Pension Schemes Act 1993

Part I U.K. Preliminary

1 Categories of pension schemes. U.K.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

• “occupational pension scheme” means any scheme or arrangement which is comprised in one or more instruments or agreements and which has, or is capable of having, effect in relation to one or more descriptions or categories of employments so as to provide benefits, in the form of pensions or otherwise, payable on termination of service, or on death or retirement, to or in respect of earners with qualifying service in an employment of any such description or category;

• “personal pension scheme” means any scheme or arrangement which is comprised in one or more instruments or agreements and which has, or is capable of having, effect so as to provide benefits, in the form of pensions or otherwise, payable on death or retirement to or in respect of [F1 earners (whether employed or self-employed)] who have made arrangements with the trustees or managers of the scheme for them to become members of it;

• “public service pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme established by or under an enactment or the Royal prerogative or a Royal charter, being a scheme—

  (a)

  all the particulars of which are set out in, or in a legislative instrument made under, an enactment, Royal warrant or charter, or

  (b)

  which cannot come into force, or be amended, without the scheme or amendment being approved by a Minister of the Crown or government department [F2 or by the Scottish Ministers],

  and includes any occupational pension scheme established, with the concurrence of the Treasury, by or with the approval of any Minister of the Crown [F3 or established by or with the approval of the Scottish Ministers] and any occupational pension scheme prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State and the Treasury jointly as being a scheme which ought in their opinion to be treated as a public service pension scheme for the purposes of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 1 substituted (11.11.1999 for specified purposes, 25.4.2000 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30), s. 89(5)(a), Sch. 2 para. 3(1); S.I. 2000/1047, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

F2 Words in s. 1 inserted (1.7.1999) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Consequential Modifications) (No.2) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1820), Sch. 2 para. 113(a) (with art. 5); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

F3 Words in s. 1 inserted (1.7.1999) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Consequential Modifications) (No.2) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1820), Sch. 2 para. 113(b) (with art. 5); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

Commencement Information

I1 Ss. 1-187 in force at 7.2.1994 by S.I. 1994/86, art. 2