pension scheme	The meaning given by section 1 of the 1993 Act;
Participator	(a) a contributor who has made a benefits election under regulation 12(9); (b) a contributor who has died; (c) a person who has ceased to be a contributor but has not exercised any right to take a cash equivalent within the meaning of section 94 of the 1993 Act or to be paid a lump sum under regulation 14; or (d) a person in respect of whom investments have been made under regulations 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4);
Pension commencement lump sum	A lump sum for the purposes of Part I of schedule 29 of the 2004 Act not exceeding 25 per cent of the proceeds of any investment made under regulation 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4);
Pension credit	A credit under section 29(1)(b) of the 1999 Act and includes a credit under corresponding Northern Ireland legislation;
Pension credit benefit	The meaning given by section 101B of the 1993 Act;
Pension credit member	The meaning given by section 124(1) of the Pensions Act 1995;
Pension credit rights	The meaning given by section 101B of the 1993 Act;
Pensionable employment	NHS employment in respect of which a person contributes to the NHS Pension Scheme for Scotland or such other employment as the Scottish Ministers may approve for the purposes of a direction under section 7 of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 M10 or a determination under section 25(5) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 M11 ;
Pensionable service	To be construed in accordance with whichever of the following is applicable—
	(a) regulation C2 (meaning of “pensionable service”) of the 2011 Regulations; (b) regulation 2.A.3 (meaning of “pensionable service”), 2.A.4 (meaning of “pensionable service”: part-time service) or 3.A.3 (meaning of “pensionable service”) of the 2013 Regulations; or (c) regulation 20 of the 2015 Regulations;
Registered pension scheme	The meaning given by section 150(2) of the 2004 Act;
Retirement	To be construed in accordance with whichever of the following is applicable—
	(a) the 2011 Regulations; (b) the 2013 Regulations; or (c) the 2015 Regulations;
Salary	All salary, wages, fees and other payments paid or made to a person in respect of the employment of that person;
Scheme Partner	[F3 A person (“P”) is the scheme partner of a participator if—
	(a) the participator and P are living together as if they were husband and wife or civil partners, (b) the participator and P are not prevented from marrying or entering into a civil partnership, (c) the participator and P are financially interdependent or the person is financially dependent on the contributor, and (d) neither the participator nor P is living with a third person as if they were husband and wife or as if they were civil partners.]
Surviving scheme partner	[F4 A person is a surviving scheme partner of a participator if the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that for a continuous period of at least two years, ending with the participator’s death, the person was the scheme partner of that participator.]
Widow and Widower	Does not include a reference to marriage of a same sex couple.

(2) Subject to paragraph (1) and except where the context otherwise requires, other expressions in these Regulations have the same meaning as in whichever of the 2011 Regulations, the 2013 Regulations or the 2015 Regulations as are applicable in the circumstances.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with effect from 1 June 2018) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/102), regs. 1(2)(5), 53(2)(a)

F2 Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (1.4.2019) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/46), regs. 1, 17

F3 Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with effect from 1 June 2018) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/102), regs. 1(2)(5), 53(2)(b)

F4 Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with effect from 1 June 2018) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/102), regs. 1(2)(5), 53(2)(c)

Marginal Citations

M1 1993 c.48.

M2 1999 c.30.

M3 2004 c.12.

M4 2014 c.30.

M5 S.I. 2009/1171.

M6 S.S.I. 2011/117 as amended by S.S.I. 2011/173.

M7 S.S.I. 2013/174.

M8 S.S.I 2015/94.

M9 2000 c.8.

M10 1967 c.28.

M11 2013 c.25.

Civil partnerships and marriage of same sex couples S

3.—(1) In these Regulations a reference to—

(a) civil partnership is to be read as including a reference to marriage of a same sex couple and a reference to civil partners or to a person who is in a civil partnership is to be construed accordingly;

(b) a person who is living with another person as if they were in a civil partnership is to be read as including a reference to a person who is living with another person of the same sex as if they were married.

(2) Where paragraph (1) requires a reference to be read in a particular way, any related reference (such as a reference to a civil partnership that has ended, a reference to a person whose civil partnership has ended, or a reference to persons formerly living together as civil partners) is to be read accordingly.

(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), it does not matter how a reference is expressed.

(4) In this regulation, “civil partnership” and “civil partners” have the meanings given by section 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 M12 .

Marginal Citations

M12 2004 c.33.

Making and acceptance of elections S

4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), a person in pensionable employment may elect to pay contributions under these Regulations—

(a) for investment under regulation 8(1) to provide for one or more of the benefits referred to in regulation 12(1); and

(b) for investment under regulation 8(2) to provide for a lump sum death benefit.

(2) An election under paragraph (1) may relate to contributions to be paid by, or on behalf of, the contributor or contributions to be paid by the contributor's employer or both.

(3) An election under paragraph (1) does not have effect if the person making it is on leave of absence from work due to ill-health on the date on which the notice of such an election is received by the Scottish Ministers.

(4) An election under paragraph (1) must be made by giving written notice to the Scottish Ministers specifying—

(a) whether the election relates to paragraph (1) (a) or (b), or both;

(b) the amount of the contributions; and

(c) in relation to contributions for the purposes of investment under regulation 8(1), the authorised fund or funds in which the contributions are to be invested,

and, subject to paragraph (5), must be accepted by them.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must not accept an election under paragraph (1)—

(a) where any limit imposed by regulations 5(3) or 13(2) (limits on contributions) would be exceeded; or

(b) in the case of an election under paragraph (1)(b) to provide for a lump sum on death, unless satisfied that the election is made in accordance with the requirements of regulation 18(2) and that at the time of making an election the person is in good health and that there is no reason why the health of the person so electing should prevent that person from making contributions.

(6) In the case of a person whose membership of the NHS Pension Scheme is governed by the 2011 Regulations, subject to paragraph (5)(b) above and regulation 5(3) where contributions are paid until the contributor's 60th birthday and the contributor does not then cease to be in pensionable employment, an election may be made to pay further contributions up to the contributor's 61st birthday to provide for a lump sum death benefit; and so long as the contributor has not ceased to be in pensionable employment, further elections may be made annually in respect of subsequent years.

(7) In the case of a person whose membership of the NHS Pension Scheme is governed by the 2013 Regulations, subject to paragraph (5)(b) and regulation 5(3)—

(a) the contributor may elect for further contributions to be paid until reaching the 66th birthday of that contributor where contributions are paid for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)—

(i) until the contributor reaches their 65th birthday; and

(ii) on reaching their 65th birthday the contributor continues to be in pensionable employment; and

(b) a person to whom paragraph (a) applies may continue to elect annually for further contributions to be paid provided that person continues to be in pensionable employment.

(8) A person whose membership of the NHS Pension Scheme F5 ... is governed by the 2015 Regulations and who is in pensionable employment may, upon attaining normal benefit age—

(a) where contributions have been paid for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), elect for further contributions to be paid for 12 months beyond the attainment of normal benefit age; and

(b) continue to elect annually for further contributions to be paid provided that person remains in pensionable employment.

(9) Paragraph (8) is subject to—

(a) an election referred to in that paragraph being permitted under the arrangement that the person has with an authorised provider; and

(b) paragraph (5)(b).

(10) For the purposes of paragraph (1), (6), (7) or (8), an election has effect from the date when the election is accepted by the Scottish Ministers.

(11) The Scottish Ministers must notify in writing a person who has made an election under paragraph (1) of the Scottish Ministers' acceptance of that election.

Textual Amendments

F5 Word in reg. 4(8) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/46), regs. 1, 18

Payment and amount of additional voluntary contributions. S

5.—(1) Contributions under these Regulations may be made by way of weekly, monthly or quarterly payments or by way of a single payment.

(2) The contributor's employer may deduct any amount payable by the contributor from the contributor's salary, and such deductions are to commence in respect of the first whole pay period falling after the date the employer receives authorisation from the authorised provider to make those deductions and must be remitted to the Scottish Ministers as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 7 days after their deduction.

(3) In any period of 12 months beginning on 6th April the total contributions payable by the contributor must not exceed 100 per cent of the amount which represents the contributor's salary from NHS employment less the total of any contributions paid by the contributor in respect of that year under the 2011 Regulations, the 2013 Regulations or the 2015 Regulations, as the case may be.

(4) In this regulation—

“employer” has the same meaning as “employing authority” in the 2011 Regulations, the 2013 Regulations or the 2015 Regulations (as the case may be) and, where the context requires, includes contracting health board (as defined in any of those Regulations); and

“salary” includes pensionable pay and pensionable earnings within the meaning of the 2011 Regulations, the 2013 Regulations or the 2015 Regulations (as the case may be).

Variation and cancellation of elections S

6.—(1) A contributor who has elected under regulation 4(1)(a) to pay contributions for the purpose of investment under regulation 8(1) may at any time by giving written notice to the Scottish Ministers—

(a) subject to regulation 5(3), alter the amount of the contributions;

(b) require the whole or part of them to be invested in future in some other authorised fund;

(c) require the Scottish Ministers to realise the whole or part of any investments made and to reinvest the proceeds in some other authorised fund; or

(d) cancel the election.

(2) A contributor who has elected under regulation 4(1)(b) to pay contributions to provide a lump sum death benefit under regulation 8(2) may at any time by giving written notice to the Scottish Ministers—

(a) subject to regulation 5(3) and provided the contributor is not absent from work or the health of such person is such that the Scottish Ministers would not accept an election under regulation 4(1)(b), elect that a specified larger sum is to be secured and the contributions increased accordingly; or

(b) cancel the election.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must give effect as soon as is reasonably practicable to the terms of any notice given under this regulation.

Circumstances in which elections cease to have an affect S

7.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an election ceases to have effect—

(a) where a contributor leaves pensionable employment;

(b) where a contributor ceases to be in pensionable employment by virtue of an election under regulation B4 of the 2011 Regulations, regulation 2.B.6 or 3.B.6 of the 2013 Regulations or regulation 15(2) of the 2015 Regulations (all of which deal with opting-out of the scheme in question), as the case may be; or

(c) in the case of a contributor who, at the time of making the election, was subject to the 2011 Regulations, the 2013 Regulations or the 2015 Regulations and who receives payment of all of their benefits under those particular Regulations.

(2) A contributor whose election ceases in accordance with paragraph (1)(c) is not prevented from making a further election that complies with regulation 4.

(3) Where a contributor gives written notice to the Scottish Ministers for the purposes specified in regulation 6(1)(c), an election—

(a) does not cease to have effect; and

(b) continues to be subject to the normal benefit age applicable at the time it was made.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply where sub-paragraph (a) or (c) of paragraph (1) apply.

Investment of additional voluntary contributions S

8.—(1) Any contributions paid in respect of a contributor for investment under this paragraph must be invested by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with any notice under regulation 4(4) or 6(1).

(2) Any contributions paid in respect of a contributor to provide for a lump sum death benefit under this paragraph must be paid by the Scottish Ministers to an insurance company selected by them so as to secure the payment of a lump sum death benefit of the amount required by any notice under regulation 4(4) or 6(2).

Inward Transfers S

9.—(1) Where a person who enters pensionable employment has paid contributions to another additional voluntary contribution [F6 scheme] which is a registered pension scheme for the purposes of the 2004 Act, that person, whether or not becoming a contributor within the meaning of these Regulations, may, within—

(a) 12 months of entering pensionable employment; or

(b) such longer period as the Scottish Ministers may in any particular case allow,

give written notice to the Scottish Ministers that they wish the Scottish Ministers to accept from the trustees or managers of that scheme a transfer value representing at least the value of the investments derived from the contributions made by that person.

(2) Where a transfer value is accepted by the Scottish Ministers it must be invested by them, in accordance with the wishes of the person entering pensionable employment, in one or more of the authorised funds.

(3) Where a transfer value is invested under paragraph (2) the person may at any time, by giving written notice to the Scottish Ministers, require the Scottish Ministers to realise the whole or part of the sums so invested and to reinvest the proceeds in a different way.

Textual Amendments

F6 Word in reg. 9(1) inserted (1.4.2019) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/46), regs. 1, 19

Inward transfers: miss-sold pensions S

10.—(1) This regulation applies to a person to whom regulation B6 of the 2011 Regulations (opting into this Section of the scheme: mis-sold pensions) applies in respect of whom a transfer payment within the meaning of regulation N5 of those Regulations has been paid by a personal pension scheme to the Scottish Ministers.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where, at any time, a person to whom this regulation applies elects to rejoin the scheme under regulation B5 of the 2011 Regulations, that person, whether or not they become a contributor within the meaning of these Regulations, may, within 12 months of rejoining the scheme, or such longer period as the Scottish Ministers may in any particular case allow, give written notice to the Scottish Ministers that they wish the Scottish Ministers to accept, for the purposes of these Regulations, a transfer value.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), the transfer value is an amount representing the difference between—

(a) the capitalised value of the accrued rights to benefits in the personal pension scheme from which the transfer value is paid which is attributable to contributions made to that scheme by the person referred to in paragraph (1) during their opted-out service; and

(b) the amount referred to in regulation N5 of the 2011 Regulations.

(4) Where a transfer value is accepted by the Scottish Ministers it must be invested by them in accordance with the wishes of the person referred to in paragraph (1), in one or more of the authorised funds.

(5) Where a transfer value is invested under paragraph (4) the person referred to in paragraph (1) may at any time, by giving written notice to the Scottish Ministers, require the Scottish Ministers to realise the whole or part of the sums so invested and to reinvest the proceeds in a different way.

(6) In this regulation—

“opted-out service” means the period of NHS employment in respect of which the Scottish Ministers have approved an additional period of pensionable service for the purposes of regulation N5 of the 2011 Regulations; and

“personal pension scheme” has the meaning given by regulation B6(4) of the 2011 Regulations.

Outward transfers S

11.—(1) Subject to—

(a) paragraphs (2) to (7); and

(b) the cancellation, pursuant to regulation 6(1) or (2), of any election made under regulation 4(1),

the Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable after having received a notice in writing from an eligible person, requesting a transfer of the value of that person's investments made in relation to that person under regulation 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4), pay a transfer value representing the value of all such investments at that person's option to any other registered pension scheme in which the person may be participating.

(2) If the Scottish Ministers are required under paragraph (1) to make a transfer payment in circumstances where such a payment in respect of an eligible person is also provided and used in accordance with regulation M1 of the 2011 Regulations (member's right to transfer or buy-out), the Scottish Ministers must do so in accordance with the time limit specified in regulation M5 of those Regulations as if the reference in that regulation to an application were a reference to a notice referred to in paragraph (1).

(3) If the Scottish Ministers are required under paragraph (1) to make a transfer payment in circumstances where such a payment in respect of an eligible person is also provided and used in accordance with regulation 2.F.1 or 3.F.1 of the 2013 Regulations (rights to transfer value payments), the Scottish Ministers must do so in accordance with the time limit specified in, as the case may be, regulation 2.F. 4 or 3.F.4 of those Regulations as if the reference in regulation 2.F.4 or (as the case may be) 3.F.4 to an application were a reference to a notice referred to in paragraph (1).

(4) If the Scottish Ministers are required under paragraph (1) to make a transfer payment in circumstances where such a payment in respect of an eligible person is also provided and used in accordance with regulation 133 of the 2015 Regulations (rights to transfer value payment), the Scottish Ministers must do so in accordance with the time limit specified in regulation 136 of those Regulations as if the reference in that regulation to an application were a reference to a notice referred to in paragraph (1).

(5) In any case where the Scottish Ministers have directed under regulation 21 that all or part of any of an eligible person's rights to benefits under these Regulations are to be forfeited, the cash equivalent payable in respect of that person is to be reduced by the capitalised value of the rights which are to be forfeited.

(6) If disciplinary or court proceedings are commenced against the eligible person within 12 months after leaving pensionable employment and it appears to the Scottish Ministers that the proceedings may lead to all or part of that person's rights to benefits being forfeited in accordance with regulation 21, the Scottish Ministers may defer doing what is required of them under this regulation to carry out the requirements of that eligible person until 3 months after the conclusion of those proceedings (including any proceedings on appeal) where that date is later than the date which would otherwise apply by virtue of paragraph (2) to (4) above.

(7) Where the Scottish Ministers have done what is required of them to carry out the requirements of the eligible person under this regulation, the Scottish Ministers are discharged from any obligation under regulation 15 to or in respect of that person.

(8) In this regulation “eligible person” means a person—

(a) who is a contributor; and

(b) either—

(i) has not attained the age of 75 years on or before the date the notice referred to in paragraph (1) above is received by the Scottish Ministers; or

(ii) to whom regulation M6 of the 2011 Regulations, regulation 2.F.14 or 3.F.14 of the 2013 Regulations or regulation 146 of the 2015 Regulations applies.

Retirement and dependant's benefits S

12.—(1) A participator may apply some or all of the proceeds of an investment made under regulation 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4) to arrange with an insurer—

(a) payment of a lifetime annuity;

(b) payment of a lifetime annuity and a pension commencement lump sum;

(c) a lump sum commutation payment that—

(i) reflects the value of the benefits referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b); and

(ii) meets the requirements of regulations 11 and 12 of the 2009 Regulations;

(d) as from 6th April 2015, any payment to the participator or a dependant of the participator that complies with the requirements of the 2014 Act; and

(e) a lifetime allowance excess lump sum referred to in section 166(g) of the 2004 Act.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to paragraphs (11) to (14) and regulations 15(6) to (8).

(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), an authorised provider selected by the Scottish Ministers must provide a participator with an option to receive benefits under paragraph (1)(a) to (c).

(4) Any annuity payable in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) or (b) must—

(a) be incapable, in whole or in part, of surrender, assignation or commutation;

(b) commence not earlier than the participator's date of retirement for the purposes of, as the case may be, the 2011 Regulations, the 2013 Regulations or the 2015 Regulations; and

(c) be payable to the participator for life.

(5) Any dependant's pension which is payable in respect of a participator is payable only on the death of the participator after the participator's retirement and is, subject to paragraph (7), payable to the dependant for life.

(6) A lump sum commutation payment referred to in paragraph (1)(c) may be paid in respect of benefits payable under paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (d).

(7) In the case of a person who is a child to whom—

(a) Part H of the 2011 Regulations (child allowance) applies;

(b) regulation 2.E.9 or 3.E.9 of the 2013 Regulations (meaning of dependent child) applies; or

(c) regulation 121 of the 2015 Regulations (eligible child) applies,

a pension referred to in paragraph (5) ceases to be payable when that person ceases to be a dependent child within the meaning of whichever of the Regulations referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) – (c) applies.

(8) An authorised provider selected by the Scottish Ministers, in addition to providing a participator with benefits options under paragraph (1), may from 6th April 2015 provide a participator or a participator's dependant with alternative benefits options under paragraph (1)(d).

(9) A participator must, not earlier than 3 months before the date from which the participator wishes benefits under these Regulations to be provided, make a benefits election to the Scottish Ministers specifying—

(a) whether and which benefits are to be provided under paragraph (3) or paragraph (8);

(b) the authorised provider who is to provide each benefit;

(c) for whom, if anyone, a dependant's benefit is to be provided;

(d) if more than one benefit is to be provided, either—

(i) the proportion of the amount secured by the total investments made under regulation 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4) that is to be applied to the purchase or arrangement of each of them; or

(ii) the dependants' benefits to be provided expressed as a percentage of the participator's benefits;

(e) in respect of every annuity to be provided—

(i) the annual rate of the annuity;

(ii) whether it is to be payable for life or for a fixed period;

(iii) whether its rate is to be fixed or vary in accordance with the Index or increase yearly by a specified percentage or (if lower) increase by the increase in the Index for the year in question; and

(iv) as from 6th April 2015, whether the rate may reduce; and

(f) in the case of a participator who chooses a life-time annuity referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) and who dies within the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which the annuity commences, whether, if the annuity had continued at the rate in force at the time of the participator's death, a lump sum is to be paid in accordance with regulation 16(3): the lump sum referred to in this sub-paragraph is a lump sum equal to the balance that would have been payable during the remainder of that period.

(10) More than one benefits election may be made under paragraph (9) and must—

(a) be in writing; and

(b) contain such information as the Scottish Ministers request.

(11) Upon receipt of a notice of election under paragraph (9), the Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable, realise investments made under regulations 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4) and apply the proceeds in the manner specified in the applicable regulation.

(12) Where a participator dies before retirement or after retirement but before the benefits under this regulation are paid, investments made under regulations 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4) must be realised and are payable as a lump sum in accordance with regulation 15(3).

(13) The Scottish Ministers may realise investments made under regulations 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4) and apply the proceeds to the purchase of benefits under these Regulations from an insurer in such form as appears to the Scottish Ministers to be suitable where the conditions in paragraph (14) are satisfied.

(14) Those conditions are—

(a) the participator's retirement date falls on or after 1st December 1999; and

(b) the participator has attained the age of 75 and has not given a notice of election under paragraph (9) before doing so.

(15) Paragraph (13) applies notwithstanding that benefits are payable to the participator under—

(a) Part E of the 2011 Regulations (benefits for members);

(b) regulation 2.D.1, 2.D.4, 2.D.5, 2.D.8, 2.D.10, 2.D.11, 3.D.1, 3.D.4, 3.D.5, 3.D.7 or 3.D.9 of the 2013 Regulations (normal retirement pensions, actuarially reduced pensions, ill health pensions and early retirement pensions); or

(c) regulation 72, 78, 80, 81, 83, 89 or 93 of the 2015 Regulations (age retirement, early retirement, premature retirement, partial retirement and ill-health pensions).

Lump sum on Death S

13.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if a contributor who has elected under regulation 4(1)(b) to pay contributions to provide for a lump sum death benefit dies, the lump sum is payable.

(2) Any lump sum payable under paragraph (1) must not exceed the amount permitted in accordance with Part 2 of schedule 29 of the 2004 Act.

Repayment of investments in certain cases S

14.—(1) In the case of a person who—

(a) ceases to be employed in pensionable employment;

(b) has applied for a refund of contributions under—

(i) regulation E15 of the 2011 Regulations (early leavers' entitlement to refund of contributions);

(ii) regulation 2.C.18 or 3.C.16 of the 2013 Regulations (repayment of contributions); or

(iii) regulation 39 of the 2015 Regulations (eligibility for refund); and

(c) has applied for and received such a refund of contributions,

the Scottish Ministers must make arrangements for that person, subject to paragraph (2), to receive a lump sum representing the total realisable value of the investments made by the Scottish Ministers in respect of that person under regulation 8(1), 9(2) or 10(4) less the amount of tax chargeable under the 2004 Act in accordance with regulation 15(4).

(2) Where, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1), contributions have been made by an employer, the Scottish Ministers must make arrangements for that employer to receive a lump sum representing the total realisable value of the investments made by the Scottish Ministers in respect of contributions made by that employer under regulation 8(1) less the amount of tax chargeable under the 2004 Act.

Payments by the Scottish Ministers S

15.—(1) Where an authorised provider or a selected authorised provider fails to pay a benefit referred to in [F7 regulation 12(1)] or a lump sum benefit referred to in regulation 13, the Scottish Ministers are liable to pay that amount.

(2) Where, on or after 1st June 2018, a participator or a person entitled to a pension credit elects for benefits to be provided by an authorised provider other than the one selected by the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Ministers are not be liable under paragraph (1).

(3) Lump sums payable as mentioned in regulation 12(8)(f) and (12) and regulation 13, or paragraphs 3(2), 8 or 9 of the schedule, are to be paid—

(a) to the deceased's spouse or civil partner or surviving scheme partner; or

(b) to the deceased's personal executors if—

(i) there is no spouse, surviving scheme partner or civil partner; or

(ii) a notice has been given in accordance with any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (4) that the spouse, [F8 surviving scheme partner] or civil partner is not to receive the payment.

(4) The provisions referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) regulation F5 of the 2011 Regulations (payment of lump sum);

(b) regulation 2.E.22 or 3.E.22 of the 2013 Regulations (payment of lump sums or pensions on death);

(c) regulation 111 of the 2015 Regulations (lump sum on death); and

(d) paragraph 11 of the schedule.

(5) Lump sums payable under regulations 12(1)(b), (c) and (d) and 14(1) must be paid to the participator.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7) below, in the case of a participator to whom any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (7) apply, the Scottish Ministers may realise such part of the investments made under these Regulations as is derived from any contributions made by the participator's employer without purchasing an annuity and, in that event, the amount is payable to the participator as a lump sum.

(7) The provisions referred to in paragraph (6) are—

(a) regulation E1 to E12 of the 2011 Regulations;

(b) regulation 2.D.1, 2.D.4, 2.D.5, 2.D.8, 2.D.10, 2.D.11, 3.D.1, 3.D.4, 3.D.5, 3.D.7, or 3.D.9 of the 2013 Regulations; and

(c) regulation 72, 78, 80, 81, 83, 89 or 93 of the 2015 Regulations.

(8) In the case of a participator to whom any of the following provisions apply—

(a) regulation E2(8), E3(7) or E12(7) of the 2013 Regulations;

(b) regulation 2.D.15 or 3.D.11 of the 2013 Regulations; or

(c) regulation 108 of the 2015 Regulations,

the Scottish Ministers may realise the investments made under these Regulations without purchasing an annuity and, in that event, the proceeds are payable to the participator as a lump sum.

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in reg. 15(1) substituted (1.4.2019) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/46), regs. 1, 20

F8 Words in reg. 15(3)(b) substituted (with effect from 1 June 2018) by The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/102), regs. 1(2)(5), 54

Information S

16.—(1) Persons making elections under these Regulations, and their employers, must give the Scottish Ministers such information as they may reasonably require for the purposes of their functions under these Regulations.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), a person making—

(a) an election under regulation 4(1)(b) or (6) to provide a lump sum death benefit; or

(b) an election under regulation 6(2)(a),

must give the Scottish Ministers such information about their health as the Scottish Ministers may reasonably require.

(3) Where a person is entitled to a benefit under these Regulations, that person must (whether or not intending to rely on entitlement to an enhanced lifetime allowance or to enhanced protection) give to the authorised provider such information as will enable the authorised provider to determine—

(a) whether any lifetime allowance is payable in respect of the benefit; and

(b) the amount of that charge payable.

(4) If a person applying for a benefit under these Regulations intends to rely on entitlement to an enhanced lifetime allowance by virtue of any of the provisions listed in section 256(1) of the 2004 Act (enhanced lifetime allowance regulations), that person must give to the authorised provider—

(a) the reference number issued by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs under the Registered Pension Schemes (Enhanced Lifetime Allowance) Regulations 2006 M13 in respect of that entitlement; and

(b) the information referred to in paragraph (3).

(5) The information referred to in paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) must be given to the authorised provider—

(a) at the time the person makes a claim for a benefit; or

(b) where that information has not been provided at the time of making the claim, within such time as the authorised provider specifies in writing.

(6) Where the person fails to provide all, or part of, the information referred to in paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) within the time limits specified by the authorised provider where relevant, the authorised provider may treat the whole of the benefit as a chargeable benefit and the charge may be paid on that basis.

Marginal Citations

M13 S.I. 2006/131.

Payments in respect of deceased persons S

17.—(1) This regulation applies where a person dies and the total of—

(a) any sums that were due to that person under these Regulations; and

(b) any sums payable under these Regulations to the personal representatives of that person,

does not exceed the amount specified in any order for the time being in force for the purposes of section 1 of the Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965 M14 and applying in relation to the death.

(2) Where this regulation applies the Scottish Ministers may, without requiring the production of proof of title, pay any amount due under paragraph (1)(a) and (b)—

(a) to the deceased's personal representatives; or

(b) to the person, or to or among any one or more persons, appearing to them to be beneficially entitled to the estate.

(3) Any person to whom such a payment is made, and not the Scottish Ministers, is thereafter liable to account for any amount so paid.

Marginal Citations

M14 1965 c.32.

Pension sharing on divorce or nullity of marriage or dissolution or nullity of civil partnership S

18.  Schedule 1 has effect in relation to—

(a) pension credit rights; and

(b) pension credit benefit payable,

under the AVC scheme.

Benefits not assignable on bankruptcy S

19.—(1) On the bankruptcy or sequestration of a person entitled to benefit under these Regulations, no part of the benefit is to be paid to any trustee or other person acting on behalf of creditors, except as provided by paragraph (2).

(2) Where, following the bankruptcy or sequestration of any person entitled to benefit under these Regulations, a person makes or varies a debtor contribution order under section 90 or 95 of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 M15 or the court makes an income payments order under section 310 of the Insolvency Act 1986 M16 that requires the Scottish Ministers to pay all or part of the benefit to the person's trustee in bankruptcy, the Scottish Ministers must comply with that order.

Marginal Citations

M15 2016 asp 21.

M16 1986 c.45.

Offset for crime, negligence or fraud S

20.  Where, in the circumstances set out in regulation T6 of the 2011 Regulations, regulation 2.J.7 or 3.J.7 of the 2013 Regulations or paragraph 11 of schedule 3 of the 2015 Regulations, there has been a loss to public funds, the Scottish Ministers may, in relation to benefits which arise by virtue of the employer's contributions, reduce the amount of any benefit payable to or in respect of a person under these Regulations, to the extent set out, and subject to the conditions specified, in the relevant provision referred to.

Loss of rights to benefits S

21.—(1) Where paragraph (2) applies, the Scottish Ministers may direct that all or any part of any rights to benefits a person has under these Regulations and which arise by virtue of an employer's contributions paid on or after 13th July 1998 are to be forfeited.

(2) This paragraph applies where on or after 13th July 1998—

(a) that person commits and is convicted of an offence referred to in—

(i) regulation T7 of the 2011 Regulations (loss of rights to benefits);

(ii) regulation 2.J.8 or 3.J.8 of the 2013 Regulations (forfeiture of rights to benefits); or

(iii) paragraph 12 of schedule 3 of the 2015 Regulations (forfeiture of rights to benefits); and

(b) the circumstances are such that a direction may be made by the Scottish Ministers under whichever of the provisions in sub-paragraph (a) applies.

Determination of a person's rights and liabilities S

22.—(1) The Scottish Ministers must determine any question concerning any person's rights or liabilities under these Regulations and their decision is final.

(2) Any dispute is to be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedure issued from time to time by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with section 50 of the Pensions Act 1995 M17 .

Marginal Citations

M17 1995 c.26.

Tax S

23.—(1) Benefits payable under these Regulations are to be paid net of any tax due under the 2004 Act.

(2) For the purposes of the 2004 Act, the administrator of the AVC scheme is the Scottish Ministers.

Option to persons detrimentally affected by these Regulations S

24.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to any benefit which is being paid or may become payable under these Regulations to or in respect of a person who—

(a) served in an employment or office which qualified the person to participate in the benefits provided under the regulations amended by these Regulations; and

(b) ceased to serve in that employment or office before 1st June 2018.

(2) Where, in a case to which this regulation applies, any provision of these Regulations would operate in relation to any person so as to place that person in a worse position than that person would have been in if that provision had not applied, that person may elect that the provision does not apply by giving notice in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) A notice given pursuant to paragraph (2) is to be in writing and to be delivered to the Scottish Ministers by 1st June 2018 or such longer period as the Scottish Ministers may allow.

(4) An election pursuant to paragraph (2) is to have effect in relation to the benefit referred to in paragraph (1) only to the extent that such benefit has accrued by virtue of periods of service rendered prior to the cessation referred to in paragraph (1) (or, if there has been more than one such cessation, the last of them before 1st June 2018) and in determining entitlement to, and the amount of, the benefit to that extent, a person is to be treated as if that person had never recommenced service at any time after that cessation (or, as the case may be, the last such cessation).

Revocations S

25.  The instruments specified in schedule 2 are revoked (but where an extent is specified, only to the extent specified in that schedule).

DEREK MACKAY

A member of the Scottish Government

St Andrew's House,

Edinburgh

We consent

ANDREW STEPHENSON

DAVID RUTLEY

Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury