The Police Service of Northern Ireland Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These regulations amend the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions Regulations 1988 and the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions (Purchase of Increased Benefits) Regulations 1988.

Regulation 2 amends the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions Regulations 1988. Regulation 2(2) to (4) applies in relation to an applicant to the Police Service of Northern Ireland who is assessed as being likely to be disproportionately expensive to the Police Service of Northern Ireland Pension Scheme by reason of a medical condition which will lead to his retirement. Such a person will be ineligible for early payment of an ordinary pension, for payment of an ill-health pension on compulsory retirement, and for early payment of deferred pension because of permanent disablement.

Regulation 2(5) provides that such a person will pay a correspondingly reduced rate of pension contributions.

Regulation 2(6) provides that the restrictions on eligibility for pension awards may also apply to a person who, having previously elected to pay pension contributions, decides to cancel that election.

Regulation 2(7) provides for the process whereby a person may be assessed as presenting high risk of retirement on the grounds that he is permanently disabled such that the cost of providing benefits would be disproportionately high. Provision is made for appeals against such a medical assessment.

Regulation 3 makes consequential amendments to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions (Purchase of Increased Benefits) Regulations 1988. A person who has been assessed as presenting a disproportionately high risk of retirement will be ineligible for receiving additional benefits if he retires on ill-health grounds, and the amount of the payments he makes for any increased benefits will be determined by the Government Actuary.