M4.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary of State shall do what is needed to carry out what the member requires under regulation M1 (member’s right to transfer or buy-out) within 12 months after receiving the member’s application or by age 60 if that is earlier.
(2) Where regulation M2(3) applies, if the member leaves pensionable employment within six months before reaching age 59 and the Secretary of State receives the member’s application after the member reaches age 59 but within six months after the member’s leaving, the Secretary of State shall do what is needed to carry out what the member requires under regulation M1 within 6 months or by the date on which the member reaches age 60 if that is earlier.
(3) If disciplinary or court proceedings are commenced against the member within 12 months after the member leaves pensionable employment and it appears to the Secretary of State that the proceedings may lead to all or part of the member’s benefits being forfeited under regulation T6 (loss of rights to benefits), the Secretary of State may defer doing what is needed to carry out what the member requires until the date three months after the conclusion of those proceedings (including any proceedings on appeal) where that date is later than the date which would otherwise apply under paragraph (1) or (2) above.