The Pensions (1995 Order) (Commencement No. 8) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order provides for the coming into operation of further provisions of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (“the Order”) on the following dates—

(a) 1st April 1997 for provisions relating to the levy, the provision of information by the Registrar of Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes and minor amendments to the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 (“the Act”), and

(b) 6th April 1997 for all the remaining provisions of the Order except Articles 42 to 46 (which were repealed by virtue of, and re-enacted in, the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1919 (N.I. 16)), 48(2) and (7) to (13), 93 and 142, paragraph 31 of Schedule 3 and the repeal of sections 31 and 32 of the Act mentioned in Part III of Schedule 5.

• This Order also makes transitional adaptations, modifications and savings.

• Article 3 makes a saving in respect of the revaluation of earnings factors for early leavers whose service in contracted-out employment terminated before 6th April 1997.

• Article 4 makes savings in respect of the termination of contracted-out or appropriate scheme status and state scheme premiums.

• Article 5 makes a transitional modification in relation to transfer values and extensions granted or refused by the Occupational Pensions Board (“the Board”).

• Article 6 makes transitional savings relating to payments to employers.

• Article 7 makes a transitional saving relating to disclosure of actuarial statements to scheme members.

• Article 8 makes a transitional saving relating to determinations by the Board in relation to the preservation requirements.

• Article 9 makes transitional savings and modifications relating to applications to modify schemes other than public service schemes.

• Article 10 makes a transitional saving relating to minimum payments and minimum contributions paid or payable before 6th April 1997.

• Article 11 makes transitional savings and modifications relating to winding up.

• Article 12 makes a transitional modification in respect of payment schedules for money purchase schemes.

• Article 13 provides for the functions of the Board under the National Insurance (Non-participation — Certificates) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1960 to be exercised by the Department of Health and Social Services.