The National Health Service Pension Scheme Regulations 1995

Changes over time for: Section L1

Version Superseded: 01/04/2015

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Preserved pensionE+W+S

L1.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a member who leaves pensionable employment before age 60 without becoming entitled to a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5 shall be entitled to receive a pension and retirement lump sum under this regulation from age 60 if—

(a)the member leaves with at least 2 years’ qualifying service, or

(b)a transfer payment has been made to [F1this Section of] the scheme in respect of the member’s rights under a personal pension scheme.

[F2(2) The pension under this regulation will be calculated–

(a)where it becomes payable by virtue of paragraph (3)(d) below, in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4) of regulation E5, as if it were a pension under that regulation; and

(b)in any other case, as described in regulation E1 [F3as if it were a pension under that regulation];

and the retirement lump sum will be calculated as described in regulation E6.]

(3) The member shall be entitled to receive the pension and retirement lump sum before age 60 if—

(a)the member is in NHS employment and the Secretary of State is satisfied that the member is suffering from mental or physical infirmity that makes him permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of that employment;

(b)the Secretary of State is satisfied that the member is suffering from mental or physical infirmity that makes him permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment [F4of like duration]; or

(c)some other pension becomes payable to the member under any of regulations E1 to E5;

[F5(d)the member—

(i)left pensionable employment after 30th March 2000,

(ii)has reached the [F6normal minimum pension age or, where relevant, protected pension age], and

(iii)has applied to the Secretary of State for payment of the pension and retirement lump sum under this regulation.]

[F7(4) Except in a case to which paragraph (4A) applies—

(a)if the member is in NHS employment at the relevant time (whether with the same or another employing authority), the pension and lump sum on retirement will not become payable until the member leaves NHS employment or, if sooner—

(i)when the member attains the age of 70, if he attains that age on or before 31st March 2008; or

(ii)when the member attains the age of 75, if he attains the age of 70 on or after 1st April 2008;

(b)the relevant time—

(i)in the case of a member to whom sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph (3) applies, is when he makes the application referred to in head (iii) of that sub-paragraph; or

(ii)in any other case, when the member attains the age of 60.]

[F8(4A) Paragraph (4) may not apply where the NHS employment which the member is in when he reaches age 60 is employment into which he has been transferred as a result of a transfer of an undertaking to the employer.

(4B) Where a member receives a pension under paragraph (1) while being in the new employment to which paragraph (4A) applies—

(a)his benefits in respect of any pensionable service in that new employment shall be calculated without regard to any pensionable service in any earlier employment;

(b)for the purposes of regulation C2 (meaning of “pensionable service”) and regulation D1(3) and (4) (contributions by members), his service in the earlier employment and in the new employment shall be aggregated.]

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where on or after the coming into force of these Regulations a member becomes entitled to a pension under paragraph (3)(a) or (b), the Secretary of State may discharge her liability for that pension by the payment of a lump sum [F9of an amount consistent with—

(a)the contracting-out and preservation requirements of the 1993 Act; and

(b)the lump sum rule].

(6) A lump sum payment under paragraph (5) may be made only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is appropriate in all the circumstances having regard to the life expectancy of the member and the member was in pensionable employment on or after the coming into force of these Regulations.

(7) For the purpose of paragraph (6), the Secretary of State may require whatever medical evidence that she considers necessary.

(8) The amount of the lump sum payable under paragraph (5) will be equal to 5 times the difference between the yearly rate of the member’s pension (calculated in accordance with this regulation) and the yearly rate of the member’s guaranteed minimum pension F10... and shall be payable in addition to the lump sum on retirement payable under this regulation, which shall not be subject to any reduction such as is described in regulation E6(3).

[F11(9) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of the member’s employment under paragraph (3)(a), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (11) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the member’s personal preferences for or against engaging in that employment.

(10) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of regular employment under paragraph (3)(b), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (12) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the factors in paragraph (13).

(11) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (9) are—

(a)whether the member has received appropriate medical treatment in respect of the incapacity;

(b)the member’s—

(i)mental capacity; and

(ii)physical capacity;

(c)such type and period of rehabilitation which it would be reasonable for the member to undergo in respect of the member’s incapacity, irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone; and

(d)any other matter which the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(12) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (10) are—

(a)whether the member has received appropriate medical treatment in respect of the incapacity; and

(b)such reasonable employment as the member would be capable of engaging in if due regard is given to the member’s—

(i)mental capacity;

(ii)physical capacity;

(iii)previous training; and

(iv)previous practical, professional and vocational experience,

irrespective of whether or not such employment is actually available to the member;

(c)such type and period of rehabilitation which it would be reasonable for the member to undergo in respect of the member’s incapacity (irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone) having regard to the member’s—

(i)mental capacity, and

(ii)physical capacity:

(d)such type and period of training which it would be reasonable for the member to undergo in respect of the member’s incapacity (irrespective of whether such traning is undergone) having regard to the member’s—

(i)mental capacity,

(ii)physical capacity,

(iii)previous training, and

(iv)previous practical, professional and vocational experience, and

(e)any other matter which the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(13) The factors to be disregarded for paragraph (10) are—

(a)the member’s personal preference for or against engaging in any particular employment; and

(b)the geographical location of the member.

(14) For the purpose of this regulation—

“appropriate medical treatment” means such medical treatment as it would be normal to receive in respect of the incapacity, but does not include any treatment that the Secretary of State considers—

(a)

that it would be reasonable for the member to refuse,

(b)

would provide no benefit to restoring the member’s capacity for—

(i)

efficiently discharging the duties of the member’s employment under paragraph (3)(a), or

(ii)

regular employment of like duration under paragraph (3)(b),

before the member reaches normal benefit age; and

(c)

that, through no fault on the part of the member, it is not possible for the member to receive before the member reaches normal benefit age;

[F12“NHS employment” does not include employment with an employing authority in respect of which the member is eligible to join the [F132008 Section];]

“permanently” means the period until normal benefit age; and

“regular employment of like duration” means—

(a)

in the case of a member who was a non-GP provider, such employment as the Secretary of State considers would involve a similar level of engagement to the member’s pensionable service as a non-GP provider immediately before that service ceased; and

(b)

in all other cases, where prior to leaving employment that was pensionable the member was employed—

(i)

on a whole-time basis, regular employment on a whole-time basis;

(ii)

on a part-time basis, regular employment on a part-time basis,

regard being had to the number of hours, half-days and sessions the member worked in that employment.]

Textual Amendments

F1Words in reg. L1(1) inserted (1.10.2009) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2446), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 1

F2Reg. L1(2) substituted (31.3.2000) by The National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/605), regs. 1(1)(a), 8(a)

F3Words in reg. L1(2)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 38(2)

F4Words in reg. L1(3)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 38(3)