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The Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

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Point in time view as at 20/12/2023.

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PART 2N.I.BENEFITS FOR OFFICERS

CHAPTER 1N.I.INTRODUCTION

General interpretationN.I.

Interpretation: generalN.I.

6.—(1) In Part I and in this Part—

[F1“2008 Section Optant” has the meaning given in regulation 136A;]

[F2“the 2010 Regulations” means the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010;]

[F3“the 2011 Act” means the Finance Act 2011;]

[F4“the 2014 Act” means the Public Service Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014;

“the 2015 Scheme” means the scheme as set out in the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015;]

“the 1972 Order” means the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 M1;

“the 1993 Act” means the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 M2;

“the 1995 Order” means the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 M3;

“the 1995 Regulations” means the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 M4;

[F1“the 1995 Section” means the section of the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme as set out in the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995;]

“the 1997 Order” means the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 M5;

“the 1999 Order” means the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 M6;

“the 2003 Order” means the General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2003 M7;

“the 2004 Order” means the General Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions (No.2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 M8;

[F5“the 2008 Act” means the Pensions (No.2 ) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;]

“the Agency” means the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for the Health and Social Services established under Article 26 of the 1972 Order;

“active member” has the meaning given in Article 121 (1) of the 1995 Order and, except where the context otherwise requires, refers to membership of [F6this Section of] the Scheme (but see regulation 49(9));

“additional pension”, in relation to a member, except where the context otherwise requires, means so much of any pension payable to a member as is payable by virtue of contributions made under regulations 34, 36 and 37;

“additional services” has the meaning given in regulation 137;

“APMS contract” means arrangements under Article 56 (2)(b) of the 1972 Order (primary medical services) between a Health and Social Services Board and an APMS contractor;

“APMS contractor” means a person—

(a)

with whom a Health and Social Services Board has made arrangements under Article 56 (2)(b) of the 1972 Order, and

(b)

who has entered into, or would be eligible to enter into, a GMS contract for the provision of primary medical services;

“assistant medical practitioner” has the meaning given in regulation 137;

[F7“automatic enrolment date” means the date referred to in section 3(7) of the 2008 Act;

“automatic re-enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 12 of the 2010 Regulations (as modified by regulation 14 of those regulations);]

“bank holiday” means any day that is specified or proclaimed as a bank holiday, pursuant to section 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 M9;

“base rate” means the Bank of England base rate—

(a)

announced from time to time by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England as the official dealing rate, being the rate at which the Bank is willing to enter into transactions for providing short term liquidity in the money markets, or

(b)

where an order under section 19 of the Bank of England Act 1998 is in force, any equivalent rate determined by Treasury under that section;

“buy-out policy” means a policy of insurance or annuity contract that is appropriate for the purposes of section 15 of the 1993 Act (extinguishment of liability of scheme for pensions secured by insurance policies or annuity contracts) and “buy out” must be read accordingly;

“capped transferred-in service” must be read in accordance with regulation 104;

“cash equivalent” is to be construed in accordance with Chapter IV of Part IV of the 1993 Act;

“CCT” means a Certificate of Completion of Training awarded under article 8 of the 2003 Order, including any such certificate awarded in pursuance of the competent authority functions of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board specified in article 20(3)(a) of that Order;

“certification services” has the meaning given in regulation 137;

“chapter” unless otherwise specified, means a chapter in this Part;

“collaborative services” has the meaning given in regulation 137;

“commissioned services” has the meaning given in regulation 137;

[F8“consumer prices index” means the all items consumer prices index published by the Statistics Board of the UK Statistics Authority for the month of February immediately preceding a relevant year;]

“contracting-out requirements” means the requirements mentioned in section 5(2) of the 1993 Act;

“contribution option period” has the meaning given in regulation 34(8);

[F9“corresponding 1995 scheme” means a corresponding health service scheme the provisions of which the Department has determined correspond to the provisions of the 1995 Regulations;

“corresponding 2008 scheme” means a corresponding health service scheme the provisions of which the Department has determined correspond to the provisions of these Regulations;]

[F10“corresponding health service scheme” means—

(a)

a superannuation scheme provided under regulations made under section 10 of the Superannuation Act 1972 and having effect in England, Wales and Scotland,

(b)

[F11a scheme made under section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1984 (an Act of Tynwald), in the case of a member who entered HSC employment on or before 1st April 2012, and]

(c)

any other occupational pension scheme approved for the purposes of this regulation by the Department;]

“deferred member” has the meaning given in section 121(1) of the 1995 Order, except where the context requires otherwise, refers to membership of [F6this Section of] the Scheme (but see paragraph (2) and regulation 49(9));

[F12“dental list” means a list kept pursuant to the Health and Personal Social Services General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993;]

[F12“dental pilot scheme employee” means an individual who, in connection with the provision of personal dental services in accordance with a pilot scheme, is employed by a person providing those services;]

“dentist performer” means a dentist who has undertaken to provide general dental services (GDS) and whose name is included in a list of dentists prepared by the Agency under regulation 4 of the Health and Personal Social Services General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 M10;

“Department” means the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety;

“dependent child” is to be construed in accordance with regulation 75;

“dispensing services” has the meaning given in regulation 137;

[F1“electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000;]

“employing authority” means—

(a)

F13...

(b)

F13...

(c)

F13...

(d)

any other body which is constituted under an Order relating to health services [F14(in whole or in part)] and which the Department agrees to treat as an employing authority for the purposes of the Scheme,

(e)

an OOH provider,

(f)

an APMS contractor,

(g)

a GMS practice,

(ga)

[F15a GP Federation which the Department agrees to treat as an employing authority for the purposes of this section of the scheme;]

(h)

a PMS practice, and

(i)

in relation to a person who is subject to a direction made under Article 12 (5) of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, and subject to such modifications to this Part as the Department may in any particular case direct, any employer of such a person whom the Department agrees to treat as an employing authority for the purposes of this Part;

(j)

[F16[F17Health and Social Care Trust (HSC Trust) established under Article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991;]

(k)

“Regional Health and Social Care Board (RHSCB)” established under section 7(1) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009;

(l)

“Regional Business Services Organisation (RBSO)” established under section 14(1) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009;

(m)

“Patient and Client Council (PCC)” established under section 16(1) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009;

(n)

“Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Wellbeing (RAPHSW)” established under section 12(1) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009]

"employment" includes an office or appointment (other than an honorary office or appointment), and related expressions are to be read accordingly;

"enhanced services" has the meaning given in regulation 137;

"essential services" has the meaning given in regulation 137;

"GDS arrangements" means arrangements for the provision of general dental services under Article 61 of the 1972 Order;

"GDS provider" is a person who is a party to GDS arrangements;

"GMS contract" means a contract under Articles 57 and 57A of the 1972 Order;

"GMS practice" means—

(a)

a registered medical practitioner [F18who is a principal medical practitioner] ,

(b)

two or more [F18such] individuals practising in partnership, or

(c)

a company limited by shares,

with whom a Health and Social Services Board has entered into a GMS contract;

[F19“GOS arrangements” has the meaning given in regulation 13 of the General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007;]

[F20“GP Federation” means a community interest company limited by guarantee, all the members of which are fully registered persons within the meaning of section 55 of the Medical Act 1983 and whose names are included in the medical performers list;]

"GP performer" means a registered medical practitioner, other than a GP Register or a locum practitioner, whose name is included in a medical performers list and who performs essential services, additional services, enhanced services, dispensing services, collaborative services, commissioned services, OOH services or certification services (or a combination of those services)—

(a)

under a GMS contract or an APMS contract,

(b)

on behalf of an OOH provider, or

(c)

under a contract of service or for services with a Health and Social Services Board which relates to arrangements under which it provides primary medical services under Article 56 of the 1972 Order;

[F19“GP provider” has the meaning given in regulation 137;]

"GP Registrar" means a medical practitioner who is being trained in general practice by a general medical practitioner who is approved under article 4(5)(d) of the 2003 Order for the purpose of providing training under article 5(1)(c)(i) of that Order, whether as part of training leading to the award of a CCT or otherwise;

"GP trainer" means a registered medical practitioner who is approved by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board under article 4(5)(d) of the 2003 Order for the purposes of providing training to a GP Registrar under article 5(1)(c)(i) of that Order;

[F12“HSC dental employee” means an individual who, in connection with the provision of health care in the health service is employed by—

(a)

a HSC Trust;

(b)

the Regional Board;

(c)

a registered dentist; or

(d)

a registered dentist who is providing personal dental services in accordance with a pilot scheme;]

"HSC employment" means employment with an employing authority;

[F12“HSC Trust” means a trust established under Article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991;]

F21...

"the guarantee date" has the meaning given in regulation 94(2);

"guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment" has the meaning given in regulation 95(3);

"guaranteed minimum pension" means guaranteed minimum pension, or accrued rights to guaranteed minimum pension, under section 10 of the 1993 Act;

[F22"host Board", in respect of a person who is a [F23principal medical practitioner] or non-GP provider who is—

(a)

a partner in a partnership—

(i)

that is a GMS practice, or

(ii)

that is an APMS contractor that has entered into an APMS contract for the provision of primary medical services;

(b)

a shareholder in a company limited by shares that is a GMS practice or an APMS contractor that has entered into an APMS contract for the provision of primary medical services;

(c)

an individual who is a GMS practice or an APMS contractor,

[F24[F25means the Regional Health and Social Care Board (RHSCB) and such a person shall be deemed to be employed by the RHSCB for the purposes of this Part, except where—

(i)

regulation 31(7) or (8) applies; or

(ii)

contributions payable pursuant to regulation 31 by an employing authority in respect of a non-GP provider: in such a case those contributions are not payable by the RHSCB but are payable by that non-GP provider or by the practice in which they are a non-GP provider;]

(d)

in respect of a dentist performer means the RHSCB.]]

"lifetime allowance", in relation to a person, has the meaning given in section 218 of the Finance Act 2004M11;

"locum practitioner" has the meaning given in regulation 137;

"lower earnings limit" must be read in accordance with section 5 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act (Northern Ireland)1992 M12;

"lump sum rule" has the meaning given in section 166 of the Finance Act 2004;

"lump sum death benefit rule" has the meaning given in section 168 of the Finance Act 2004;

"member" , except where the context otherwise requires, means an active member, [F26non-contributing member,] a deferred member, a pensioner member or a pension credit member;

"medical performers list" means a list of registered medical practitioners prepared and published in accordance with the Health and Personal Social Services (Primary Medical Services Performers Lists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 M13;

[F27" non-contributing member" means a member who—

(a)

is under the age of 75 and in HSC employment;

(b)

is no longer required to make contributions to [F6this Section of] the Scheme in accordance with regulation 27(1); but

(c)

will be entitled to a pension under these Regulations—

(i)

on ceasing to be employed in HSC employment and making a claim for the pension, or

(ii)

upon reaching age 75;]

"non-GP provider" means—

   

(a)

a partner in a partnership that is a GMS practice who is not a GP provider and who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that non-GP provider assists in the provision of health and personal social services provided by that practice;

(b)

a partner in a partnership all of whose members have entered into an agreement for the provision of primary medical services—

(i)

but who is not a GP provider; and

(ii)

who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that non-GP provider assists in the provision of health and personal social services provided by that partnership;

(c)

a partner in a partnership that is an APMS contractor that has entered into an APMS contract for the provision of primary medical services—

(i)

but who is not a GP provider; and

(ii)

who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that non-GP provider assists in the provision of health and personal social services provided by that partnership;

(d)

a shareholder in a company limited by shares that is—

(i)

a GMS practice; or

(ii)

an APMS contractor that has entered into an APMS contract for the provision of primary medical services,

but who is not a GP provider and who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that non-GP provider assists in the provision of health and personal social services provided by that company;

(e)

an individual who is an APMS contractor but who is not a GP provider and who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that non-GP provider participates in the provision of health and personal social services;

"occupational pension scheme" means an occupational pension scheme within the meaning of section 1 of the 1993 Act which—

   

(a)

in the case of such a scheme established on, or after, the 6th April 2006 is a registered pension scheme for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004 and which the Department agrees to recognise as a transferring scheme for the purposes of Chapter 6;

(b)

in the case of such a scheme established before that date, was—

(i)

approved by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for the purposes of Chapter I of Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 M14(retirement benefits schemes) or whose application for approval under that Chapter was under consideration,

(ii)

a statutory scheme as defined in section 612(1) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (interpretation), or

(iii)

a scheme to which section 608 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 applied (superannuation funds approved before 6th April 1980),

and on 6th April 2006 became a registered pension scheme for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004 ;

[F28“officer” means a person employed by an employing authority including a GP Registrar and a non-GP provider, but does not include—

(a)

a GP performer;

(b)

a dentist performer;

(c)

a person engaged under a contract for services;]

"OOH provider" has the meaning given in regulation 20;

[F29"OOH services" means services which are required to be provided in the out of hours period and which, if provided during core hours by a GMS practice or APMS contractor to patients to whom the practice or contractor is required by its GMS contract or APMS contract to provide essential services, would be or would be similar to essential services]

[F19“ophthalmic provider” means a registered medical practitioner who is a principal medical practitioner who is included in an ophthalmic provider list prepared and kept by the Regional Business Services Organisation (RBSO) pursuant to regulation 8(1) of the General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and is a party to GOS arrangements;]

"opting-out" and related expressions are to be construed in accordance with regulation 25;

[F30“parental bereavement leave” means leave under Article 112EA of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996;]

[F31“pay period” means, in relation to members who receive either salary, wages or other regular payments under a contract of employment or a contract for services, the period in respect of which each payment is made in accordance with the terms of that contract;]

"pensionable earnings" has the meaning given in regulation 143 (read with regulation 144);

"pensionable employment" means employment as an officer which is pensionable under this Part;

"pensionable pay" has the meaning given in regulation 13 (read with regulation 14);

"pensionable service" has the meaning given in regulations 7 and 8 (read with regulation 9);

"pensioner member" has the meaning given in Article 121(1) of the 1995 Order and, except where the context otherwise requires, refers to membership of [F6this Section of] the Scheme (but see paragraphs (2) and (3) and regulation 49(9));

"pension credit" means a credit under Article 26 of the 1999 Order and includes a credit under section 29(1)(b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999M15;

"pension credit benefit" has the meaning given by section 97B of the 1993 Act;

"pension credit member" has the meaning given by Article 121(1) of the 1995 Order;

"pension credit rights" has the meaning given by section 97B of the 1993 Act;

[F1“pension debit member” means a member of this Section of the Scheme whose benefits, or future benefits, under this Scheme have been reduced under Article 28 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Reduction under pension sharing order following divorce or nullity of marriage), whether before or after the member became a member of this Section of the Scheme;]

"pension sharing order or provision" means such an order or provision as is mentioned in Article 25 (1) of the 1999 Order;

[F12“personal dental services” has the meaning given in Article 3(7) of the 1997 Order;]

"personal pension scheme" means a personal pension scheme which—

(a)

in the case of such a scheme established on, or after, 6th April 2006 is a registered pension scheme for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004 and which the Department agrees to recognise as a transferring scheme for the purposes of Chapter 6;

(b)

in the case of a scheme established before that date, was—

(i)

approved by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for the purposes of Chapter IV of Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (personal pension schemes); and

(ii)

on the 6th April 2006 became a registered pension scheme for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004;

[F12“pilot scheme” has the meaning given in Article 3(1) of the 1997 Order;]

[F12“piloted services” has the meaning given in Article 3(4) of the 1997 Order;]

"practice staff" means a person who—

(a)

is not an assistant medical practitioner, a principal medical practitioner, a GP Registrar or a non-GP provider, and

(b)

is employed by a GMS practice, an APMS contractor [F32, an OOH provider or a GP Federation] to assist in the provision of the services it provides;

"practitioner" means—

(a)

a registered medical practitioner who—

(i)

is not a GP Registrar, and

(ii)

is a locum practitioner, a GP provider or a GP performer, or

(b)

a dentist performer; [F33or

(c)

an ophthalmic provider]

"preservation requirements" means the requirements of Chapter 1 of Part IV of the 1993 Act relating to the preservation of benefits under occupational pension schemes;

"public sector transfer arrangements" means arrangements approved by the Department as providing reciprocal arrangements for the payment and receipt of transfer values between [F6this Section of] the Scheme and other occupational pension schemes;

"qualifying service" has the meaning given in regulation 10 (read with regulation 11);

"recent leaver" has the meaning given in regulation 72 (3);

"reckonable pay" has the meaning given in regulation 15 (read with regulations 16 to 19);

[F12“Regional Board” means the Regional Health and Social Care Board, established under section 7 of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009;]

"registered" means registered under Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004;

[F12“registered dentist” has the meaning given in section 53(1) of the Dentists Act 1984;]

[F34“registered medical practitioner” means a fully registered medical practitioner within the meaning given in section 55 of the Medical Act 1983;]

"retail prices index" has the meaning given in section 989 of the Income Tax Act 2007M16;

"safeguarded percentage" has the meaning given by section 64A(3) of the 1993 Act;

"safeguarded rights" has the meaning given by section 64A(1) of the 1993 Act;

[F35“the Scheme” means the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme the rules of which are set out in these regulations and the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995;]

"the Scheme actuary" means the actuary appointed by the Department for the time being to provide a consulting service on actuarial matters relevant to the Scheme;

"scheme year" means a period of one year beginning with 1st April and ending with 31st March next following;

[F36“shared parental leave” means leave under section 107E or 107G of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.]

"specialist" means a consultant, other than a nurse consultant, or a senior hospital medical officer or senior hospital dental officer;

"State pension age" means pensionable age, as defined in section 176(1) of the 1993 Act;

"tax year" means a year of assessment for income tax purposes;

"tier 1 ill-health pension" must be read in accordance with regulation 52;

"tier 2 ill-health pension" must be read in accordance with regulation 52;

"trade dispute" has the meaning given in Article 2 (2) of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995M17;

[F19“Waiting Period Joiner” has the meaning given in regulation 136Y;]

"whole-time" , in relation to an employment that is comparable to one or more part-time employments, has the meaning given by paragraph (4).

(2) In determining whether a person who is an active member or a pensioner member of [F37this Section of] the Scheme is also a deferred member of it, the fact that the person is an active member or a pensioner member and the person's rights as such are to be disregarded.

(3) In determining whether a person is a pensioner member of [F38this Section of] the Scheme, the fact that the person is not entitled to payment of pension because of Chapter 8 (abatement) is to be disregarded.

(4) For the purposes of this Part—

(a)an employment that is comparable to a part-time employment that is not held concurrently by a person with any other such employment is “whole-time” if it is employment for such number of hours or sessions as in the opinion of the Department amounts to whole-time employment in the case of an employment for services of the kind performed in the part-time employment, and

(b)an employment that is comparable to two or more part-time employments that are held concurrently by a person is “whole-time” if it is employment for such number of hours or sessions as in the opinion of the Department amounts to whole-time employment in the case of an employment for services of the kind performed in the two or more part-time employments.

Textual Amendments

F36Words in reg. 6 inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 6

Marginal Citations

M4S.R. 1995 No. 95, as amended by S.Rs. 1997 Nos. 217 and 390, S.R. 1998 No. 299, S.R. 1999 No. 293, S.R. 2002 No. 69, S.Rs. 2004 Nos. 103 and 104, S.Rs. 2005 Nos. 155, 533, 534 and 565, S.Rs. 2006 Nos 159 and 410 and S.Rs 2008 Nos 96, 130 and 163

Pensionable serviceN.I.

Meaning of “pensionable service”N.I.

7.—(1) In this Part, references to a member's pensionable service, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), are references to the aggregate of the following periods—

(a)any period of service in respect of which the member contributes to [F39this Section of] the scheme under regulation 27 (contributions by members),

(b)any period of absence from service which counts as pensionable service under regulation 9, F40...

(c)any period of service credited to the member as pensionable service under Chapter 6 (transfers)[F41; and

(d)any period of pensionable service the member is entitled to count under Chapter 10 of this Part.]

(2) A member's pensionable service does not include—

(a)any period of service in respect of which the Department has paid contributions to another occupational pension scheme in respect of the member,

(b)in the case of a pensioner member or deferred member, any period taken into account—

(i)in determining the member's entitlement to the pension in payment or, as the case may be, the deferred pension, or

(ii)in calculating the amount of that pension,

but, in the case of a pensioner member or deferred member entitled to a pension under regulation 49 (partial retirement) subject to paragraph (6),

(c)any period of service in respect of which the Department's liability to provide benefits is discharged—

(i)by the payment of a contributions equivalent premium under section 51(2) of the 1993 Act,

(ii)under regulation 44 (repayment of contributions), or

(iii)by the payment of a transfer value payment on transfer out under Chapter 6 (transfers), or

(d)any period of service which would result in the aggregate mentioned in paragraph (1) exceeding 45 years.

(3) A member's pensionable service must not exceed 45 years unless—

(a)the member gives notice in writing to the Department and the member's employing authority of an intention to remain in pensionable service beyond 45 years, and

(b)that notice is received by the Department and the member's employing authority—

(i)not earlier than three months before the member reaches 45 years pensionable service, and

(ii)by the end of the pay period during which the member reaches the 45 year limit.

(4) If the notice required by paragraph (3) has been properly received and the member has pensionable service in excess of 45 years—

(a)benefits under this Part shall be calculated by reference to a maximum of 45 years of pensionable service, and

(b)the Department shall select the years by reference to which the benefits are to be calculated, selecting the years which produce the most favourable result to the member.

(5) If, when the employment in which a person is an active member ceases, a payment is made in respect of untaken leave, for the purpose of this Part—

(a)the member's pensionable service is treated as continuing for a period equal to the period of leave in respect of which payment is made, and

(b)the payment is treated as the member's pensionable pay for that period.

(6) In the case of a pensioner member or deferred member entitled to a pension under regulation 49 (partial retirement), paragraph (2)(b) applies only to so much of the member's pensionable service as is mentioned in regulation 49(9)(a) (the specified percentage of the pensionable service as respects which the member is an active member on the option day).

(7) Regulation 8 makes further provision where service is in part-time employment.

[F42(8) Where a member is also a member of the [F431995 Section] , any reference in this Part to “45 years” shall be taken to be a reference to a shorter period determined by the formula—

where—

  • SP is the shorter period, measured in years and days, and

  • LSS is the length of superannuable service (within the meaning of the 1995 Regulations), measured in years and days, giving rise to membership of the [F431995 Section] and, in the case of a member of [F44that Section] who has become entitled to a pension (including a preserved pension) under [F44that Section] , including any period that was taken into account for the purpose of determining whether the member was entitled to that pension, or for the purpose of calculating the amount of that pension.]

Textual Amendments

Meaning of “pensionable service”: part-time serviceN.I.

8.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), the number of days of a member's pensionable service in part-time employment for a period is calculated by multiplying the total hours of employment during the period by 7, and dividing by the number of hours of employment per week for a comparable whole-time employment.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) to (6), if the part-time employment is for a specified number of sessions per week—

(a)paragraph (1) does not apply, and

(b)the number of days of the member's pensionable service in the part-time employment for the period is calculated by multiplying the number of sessions of employment during the period by 7, and dividing by the number of sessions per week of the length of the specified sessions for a comparable whole-time employment.

(3) If during the period for which a part-time employment is held there is an alteration—

(a)in the case of an employment to which paragraph (1) applies, in the number of hours of employment per week for a comparable whole-time employment, or

(b)in the case of an employment to which paragraph (2) applies, in the number of specified sessions per week or the length of those sessions for a comparable whole-time employment,

separate calculations must be made under paragraph (1) or, as the case may be, paragraph (2) for the periods before and after the alteration.

(4) If, apart from this paragraph, a member's pensionable service in respect of the part-time employments held for a period, calculated in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2), would exceed that period, the excess is ignored.

(5) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply for the purposes of regulation 7(3) (45 year limit), and for those purposes part-time employments held concurrently are treated as a single employment.

(6) Temporary additional sessions are ignored in calculating a member's pensionable service in a part-time employment.

Pensionable service: breaks in serviceN.I.

9.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies if a member is absent from work because of—

(a)illness or injury,

(b)maternity leave,

(c)adoption leave,

(d)paternity leave, F45...

(e)parental leave [F46, [F47shared parental leave [F48, or]

[F49(f)parental bereavement leave.]

(2) The period of absence counts as pensionable service if the member contributes to [F50this Section of] the Scheme under regulation 27 in respect of the period of absence.

[F51(3) If a member is on leave of absence but does not fall within paragraph (1)(a) to (e), and contributes to [F50this Section of] the Scheme under regulation 27 by contributions made at the same intervals as those made by the member before the absence, the maximum period of such leave that can be counted as pensionable service under this paragraph is—

(a)where the member contributes for a continuous period of 6 months commencing with the first day of the member’s leave of absence, 6 months; and

(b)where the member contributes for a continuous period of less than 6 months commencing with the first day of the member’s leave of absence, the period in respect of which the member pays those contributions.

(3A) If, having paid contributions for the period mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) a member remains on a leave of absence that does not fall within paragraph (1)(a) to (e) and contributes to [F52this Section of] the Scheme both member contributions under regulation 27 and employer contributions under regulation 31 by contributions made at the same intervals as those made by the member before the absence, the maximum period of such leave that can be counted as pensionable service under this paragraph is—

(a)where the member contributes for a continuous period of 18 months commencing immediately after the expiry of the period mentioned in paragraph (3)(a), 18 months; and

(b)where the member contributes for a continuous period of less than 18 months commencing immediately after the expiry of the period mentioned in paragraph (3)(a), the period in respect of which the member pays those contributions.]

(4) This paragraph applies if a person—

(a)ceased to be an active member because of—

(i)ceasing to be employed in an employment in which the person is eligible to be such a member, or

(ii)exercising the option under regulation 25 (opting out of [F53this Section of] the Scheme), and

(b)less than 12 months after the date on which the person ceased to be an active member becomes such a member again.

(5) If paragraph (4) applies, the person's pensionable service before the person ceased to be an active member and after the person became such a member again is treated as a single continuous period of pensionable service, unless paragraph (6) applies.

(6) This paragraph applies if—

(a)the person does not become a deferred member in respect of the pensionable service before the break in which the person was an active member,

(b)the person has received a repayment of contributions under regulation 44 in respect of that service (but see paragraph (8)), or

(c)the person's rights under [F54this Section of] the Scheme in respect of that service have been extinguished under regulation 99 because a transfer value payment has been made in respect of them.

(7) In the case of a member who leaves pensionable service whilst the person is absent from work because of—

(a)illness or injury,

(b)maternity leave,

(c)adoption leave,

(d)paternity leave, F55...

(e)parental leave, [F56shared parental leave,] [F57or]

[F58(f)parental bereavement leave,]

this regulation applies as if the reference to 12 months in paragraph (4)(b) were a reference to 3 years.

(8) Paragraph (6)(b) does not apply if the person repays to the Department any contributions repaid to the person as mentioned in that paragraph, together with any interest paid to the person on those contributions, before the expiry of the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which the person becomes an active member again.

(9) For the regulations where paragraph (5) applies in respect of the service in which the person was an active member and becomes an active member again, see Chapter 7 (re-employment and rejoining [F59this Section of] the Scheme).

[F60(10) For the duration of any pilot scheme—

(a)a member who provides piloted services under a dental pilot scheme and who is absent from work by reason of illness or injury shall be treated as a practitioner whether or not his name is included on a dental list prior to the commencement of the pilot scheme; and

(b)a member who performs piloted services under a dental pilot scheme and who is absent from work by reason of illness or injury shall be treated as an officer whether or not his name is included on a dental list prior to the commencement of the pilot scheme.]]]

Textual Amendments

F47Words in reg. 9(1)(e) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 7(a)

F56Words in reg. 9(7) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 7(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Qualifying serviceN.I.

Meaning of “qualifying service”N.I.

10.—(1) In this Part, references to a member's qualifying service, are references to the aggregate of the following periods—

(a)the member's pensionable service under this Part other than such pensionable service as is referred to in regulation 7(1)(c) (transferred-in service),

(b)in the case of a person in respect of whom a transfer value in respect of his rights under another pension arrangement [F61(including the [F621995 Section] )] has been accepted under Chapter 6 (transfers), a period equal to the person's period as an active member in any occupational pension scheme in respect of which the rights accrued,

(c)in the case of a person who—

(i)became an active member on the transfer of the person's employment to a new employer as the result of a transfer of an undertaking to that employer, and

(ii)has rights under another occupational pension scheme to which the person was eligible to belong in the person's employment with the former employer, in respect of which no transfer payment has been accepted under regulation 102,

the period of employment that qualified the member for those rights, and

(d)any period treated as qualifying service under paragraph (3), (5) or (6) or under regulation 11, F63...

(e)where the member ceased to be an active member under Part 3 not more than 12 months before becoming a member under this Part, any period of qualifying service under Part 3[F64; and

(f)in the case of a person—

(i)

who is eligible to join [F65this Section of] the Scheme by virtue of regulation 21(5)(c), and

(ii)

for whom the interval between leaving the [F661995 Section] and joining [F65this Section of] the Scheme is less than one month,

a period equal to the period of qualifying service (within the meaning of the 1995 Regulations), measured in years and days, that the member was entitled to count under regulation 5 of the 1995 Regulations when the member left that scheme][F67; F68...

(g)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, any period of qualifying service the member is entitled to count under Chapter 10 of this Part.]

[F69(h)in the case of a Waiting Period Joiner referred to in regulation 136Y, a period equal in length to the period of qualifying service which the member is entitled to count under the 1995 Section; and

(i)in the case of a person who is eligible to join this Section of the scheme by virtue of regulation 21(5)(e), (g) or (h) (Eligibility: general), a period equal in length to the period of qualifying service which the member is entitled to count under the 1995 Section.]

(2) Paragraph (3) applies if a member who is employed on a casual basis—

(a)ceases to pay contributions because of a break in the employment in which the member is an active member of a period not exceeding three months, and

(b)re-enters employment in which the member is eligible to be an active member on the same basis after the break.

(3) For the purposes of this Part the member is treated—

(a)as continuing to be in qualifying service during the break, and

(b)as not being required to rejoin [F70this Section of] the Scheme on re-entering the employment.

(4) For the other rules applying where there is a short break in service, see regulation 11.

(5) If—

(a)a pension becomes payable to a member under regulation 55 (early retirement on termination of employment by employing authority) in a case where regulation 57 (5) applies, and

(b)the member has elected to take benefits under regulation 55 only in respect of the old employment and to continue to accrue rights to benefits in respect of any continuing employments in which the member is an active member,

the pensionable service in respect of which that pension is calculated is treated as qualifying service in relation to any employment in respect of which rights to benefits continue to accrue.

(6) In determining the service that is pensionable service for the purposes of this regulation, regulation 8 (meaning of “pensionable service”: part-time service) does not apply, but for those purposes part-time employments held concurrently are treated as a single employment.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Qualifying service: disregard of breaks in serviceN.I.

11.—(1) This regulation applies for the purpose of calculating the qualifying service of a member whose pensionable service ceases for an interval (other than in circumstances where regulation 10(2) applies).

(2) Subject to paragraph (6), if the interval—

(a)does not exceed one month, or

(b)is due to a trade dispute,

the member's qualifying service before and after the interval is treated as continuous for the purpose of calculating the member's qualifying service after the interval (but the period of the interval is ignored).

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) it does not matter if the member's pensionable service before the interval is treated separately from that after the interval for the purpose of calculating the member's benefits.

(4) Subject to paragraph (6), if—

(a)a person who is an active member ceases to be employed in the employment that qualifies the person to belong to [F71this Section of] the Scheme and becomes a deferred member, but not a pensioner member, in respect of the service in that employment, and

(b)after a period not exceeding 12 months the person becomes employed again in such an employment and becomes an active member again in that employment,

qualifying service in the earlier employment is treated as a single continuous period of qualifying service with that in the later employment.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), if—

(a)a person who is an active member in an employment opts to cease to be such a member whilst continuing to be employed in the employment and becomes a deferred member, but not a pensioner member, in respect of that service, and

(b)after a period not exceeding 12 months the person becomes such an active member again in that employment,

qualifying service in the earlier period of active membership is treated as a single period of qualifying service with that in the later period of such membership.

(6) [F72Where] —

(a)the person has received a repayment of contributions under regulation 44 in respect of the earlier period [F73, paragraphs (4) and (5) do not apply] (but see paragraph (7)), or

(b)the person's rights under [F74this Section of] the Scheme in respect of that period have been extinguished under regulation 99 because a transfer value payment has been made[F75, paragraphs (2), (4) and (5) do not apply] .

(7) Paragraph (6)(a) does not apply if the person repays to the Department any contributions repaid to the person as mentioned in that paragraph together with any interest on those contributions, before the expiry of the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which the member becomes a member again.

(8) If—

(a)a member is a deferred member or pensioner member in respect of the period of pensionable service before pensionable service ceases for an interval, and

(b)the periods of pensionable service before and after pensionable service ceases for an interval are not treated as a single period of continuous service under regulation 9(5) or regulation 111(2)(a),

the period of pensionable service in respect of which the member is a deferred member or a pensioner member is treated as qualifying service in relation to the period after the interval.

Textual Amendments

Calculating serviceN.I.

Calculation of periods of membership or serviceN.I.

12.—(1) References in this Part to any period expressed in days are references to the period in question ignoring 29th February, expressed in days.

(2) For the purposes of [F76this Section of] the Scheme, and except where provided otherwise in this Part, periods of service are to be expressed in the first instance in complete days or fractions of a day, and the initial aggregation of periods that require to be aggregated is done in the first instance by reference to periods so expressed.

(3) If, when all periods of service that require to be aggregated have been aggregated, there is any excess part day over the number of whole days, that excess is rounded up to a full day.

(4) If service is referred to as service in years and days—

(a)the days referred to in paragraph (2), and

(b)the full days referred to in paragraph (3),

are converted into years and days on the assumption that a year contains 365 days.

(5) If service is referred to as service in years—

(a)the days referred to in paragraph (2), and

(b)the full days referred to in paragraph (3),

are converted into years by dividing the number of days by 365, and using the result to four decimal places.

Textual Amendments

Pensionable payN.I.

Meaning of “pensionable pay”N.I.

13.—(1) In this Part, subject to the following paragraphs, “pensionable pay” means all salary, wages, fees and other regular payments made to a person in respect of employment in which the person is an active member of [F77this Section of] the Scheme.

(2) In the case of a member who, in addition to one or more such employments, holds an honorary office or appointment, any distinction award payable to the member as a consequence of holding the honorary office or appointment, is treated—

(a)in the case of a member in one such employment, as pensionable pay of that employment, and

(b)in the case of a member in two or more such employments, as pensionable pay of such of those employments as the Department considers appropriate.

(3) “Pensionable pay” does not include—

(a)bonuses,

[F78(aa)pay awards and pay increases that are expressed by the Department to be non-consolidated,]

(b)payments made to cover expenses, or

(c)payments for overtime.

(4) If—

(a)a person is an active member in respect of two or more part-time employments, and

(b)in the opinion of the Department, the total pensionable pay for the employments (apart from this paragraph) exceeds the amount that would be the pensionable pay for a comparable whole-time employment, not held concurrently with any other employment under which services of the kinds performed in the two or more part-time employments are performed,

the excess pensionable pay is ignored for the purposes of this Part.

(5) In the case of a non-GP provider who is not in receipt of any salary, wages, fees or any other regular payment, pensionable pay means practitioner income less any sum on account of practice expenses (for these purposes, contributions payable under regulation 27(5) or (6) are neither practitioner income nor practice expenses).

(6) For the purposes of this regulation, the practitioner income of a non-GP provider means income that accrues to the non-GP provider which is derived from—

(a)a GMS contract;

(b)an APMS contract;

(c)payments from, or to, a practitioner who is a GMS practice or an APMS contractor in respect of the performance of certification services, commissioned services or collaborative services.

(7) In the case of a non-GP provider who is in partnership with a principal medical practitioner practising in partnership, the pensionable earnings of each non-GP provider who is a partner in a partnership shall be calculated by aggregating the pensionable earnings of each partner (including for this purpose, any amount that would constitute pensionable earnings in the case of any of them who are not included in the Scheme) and, subject to paragraph (8), dividing the total equally by reference to the number of such partners.

(8) If the non-GP providers and any principal medical practitioners who are partners in a partnership do not share equally in the partnership profits, they may elect that each partner's pensionable earnings shall correspond to each partner's share of the partnership profits.

(9) The calculations described in paragraph (8) will be made by the Health and Social Services Board to which the partners are required to give notice of their election in accordance with paragraph (10).

(10) Non-GP providers and any principal medical practitioners who are partners in any partnership must exercise the election described in paragraph (8) by giving notice in writing to their host Board in accordance with paragraph (11).

(11) A notice given under this regulation—

(a)must be signed by all the non-GP providers and principal medical practitioners in the partnership and must state as a fraction each non-GP provider's and practitioner's share in the partnership profits;

(b)will take effect—

(i)from the date agreed between the partners and the Health and Social Services Board concerned; or

(ii)if no agreement is reached, a date decided by the Department;

(c)will continue in effect until cancelled or amended by a subsequent notice in writing signed by all the partners in the partnership;

(d)will be automatically cancelled upon a change in the members of the partnership.

Textual Amendments

Pensionable pay: breaks in serviceN.I.

14.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies if a member is absent from work because of—

(a)illness or injury,

(b)maternity leave,

(c)adoption leave,

(d)paternity leave, F79...

(e)parental leave, [F80shared parental leave,] [F81or]

[F82(f)parental bereavement leave,]

and the earnings used to calculate the member's pensionable pay under regulation 13 are reduced or cease.

(2) For the purposes of this Part (apart from regulations 27 and 28), and subject to paragraph (3) [F83in the case of a member who is not a non-GP provider and paragraph (7) in the case of a member who is a non-GP provider], amounts equal to the pensionable pay that the member would have received if those circumstances had not applied are treated as having been paid to the member.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to a member [F84who is not a non-GP provider] falling within paragraph (1)(a) as respects any period after the earnings used to calculate the member's pensionable pay under regulation 13 have ceased to be paid to the member.

(4) For the purposes of regulations 27 and 28, if for any period whilst the member falls within—

(a)paragraph (1) the earnings used to calculate the member's pensionable pay under regulation 13 are reduced, amounts equal to the reduced earnings are treated as pensionable pay, and

(b)paragraph (1)(b) to (e) the earnings used to calculate the member's pensionable pay under regulation 13 are reduced, during any period following that period whilst the member continues to fall within that paragraph and no such earnings are paid, amounts equal to the reduced earnings are treated as pensionable pay.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(b), any pay received by a woman on maternity leave in respect of any days during which the member returns to work for the purposes of keeping in touch with the workplace is to be ignored.

(6) For the purposes of this Part, during any period of absence which counts as pensionable service under regulation 9(3) [F85or (3A) (up to 24] months' leave of absence with full contributions) amounts equal to the rate of the member's pensionable pay immediately before the absence are treated as pensionable pay.

(7) In the case of a non-GP provider who—

(a)is one of a number of non-GP providers or practitioners who have elected as described in regulation [F8613(8)] , each non-GP provider's or practitioner's pensionable earnings will be calculated as if the partnership's aggregate pensionable [F87earnings] were equal to the amount of the partnership's aggregate pensionable earnings during the 12 month period ending immediately before the member's earnings were reduced or ceased;

(b)except where the non-GP provider's pensionable [F87earnings] falls to be calculated as described in sub-paragraph (a), the non-GP provider will be treated as having continued to receive the same average rate of pensionable earnings as during the 12 month period ending immediately before his earnings were reduced or ceased.

[F88(8) If the earnings used to calculate a member’s pensionable pay cease during a period of absence to which this regulation applies—

(a)a non-GP provider falling within paragraph (1)(a) will, subject to sub-paragraph (b), be treated as having continued in pensionable employment for a period of 12 months from the date on which the member’s earnings ceased and the member will not be treated as having left pensionable employment until the end of that 12 month period;

(b)a non-GP provider falling within paragraph (1)(b) to (e) who paid contributions on the basis of reduced earnings in accordance with paragraph (4)(b) will, subject to paragraph (9), continue to pay contributions at that rate, except that no refund of contributions or other benefit will be payable until the member actually leaves pensionable employment;

(c)a member other than a non-GP provider will, subject to paragraph (5), be treated as having left pensionable employment except that no refund of contributions or other benefit will be payable until the member actually leaves pensionable employment.

(8A) For the purposes of paragraph (8)(a)—

(a)during the 12 month period, the non-GP provider’s pensionable earnings will be calculated as described in paragraph (7)(a) or (b);

(b)at the end of the 12 month period, when the member is regarded as having left pensionable employment, no refund of contributions or other benefit will be payable until the member actually leaves employment.]

(9) For the purposes of paragraph (8) [F89(b)] , the rate of contributions payable shall be the rate that would have been payable on the basis of reduced earnings in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) had the non-GP provider's reduced earnings excluded any earnings for a day during which the non-GP provider, whilst on maternity leave, returned to work for the purposes of keeping in touch with the workplace.

(10) If a [F90member] fails to pay any contributions which are required to be paid to [F91this Section of] the Scheme in respect of a period of absence to which this regulation applies, the non-GP provider will be treated as having left pensionable employment except that no refund of contributions or other benefit shall be payable unless the [F90member] actually leaves pensionable employment.

(11) If a [F92member] to whom [F93this regulation] applies leaves pensionable employment or, by virtue of [F94paragraph (8)(c), (8A)(b) or (10)] , is treated as having left pensionable employment, without becoming entitled to a preserved pension, then if the [F92member] later returns to pensionable employment regulation 9(4) will apply as if the reference to 12 months were a reference to 3 years.

(12) The benefits payable on the death of a [F95member] whose earnings ceased during a period of absence to which paragraph (7) applies will be calculated as if the [F95member] had died in pensionable employment on the day before the [F95member]'s earnings ceased.

Textual Amendments

F80Words in reg. 14(1)(e) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 8

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Reckonable payN.I.

Meaning of “reckonable pay”: generalN.I.

15.—(1) This regulation applies for the purpose of determining the meaning of “reckonable pay”, in relation to—

(a)a member whose active membership ceases, F96...

(b)a member becoming entitled to the immediate payment of a pension during the member's active membership period—

(i)on the exercise of the option under regulation 49 (partial retirement: members aged at least 55), or

(ii)under regulation 45(1)(b)(ii)[F97; or

(c)a non-contributing member.]

(2) This regulation is subject to regulations 16 to 19 [F98, 136G and 136I to 136K] .

[F99(3) A member’s “reckonable pay” is determined by the formula—

Where—

IRP is the interim reckonable pay determined in paragraph (4), (6) or (7), as appropriate, before any adjustment for inflation in accordance with regulation 16,

RPa is the annual rate of retirement pension the member would be entitled to if the reckonable pay used to calculate it was the interim reckonable pay, including any adjustment for inflation described in regulation 16, and

RPi is the annual rate of retirement pension the member would be entitled to if the reckonable pay used to calculate it was the interim reckonable pay, excluding any adjustment for inflation described in regulation 16, but instead including any increases that pay would attract if it was the annual rate of an official pension within the meaning of section 5(1) of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.]

(4) If the period of the member's pensionable service ending with the relevant day equals 365 days, “interim reckonable pay” means the member's pensionable pay for that period.

(5) In this regulation—

(a)“the relevant day” means—

(i)in a case within paragraph (1)(a), the day on which the member's active membership ceases, F100...

(ii)in a case within paragraph (1)(b), the day before that on which the member becomes entitled to the pension;

[F101(iii)in a case within paragraph (1)(c), the member’s last day of pensionable service.]

(b)“the best consecutive 1095 day period” shall be determined by comparing—

(i)the period of 1095 days immediately preceding the relevant day (Period 1);

(ii)the period of 1095 days which overlaps Period 1 by 730 days (Period 2);

(iii)the period of 1095 days which overlaps Period 2 by 730 days,

and so on.

(6) Except where paragraph (4) or (7) applies, in this regulation “interim reckonable pay” means one-third of the member's pensionable pay for the period of 1095 days—

(a)that begins—

(i)during the member's pensionable service, and

(ii)within the period of 10 years ending with the relevant day, and

(b)for which the member's pensionable pay was the highest (“the best consecutive 1095 day period”).

(7) If the member's pensionable service within the period of 10 years ending with the relevant day—

(a)is less than 365 days, or

(b)exceeds 365 days but is less than 1095 days,

“interim reckonable pay” means the member's pensionable pay for the period of the member's pensionable service, divided by the number of days in that period and multiplied by 365.

(8) If two or more periods of pensionable service are treated as a single continuous period of pensionable service under—

(a)regulation 9(5) (pensionable service: breaks in service), or

(b)regulation 111(2) (exception to general rule in regulation 110),

the references in—

(i)paragraph (4) to a period of pensionable service equalling 365 days,

(ii)paragraph (5) to a period of 1095 days,

(iii)paragraph (7) to the period of pensionable service less than 365 days or more than 365 days but less than 1095 days,

are references to periods together amounting to periods of that length, disregarding any breaks during the single period.

(9) Paragraph (8) does not apply if the other employment is an employment in respect of which the member continues to accrue benefits in accordance with regulation 57 despite being entitled to a pension under regulation 55.

(10) If—

(a)a person's reckonable pay in respect of an employment that the person has left falls to be determined under this regulation by reference to the person's pensionable pay for any period in respect of an employment, and

(b)the person held that employment concurrently during that period with another employment in which the person was an active member,

the member's pensionable pay for that period in the other employment must be taken into account in that determination.

[F102(11) For the purposes of this regulation, pensionable service does not include—

(a)any period of pensionable service that a member is entitled to count under Chapter 6 of this Part unless the transfer value payment in respect of that service is accepted from a corresponding 2008 scheme;

(b)any period of pensionable service that a Section 2008 Optant is entitled to count under—

(i)regulation 136C,

(ii)regulation 136E, or

(iii)regulation 136M.]

Textual Amendments

Adjustments for inflation in determining reckonable pay under regulation 15N.I.

16.—(1) In determining—

(a)the pensionable pay for the period of pensionable service referred to in regulation 15(4),

(b)the period of 1095 days for which the member's pensionable pay was the highest for the purposes of regulation 15(6), or

(c)the pensionable pay for either of the periods of pensionable service referred to in regulation 15(7),

the amount of pensionable pay is adjusted for inflation.

(2) The reference in paragraph (1) to adjusting the amount of pensionable pay for inflation, is a reference to increasing the member's pensionable pay (for a specified period or periods) by an amount equal to the amount by which, at the relevant day, an official pension within the meaning of section 5(1) of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 first qualifying for an increase under that Act on the same day as the specified period, or periods, ended, would have been increased (if at all).

(3) In this regulation—

(a)“specified period” means any single scheme year falling in the period, or periods, referred to in regulation 15(4), (6) or (7), and

(b)“the relevant day” has the meaning given in regulation 15(5).

Restriction on pensionable pay used for calculating benefits in respect of capped transferred-in serviceN.I.

17.—(1) This regulation applies for determining the amount of a member's pensionable pay for the purposes of calculating so much of any benefit under [F103this Section of] the Scheme as falls to be calculated by reference to capped transferred-in service.

(2) If a member's pensionable pay exceeds the permitted maximum, the excess is disregarded for the purposes of any such calculation as is mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) In this regulation “permitted maximum” means—

(a)in relation to the tax year 2008-09, £117,600, and

(b)in relation to any later tax year, the figure found for that year under paragraphs (5) and (6).

(4) If the retail prices index for the month of September preceding the tax year 2009-10 or any later tax year is higher than it was for the previous September, the figure for that year is an amount arrived at by—

(a)increasing the figure for the previous tax year by the same percentage as the percentage increase in the retail prices index, and

(b)if the result is not a multiple of £600, rounding it up to the nearest amount which is such a multiple.

(5) If the retail prices index for the month of September preceding the tax year 2009-10 or any later tax year is not higher than it was for the previous September, the figure for that year is the same as for the previous tax year.

(6) In this regulation—

(a)“capped transferred-in service” has the meaning given by regulation 104; and

(b)“pensionable pay” has the meaning given by regulation 13.

Textual Amendments

[F104Restriction of reckonable pay where the Department considers the amount is inordinateN.I.

17A.—(1) Where, having regard to the matters referred to in paragraph (2), the Department considers that the amount which would otherwise constitute the member’s interim reckonable pay for the purposes of regulation 15 is inordinate, the Department may, determine what the amount of a member’s interim reckonable pay is to be and the date from which any change in the amount of that pay as a result of that determination is to take effect.

(2) Those matters are—

(a)any variations in the level of the member’s pensionable pay during a period not exceeding ten years and ending with the earlier of the date the member ceases to be in pensionable employment or the date the member dies;

(b)the general level of pensionable pay pertaining in HSC employment for members of the same or an equivalent grade or post during the period under consideration for the purposes of paragraph (a);

(c)promotion and re-grading prospects in HSC employment for members of the same or an equivalent grade or post during the period under consideration for the purposes of paragraph (a);

(d)any other matters the Department considers relevant.

(3) Where the Department determines the amount of a member’s interim pensionable pay pursuant to paragraph (1)—

(a)the difference between the amount which would, but for the determination pursuant to paragraph (1), be the member’s interim reckonable pay and the amount so determined pursuant to that paragraph and adjusted for the purposes of regulation 16, must be ignored for the purposes of this regulation (“the ignored amount”);

(b)any contributions referable to the ignored amount and paid by the member pursuant to regulation 27 must, net of any tax payable, be refunded to that member;

(c)any contributions referable to the ignored amount and paid by the employing authority pursuant to regulation 31 are to be refunded to that employing authority.]

Textual Amendments

Meaning of “reckonable pay”: non-concurrent part-time employmentN.I.

18.—(1) This regulation applies if a member's reckonable pay falls to be determined under regulation 15 by reference to the member's pensionable pay for any period for a part-time employment that was not held concurrently with any other such employment in which the member was an active member.

(2) The member's reckonable pay for that period in respect of the part-time employment is the amount, subject to paragraph (4), that would have been paid in respect of that employment for that period if it had been a whole-time employment not held concurrently with any other employment.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) it is assumed that the same rate of pay per hour or session (or part of an hour or session) is paid for the whole-time employment as is paid per hour or session (or part of an hour or session) for the part-time employment.

(4) If, in a case where, apart from this paragraph, paragraph (2) would apply, it appears to the Department that, by reason of exceptional circumstances, the application of the assumptions in paragraph (3) for the purposes of paragraph (2) would result in an excessive amount being given by paragraph (2), that amount must be reduced by such amount as is in the opinion of the Department appropriate having regard to what would have been paid for that period in respect of a comparable whole-time employment.

(5) This regulation does not apply to the calculation of the reckonable pay of an active member or a pensioner member for the purposes of regulation 83(1) or (2) (lump sum payable on death of active or pensioner member).

Meaning of “reckonable pay”: concurrent part-time employmentsN.I.

19.—(1) This regulation applies if under regulation 15(10) a member's reckonable pay falls to be determined by reference to the member's pensionable pay for any period for two or more part-time employments held concurrently during that period.

(2) The member's reckonable pay for that period is calculated as follows—

  • Step 1

  • Calculate the reckonable pay for each of the employments under regulation 18 as if it were not held concurrently with any other such employment.

  • Step 2

  • Find the appropriate fraction for each of the employments (see paragraph (3)).

  • Step 3

  • Add together the appropriate fraction of the reckonable pay for each of the employments as calculated at Step 1.

(3) Except where paragraph (4) applies, the appropriate fraction for an employment is—

where—

HPW is the number of hours per week of the employment, and

THPW is the total hours per week of both or all the employments.

(4) The appropriate fraction for an employment for a specified number of sessions per week is—

where—

SPW is the number of sessions per week of the employment, and

TSPW is the total sessions per week of both or all the employments.

(5) If—

(a)one or more of the employments is an employment for a specified number of sessions per week, and

(b)one or more of the employments is not such an employment,

the denominator for the fractions given in paragraphs (3) and (4) is calculated on the basis that a session is 3.5 hours or such number of hours as the Department may in any particular case determine.

Out of hours providersN.I.

20.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations, an OOH provider is—

(a)a company limited by guarantee (which is not otherwise an employing authority)—

(i)in which all the members of the company are registered medical practitioners, APMS contractors or GMS practices and the majority of those members are—

(aa)APMS contractors, GMS practices whose APMS contracts or GMS contracts require them to provide OOH services; or

(bb)registered medical practitioners who are partners or shareholders in an APMS contractor or a GMS practice which is a partnership or a company limited by shares and which is required to provide OOH services under its GMS contract or APMS contract,

(ii)which has a contract with a Health and Social Services Board, an APMS contractor or a GMS practice for the provision of OOH services, and

(iii)in respect of which a Health and Social Services Board appointed by the Department to act on its behalf—

(aa)is satisfied that the provision of OOH services by the company is wholly or mainly a mutual trading activity;

(bb)is satisfied that the company has met all the conditions for being an OOH provider in this regulation; and

(cc)has, pursuant to a written application made by the company to it for that purpose, approved the company as an employing authority; or

(b)some other body corporate (which is not otherwise an employing authority) which—

(i)operates in the interests of those who are the recipients of the primary medical services it provides or of the general public;

(ii)operates on a not-for-profit basis;

(iii)is not an associated company in relation to another person;

(iv)has memorandum or articles or rules that—

(aa)prohibit the payment of dividends to its members; and

(bb)require its profits (if any) or other income to be applied to promoting its objects, and

(cc)require all the assets which would otherwise be available to its members generally to be transferred on its winding up either to another body which operates on a not-for-profit basis and whose purpose is to provide health or social care for the benefit of the community or to another body the objects of which are the promotion of charity and anything incidental or conducive thereto,

(v)has at least one member who is—

(aa)an APMS contractor or a GMS practice; or

(bb)a partner in a partnership that is an APMS contractor or a GMS practice; or

(cc)a shareholder in a company limited by shares that is an APMS contractor or a GMS practice,

(vi)has a contract with a Health and Social Services Board, an APMS contractor or a GMS practice, for the provision of OOH services; and

(vii)is approved as an employing authority by a Health and Social Services Board appointed by the Department to act on its behalf—

(aa)pursuant to a written application made by the body to it for that purpose; and

(bb)that Health and Social Services Board being satisfied that the body has met all the conditions for being an OOH provider in this regulation.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(iii)—

(a)a body corporate is to be treated as another person's associated company if that person has control of it, except if that person is an employing authority; and

(b)a person shall be taken to have control of a body corporate if he exercises, or is able to exercise, or is entitled to acquire, direct or indirect control over its affairs.

(3) A company limited by guarantee or other body corporate which provides or is to provide OOH services and which wishes to be approved as an employing authority must make a written application to a Health and Social Services Board appointed by the Department to act on its behalf (“the appointed Board”).

(4) An application referred to in paragraph (3) may specify the date from which approval by the appointed Board (if given) shall have effect (“the nominated date”).

(5) If a company limited by guarantee or other body corporate makes an application and—

(a)the appointed Board is satisfied that the company or other body corporate meets the conditions for approval or will do so at any nominated date which is later than the approval date; and

(b)it approves that application, that approval shall take effect on the later of the nominated date and the approval date.

(6) If paragraph (5) applies, HSC employment shall be treated as commencing on the later of the nominated date (if any) and the approval date.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation the conditions for approval are those referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) as the case may be.

(8) The appointed Board may give an OOH provider a notice in writing terminating its participation in [F105this Section of] the Scheme where that provider—

(a)does not have in force a guarantee, indemnity or bond as required by the Department in accordance with regulation 33;

(b)has ceased to satisfy the conditions for approval;

(c)has notified the Health and Social Services Board that any one of the following events has occurred in respect of it—

(i)a proposal for a voluntary arrangement has been made or approved under Part II of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 M18 (“the 1989 Order”); or

(ii)an administration application has been made, or a notice of intention to appoint an administrator has been filed with the court, or an administrator has been appointed under Part III of the 1989 Order; or

(iii)a receiver, manager or administrative receiver has been appointed under Part IV of the 1989 Order; or

(iv)a winding-up petition has been presented, a winding-up order has been made or a resolution for voluntary winding-up has been passed under Part V or Part VI of the 1989 Order or an instrument of dissolution has been drawn up in accordance with section 67 of the Industrial and Provident Societies (Northern Ireland) Act 1969 M19; or

(v)notice has been received by it that it may be struck off the register of companies, or an application to strike it off has been made, under Part XX of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 M20.

(9) An OOH provider—

(a)must give the appointed Board notice in writing upon the occurrence of any of the events referred to in paragraph (8)(c) and must give such notice on the same day as that event;

(b)that wishes to cease to participate in [F106this Section of] the Scheme must give the appointed Board and its employees not less than 3 months notice in writing (to commence with the date of the notice) of that fact.

(10) An OOH provider must cease to participate in [F107this Section of] the Scheme on—

(a)such date as the appointed Board may specify in a notice under paragraph (8);

(b)the day upon which the period referred to in paragraph (9)(b) expires if a notice under that provision has been given.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

CHAPTER 2N.I.MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility: generalN.I.

21.—(1) A person is eligible to be an active member of [F108this Section of] the Scheme [F109on or after 1st April 2015] if conditions A to C are met and the person is not prevented by regulation 22, 23 or 26.

(2) Condition A is that the person is in HSC employment.

[F110(3) Condition B is that the person—

(a)enters HSC employment on or after 1st April 2008 and has service (“relevant service”) as an active member of this Section of the scheme—

(i)on or before 1st April 2012, or

(ii)after 1st April 2012, but only where that service is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 10;

(b)has not had a break in service for any one period of five years or more ending in the period starting on 2nd April 2012 and finishing on 1st April 2015; and

(c)meets all of the “other Section conditions” (see paragraph (5)).

(4) Condition C is that the person has not reached the age of 75 and was born on, or before, 31st August 1960.

(5) The “other section conditions” are that—

(a)the person has not received a repayment of contributions under regulation 44 (Repayment of contributions) in respect of their relevant service;

(b)the person’s rights under this Section of the Scheme in respect of their relevant service have not been extinguished under regulation 99;

(c)the person is not entitled to a repayment of contributions under regulation 44 by virtue of paragraph (2)(a) to (c) of that regulation.

(6) A person—

(a)who—

(i)was in pensionable employment on 31st March 2012 but ceased to be so after that date, or

(ii)ceased HSC employment before 1st April 2012,

and is not the subject of a direction made under Article 12 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972,

(b)who would, if paragraph (a) did not apply, fall within regulation 22(1B) to (1G), and

(c)to whom the Treasury’s guidance “Fair Deal for staff pensions: staff transfer from central government” applies,

may, if the Department considers it appropriate and makes a direction under Article 12 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, be a member of this Section of the scheme.]

Textual Amendments

F108Words in reg. 21(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Additional Voluntary Contributions), and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/22), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 1

[F111Eligibility: transitionalN.I.

21A.—(1) A person is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if—

(a)the person is not prevented from being so by regulation 22, 23 or 26, and

(b)either—

(i)the Department has accepted that person’s option to join this Section of Scheme under Chapter 10 of Part 2, or

(ii)that person meets all of the requirements in paragraph (2).

(2) Those requirements are that the person—

(a)is under age 75,

(b)was an active member of the 1995 Section on or after 1st April 2008,

(c)became a pensioner member of the 1995 Section on or before 1st October 2009,

(d)has either—

(i)returned to HSC employment since becoming a pensioner member referred to in sub-paragraph (c), or

(ii)commenced for the first time HSC employment, and

(e)is not eligible to be an active member of the 1995 Section in respect of the employment referred to in sub-paragraph (d).

This is subject to paragraphs (3) to (8).

(3) A person referred to in paragraph (2) is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme, from the day immediately following the end of Waiting Period A, if that person is entitled to a pension under one of the following regulations of the 1995 Regulations—

(a)12 (Normal retirement pension),

(b)13A(3)(a) (tier 1 ill-health pension on early retirement),

(c)14A (Early retirement pension (termination of employment by employing authority)), or

(d)16 (Early retirement pension with actuarial reduction).

(4) A person referred to in paragraph (2) shall be eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme, from the day immediately following the longer of Waiting Period A and Waiting Period B, if that person is entitled to a pension under one of the following regulations of the 1995 Regulations—

(a)13 (Early retirement pension (ill health)),

(b)14 (Early retirement pension (redundancy etc)).

(5) If a person referred to in paragraph (2) is entitled to a pension under regulation 13A(3)(b) (tier 2 ill-health pension on early retirement), that person shall be eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme from the day immediately following whichever of the following occurs last—

(a)the anniversary of that person entering HSC employment, or

(b)the end of Waiting Period A.

(6) A person to whom paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (3)(b) applies and who is entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A(3)(a) of the 1995 Regulations, ceases to be eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme from the date the Department makes a determination that that person is entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension in place of that tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13B(3) of those Regulations (Re-assessment of ill-health condition determined under regulation 13A).

(7) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)“Waiting Period A” is a period of two calendar years beginning on the day the person becomes entitled to the pension under the 1995 Regulations;

(b)“Waiting Period B” is a period beginning on the day the person becomes entitled to the pension under the 1995 Regulations which is equal to the calendar length of—

(i)any increase to the person’s superannuable service in the 1995 Section which has been applied in accordance with paragraph (3) of regulation 13 of the 1995 Regulations (Early retirement pension (ill health), or

(ii)any additional service with which the person has been credited in accordance with regulation 5 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Compensation for Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983.

(8) This regulation applies to any person who has previously been an active member of a corresponding 1995 scheme as though any reference to—

(a)the “1995 Section” includes a reference to that corresponding 1995 scheme;

(b)the “1995 Regulations” includes a reference to any regulations, orders, rules or other instruments governing that corresponding 1995 scheme;

(c)regulations “12”, “13”, “13A”, “13A(3)(a)”, “13A(3)(b)”, “13B(3)”, “14”, “14A” or “16” includes the equivalent of those regulations in a health service scheme the provisions of which correspond to the 1995 Regulations, and

(d)“regulation 5 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Compensation for Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983” includes the equivalent of that regulation as it applies to a member of a corresponding 1995 scheme.]

Textual Amendments

Restrictions on eligibility: generalN.I.

22.—[F112(A1) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of service in HSC employment after 31st March 2022.

(A2) Paragraphs (1) to (11) apply in respect of service in HSC employment before 1st April 2022.]

[F113(A3) Nothing in paragraphs (1A) and (1C) to (1L) prevents a member’s remediable service within the meaning of section 1 of the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 being treated as pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme in accordance with section 2 of that Act (Remediable service treated as pensionable under Chapter 1 legacy schemes).]

(1) A person who is entitled to the immediate payment of a pension under [F114this Section of] the Scheme under a regulation that requires the person not to be in HSC employment may only be an active member in accordance with—

(a)regulation 49 (partial retirement (members aged at least 55)),

(b)regulation 112 (effect of re-employment on tier 2 ill-health pensions),

(c)regulation 57 (exceptions to requirement that HSC employment must have ceased), or

(d)Chapter 7.

[F115(1A) A person who was born on, or after, 1st September 1960 is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of service in HSC employment on, or after, 1st April 2015.

(1B) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if that person has had a break in service ending on or after 2nd April 2012, and any of the following apply—

(a)that break in service is for any one period of five years or more;

(b)that person receives a repayment of contributions under regulation 44 in respect of their service before that break (see regulation 21(3)(a));

(c)that person becomes entitled to a repayment of contributions under regulation 44 by virtue of paragraph (2)(a) to (c) of that regulation in respect of their service before that break; or

(c)that person’s rights under this Section of the Scheme in respect of their service before that break have been extinguished under regulation 99 because a transfer value payment is made in respect of them.

(1C) A person who on 1st April 2012 has attained the age of 55 may not contribute or accrue further pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme unless that person either—

(a)is, on 1st April 2015, an active member of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 21, or

(b)returns to HSC employment on or after 2nd April 2015 in circumstances where paragraph (1B)(a) does not apply.

(1D) Paragraph (1E) applies to a person—

(a)who, on 1st April 2012, has attained the age of 51 years and 7 months but has not attained the age of 55, and

(b)whose eligibility cessation date has not been reached (see paragraph (1F)).

(1E) A person referred to in paragraph (1D) may not contribute or accrue further pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme unless that person either—

(a)is, on 1st April 2015, an active member of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 21, or

(b)returns to HSC employment on or after 2nd April 2015 in circumstances where paragraph (1B)(a) does not apply.

(1F) For the purposes of paragraph (1D), a person’s eligibility cessation date is to be determined according to the formula—

where—

  • A is 1st April 2022

  • T is the number of months (rounded up to the nearest whole month) by which the person’s age on 1st April 2012 is less than 55.

(1G) For the purposes of paragraphs (1C)(b) and (1E)(b), any break in service where the member was in pensionable service in an existing scheme (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the 2014 Act) is to be disregarded.

(1H) Paragraph (1I) applies to a person who in the opinion of the Department—

(a)was previously an active member of a corresponding 2008 scheme;

(b)the regulations governing that corresponding scheme include provisions pursuant to subsection (5) of section 18 of the 2014 Act that provide for exceptions to subsection (1) of that section, and

(c)pursuant to those provisions, the member would have been eligible to re-join that corresponding scheme if the member had returned to HSC employment for the purposes of that scheme on the day the member commenced HSC employment within the meaning of these Regulations.

(1I) The Department may permit a person referred to in paragraph (1H) to join this Section of the Scheme and, for the purposes of paragraphs (1C) to (1G), the member’s previous pensionable employment under the corresponding scheme referred to in paragraph (1H) will be treated as is it were previous pensionable employment under this Section of the Scheme.

(1J) Paragraph (1K) applies to a person who, in the opinion of the Department—

(a)was previously an active member in respect of service in an existing scheme (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the 2014 Act),

(b)is not receiving a pension in respect of that service on the relevant day,

(c)the regulations of that existing scheme include provisions pursuant to subsection (5) of section 18 of the 2014 Act that provide for exceptions to subsection (1) of that section,

(d)pursuant to those provisions, the person would have been eligible to be an active member of the existing scheme if the member had returned to employment for the purposes of that scheme on the relevant day, and

(e)the member would, if the member’s previous service in the existing scheme had been previous service under this Section of the Scheme, have been eligible for active membership of this Section of the Scheme on the relevant day pursuant to paragraphs (1A) to (1G).

(1K) The Department may permit a person referred to in paragraph (1J) to join this Section of the Scheme and, for the purposes of paragraphs (1C) to (1G), the member’s previous service as an active member under the existing scheme referred to in paragraph (1J) will be treated as if it were previous service as an active member of this Section of the Scheme.

(1L) For the purposes of paragraphs (1J) and (1K) “the relevant day” is the day the member commences HSC employment for the purposes of these Regulations.

(1M) A person referred to in paragraph (1C), (1E), (1I) or (1K) may elect, using a form provided by the Department, not to make contributions or accrue further service under this Section of Scheme in accordance with whichever of those paragraphs apply, but instead (where eligible) to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme.

(1N) Such an election—

(a)is irrevocable,

(b)must be given to the Department before the date specified by the Department in the election form,

(c)is to be treated as having been given on the date the election form is received by the Department.

(1O) The date referred to in sub-paragraph (1N)(b) must be a date that is at least three months later than the date on which the Department provided the member with an election form.

(1P) An election shall be effective from the first day of the member’s pensionable employment in the 2008 Section falling on, or after, 1st April 2015, and from that date—

(a)that member is to be treated as if that member had been an active member of the 2015 Scheme; and

(b)contributions made in respect of the member in the 2008 Section shall be treated as if they had been contributions made in respect of that member in the 2015 Scheme.

(1Q) The Department may allow a member to exercise an election after the date specified under sub-paragraph (1N)(b) where the Department considers that the member has not had a reasonable opportunity to consider whether to exercise an election before that date.]

[F116(2) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if the person—

(a)became a pensioner member of the 1995 Section or a corresponding 1995 scheme on, or before, 1st April 2008 (except if paragraph (1)(b)(i) of regulation 21A applies to that person), or

(b)became a pensioner member of the 1995 Section or a corresponding 1995 scheme on, or after, that date (except if paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (ii) of regulation 21A applies to that person [F117or that person became an active member of this Section of the Scheme before reaching normal benefit age for the purposes of the 1995 Section] ), or

(c)is a deferred member of the 1995 Section or a corresponding 1995 scheme, but is not a deferred member—

(i)to whom regulation 21(5)(e), (f), (g) or (h) applies, and

(ii)in respect of whom permission of the Department to rejoin the 1995 Section has not been granted pursuant to regulation 7(3) of that Section (Restrictions on membership).]

(3) A person is not eligible to be an active member of [F114this Section of] the Scheme in respect of service in an employment if the person is an active member of a superannuation scheme established under Article 3 or 11 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 in respect of service in that employment.

(4) A person who is employed by a GDS provider (other than a dentist performer) is not eligible to be an active member of the Scheme in respect of service in that employment.

(5) A person who holds an honorary appointment and does not at the same time hold any other employment which entitles him to be a member of [F118this Section of] the Scheme is not eligible to be an active member of [F118this Section of] the Scheme.

(6) A person is not eligible to be an active member of [F118this Section of] the Scheme in any further employment if the person—

(a)becomes entitled to a tier 2 pension under regulation 52, and

(b)opts to exchange that pension for a lump sum in accordance with regulation 59.

[F119(7) A person is not eligible to be an active member of [F118this Section of] the Scheme in any future employment if the person—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 52; and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under that regulation on the date the Department makes a determination under regulation 53(3).

  • This is subject to paragraph (8).

(8) A person to whom paragraph (7) applies is eligible to be an active member of [F118this Section of] the Scheme in any further employment after the first anniversary of that person’s first day of such employment following the date of the Department’s determination under regulation 53.]

[F120(9) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if that person is a person, other than a registered dentist, who is employed as a dental pilot scheme employee otherwise than by a HSC Trust, and who either—

(a)was, immediately prior to the commencement of such employment, a HSC dental employee who was not eligible to join the scheme; or

(b)has not previously been in employment as a HSC dental employee.

(10) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if that person is a provider of personal dental services under a pilot scheme to whom these Regulations did not apply immediately prior to the commencement of the pilot scheme, other than a registered dentist.]

[F121(11) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if that person is employed by a GP Federation but does not assist in the provision of health and personal social services provided by that GP Federation.]

Textual Amendments

Concurrent employmentsN.I.

23.—(1) This regulation applies if for any period a person holds two or more employments in respect of which the person is (or apart from this regulation would be) eligible to be an active member of [F122this Section of] the Scheme.

(2) The person may only be such a member in respect of so many hours or, as the case may be, sessions in each such employment as, in the opinion of the Department, do not, taken together, exceed a comparable whole-time employment not held concurrently with any other employment.

(3) If the person is such a member in respect of two or more employments which, in the opinion of the Department, when taken together exceed a comparable whole-time employment not held concurrently with any other employment, the person is not eligible to be an active member in respect of any employment (or part of an employment) which exceeds a comparable whole time employment not held concurrently with any other employment.

(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), two or more employments taken together exceed a comparable whole-time employment if the total number of hours or sessions under the employments exceeds the number of hours or sessions that would, in the opinion of the Department, constitute a comparable whole-time employment under which services of the kinds performed in the two or more employments were performed.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation an employment is “whole-time” if it is employment for such number of hours or sessions as in the opinion of the Department amounts to whole-time employment in the case of an employment for services of the kind performed in the two or more employments.

(6) A person may participate in [F122this Section of] the Scheme in respect of employment as an officer even if he also participates in Part 3 in respect of concurrent employment as a practitioner.

Textual Amendments

Joining and leaving the SchemeN.I.

Joining [F123this Section of] the SchemeN.I.

24.—[F124(1) Subject to paragraph (3), a person in HSC employment who is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme, becomes such a member, unless absent from work for any reason, on either—

(a)the commencement of the person’s employment; or

(b)where the person has previously opted out of this Section of the Scheme under regulation 25(1) and is a person to whom section 3 or section 5 of the 2008 Act applies—

(i)on that person’s automatic enrolment date, or

(ii)on that person’s automatic re-enrolment date, except where the notice referred to in regulation 25(1) was given within 12 months immediately preceding that date.]

(2) A person who is eligible to be such a member by virtue of falling within regulation 21(3)(b) may opt to become such a member by giving notice in writing to the employing authority.

[F125(3) A person who has previously exercised an option to opt out of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 25(1) in respect of an employment in which that person was an active member, and who remains eligible to be an active member in respect of that employment, may opt to join or re-join this Section of the scheme by giving notice in writing to the employing authority in such form as the Department requires.]

(4) A notice under paragraph (3) takes effect—

(a)from the beginning of the first pay period to begin after the notice is received by the employing authority, or

(b)if the notice specifies a date that is the first day of a later pay period, from that date.

(5) A notice under paragraph (3) may not be given by a person who is absent from work for any reason.

F126(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Opting out of [F127this Section of] the SchemeN.I.

25.—(1) A person who is an active member of [F127this Section of] the Scheme in any [F128HSC] employment may opt at any time to cease to be such a member by giving notice in writing to the person's employing authority.

(2) A person who so opts ceases to be such a member on the date the notice takes effect.

(3) The notice takes effect—

(a)from the beginning of the first pay period to begin after the notice is received by the employing authority, or

(b)if the notice specifies a later date, from the beginning of the first pay period after that in which the specified date falls.

[F129(4) A person to whom paragraph (1)(a) of regulation 24 applies in respect of an employment who gives notice in writing under paragraph (1) of this regulation within one month of the date of commencing that HSC employment, is treated as not having become an active member by virtue of that regulation.

(5) A notice under paragraph (1) shall cease to have effect on the day immediately preceding, as the case may be, the person’s—

(a)automatic enrolment date; or

(b)automatic re-enrolment date: this does not apply where the notice was given within the 12 months immediately preceding that date.

(6) This regulation does not apply to a person to whom sections 3, 5 or 8 of the 2008 Act) and regulations 9 or 15 of the 2010 Regulations) applies (that is, a person who is subject to automatic enrolment or automatic re-enrolment in this Section of the Scheme as a qualifying scheme who does not wish to participate in it): this paragraph does not affect the rights of such a person who subsequently becomes a member of this Section of the Scheme in circumstances where those provisions of the 2008 Act and 2010 Regulations do not apply.]

Textual Amendments

Restriction on further participation in [F130this Section of] the SchemeN.I.

26.—(1) A person who ceases to meet any of conditions A to C in regulation 21 in an employment or is prevented by regulation 22 or 23 from continuing to be an active member in an employment must cease to be an active member of [F130this Section of] the Scheme in that employment.

(2) Accordingly—

(a)a person within paragraph (1) may not make any further contributions to [F130this Section of] the Scheme under Chapter 3, and

(b)any further service of the person is not pensionable service for the purposes of [F130this Section of] the Scheme.

Textual Amendments

CHAPTER 3N.I.CONTRIBUTIONS

Basic contributions by membersN.I.

[F131Contributions by membersN.I.

27—(1) Each active member must make contributions to this Section of the Scheme (“member contributions”) in respect of—

(a)the member’s pensionable pay in accordance with regulation 28 where the member is not a non-GP provider;

(b)the member’s pensionable earnings in accordance with regulation 30 where the member is a non-GP provider.

(2) Member contributions must be made—

(a)until the member completes 45 years’ pensionable service, or

(b)where the notice required by regulation 7(3) has been properly received, until the member ceases officer service.

(3) In the case of a member who is not a non-GP Provider, the member’s employing authority must deduct member contributions from the member’s pensionable pay and pay them to the Department not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the pay was paid to the member.

(4) In the case of a member who is a non-GP Provider, the host Board must pay to the Department contributions under this regulation paid to it by the non-GP provider or paid to it by another employing authority not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid to the non-GP Provider.

(5) Paragraph (6) applies where a member has failed to pay member contributions or an employing authority has failed to deduct such contributions in accordance with this regulation.

(6) The Department may recover any sum that remains due in respect of contributions referred to in paragraph (5) by deduction from any payment by way of benefits to, or in respect of, the member if—

(a)the member agrees to such a deduction; and

(b)the deduction is to the member’s advantage.

(7) Paragraph (6) is without prejudice to any other method of recovery the Department may have.

(8) A member who is absent from service in circumstances within regulation 9(1) to [F132(3A)] , may make contributions to this Section of the Scheme in respect of the member’s pensionable pay or, as the case may be, pensionable earnings in accordance with that regulation and whichever of regulation 28 or 30 applies to that member.

(9) If, apart from this paragraph, the pay or, as the case may be, earnings for a scheme year in respect of a member’s service would not be a whole number of pounds, that pay or, as the case may be, those earnings must be rounded down to the nearest whole pound.]

Textual Amendments

[F133Contribution rate for members other than non-GP providersN.I.

28—(1) Contributions under regulation 27(1)(a) must be paid at the member’s contribution rate for the scheme year in question.

[F134(2) A member’s contribution rate for each [F135scheme year from 2015-2016] is the percentage specified in column 2 of the following table in respect of the corresponding pensionable pay band specified in column 1 of that table into which the member’s pensionable pay falls.

[F136Scheme Years from 2015-2016]

Column 1

Pensionable Pay band

Column 2

Contribution percentage rate

Up to £15,4315%
£15,432 to £21,4775.6%
£21,478 to £26,8237.1%
£26,824 to £47,4859.3%
£47,486 to £70,63012.5%
£70,631 to £111,37613.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount14.5%]

F137(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The pensionable pay bands and contribution percentage rates shall be determined in accordance with [F138the tables set out in this regulation] in respect of each scheme year.

F139(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F140[F14129 Determination of pensionable pay for the purposes of setting a contribution rate for members other than non-GP Providers]N.I.

29.—(1) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)“previous scheme year” means the scheme year immediately preceding the scheme year in respect of which contributions are payable in accordance with this part (“the current scheme year”); and

(b)if a member holds two or more pensionable employments at the same time—

(i)the determinations referred to in paragraphs (4) to (21) shall apply to each such employment separately; and

(ii)each such employment shall be treated separately for the purpose of paying contributions.

(2) For the purposes of determining the relevant annual contribution rate for the current scheme year paragraphs (3) to (15) apply to a member who is in pensionable employment with the same employing authority on both the last day of the previous scheme year and the first day of the current scheme year.

  • This is subject to paragraphs (16) and (17).

(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (4) to (15)—

(a)a member shall be regarded as being in pensionable employment throughout the previous scheme year regardless of any period in that year during which the member continued to be employed by the same employer but did not make contributions to [F142this Section of] the scheme;

(b)for the purposes of calculating the member’s pensionable pay—

(i)contributions for any period referred to in sub-paragraph (a) shall be deemed to have been paid,

(ii)any additional pensionable pay that the member is treated as having received during an absence from work in accordance with regulation 14 shall be included;

(c)the amount of pensionable pay determined in accordance with those paragraphs shall be rounded down to the nearest whole pound.

(4) If a member—

(a)was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;

(b)paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay received during the previous scheme year.

(5) If a member—

(a)was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;

(b)paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by reference to the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment during the previous scheme year.

(6) If a member—

(a)was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a combination of a whole-time and part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;

(b)paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the aggregate of—

(i)the member’s pensionable pay received during the previous scheme year in respect of the member’s whole-time employment, and

(ii)the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment for that period in respect of the member’s part-time employment.

(7) If a member—

(a)was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;

(b)did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • RPP is the pensionable pay received in respect of that employment for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.

(8) If a member—

(a)was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;

(b)did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • CWTE is the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.

(9) If a member—

(a)was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a combination of a whole-time and part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;

(b)did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • RPP is the pensionable pay received for the whole-time employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • CWTE is the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.

(10) If a member—

(a)commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis during the previous scheme year;

(b)paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • RPP is the pensionable pay received in respect of that employment during the previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer during the previous scheme year.

(11) If a member—

(a)commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis during the previous scheme year;

(b)paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • CWTE is the amount the Department determines would have been paid for that employment during the previous scheme year in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer during the previous scheme year.

(12) If a member—

(a)commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority during the previous scheme year and has since been employed on both a whole-time and part-time basis;

(b)paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • RPP is the pensionable pay received for the whole-time employment with that employer during the previous scheme year;

  • CWTE is the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that employer during the previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer during the previous scheme year.

(13) If a member—

(a)commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis during the previous scheme year;

(b)did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • RPP is the pensionable pay received in respect of that employment for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.

(14) If a member—

(a)commences pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis during the previous scheme year;

(b)did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • CWTE is the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.

(15) If a member—

(a)commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority during the previous scheme year and has since been employed on both a whole-time and part-time basis with that employing authority;

(b)did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and

(c)is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in paragraph (2)] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

where—

  • RPP is the pensionable pay received for the whole-time employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • CWTE is the amount the Department determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that employer for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.

(16) If, at any time during the current scheme year, a member commences a new employment, the member shall pay contributions in respect of that employment at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in [F144paragraph (2)]] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined in accordance with paragraph (20).

(17) Subject to paragraph (18), if at any time during the current scheme year, a change is made to a member’s annual rate of pensionable pay or pensionable allowances in respect of an existing employment the member shall pay contributions—

(a)from the first day of the next pay period immediately following the pay period in which the change is made at the rate specified in column 2 of [F143the table in [F145paragraph (2)]] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined in accordance with paragraph (20); and

(b)as if the member’s employment had commenced on that date.

(18) Paragraph (17) does not apply to a change made to a member’s annual rate of pensionable allowances in respect of an existing employment that is determined by that member’s employer to have been made in respect of—

(a)unplanned changes to that member’s duties; or

(b)changes to that member’s duties that are unlikely to persist for at least 12 months.

(19) If the change to a member’s pensionable pay referred to in paragraph (17) is made in respect of an existing part-time employment, that paragraph shall not apply unless there is a corresponding change to the amount of pensionable pay that would be paid to that member in respect of a whole-time comparable employment.

(20) Where paragraph (16) or (17) apply the Department shall determine the member’s pensionable pay—

(a)by applying the formula—

where—

  • EPP is the estimated pensionable pay that the member’s employing authority estimates will be payable to the member in respect of that employment during the current scheme year;

  • NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment from the date employment commences to the end of the current scheme year; and

(b)if the further employment is part-time employment, by determining how much would be paid in respect of a whole-time comparable employment,

with the amount determined under sub-paragraph (a) being the member’s pensionable pay for the purposes of this paragraph if the further employment is whole-time employment and the amount determined under sub-paragraph (b) being the member’s pensionable pay for the purposes of this paragraph if the further employment is part-time employment.

(21) If none of paragraphs (4) to (17) apply—

(a)the Department must determine the amount of the member’s pensionable pay, and in doing so shall, in addition to the matters referred to in paragraph (4) of regulation 28, have regard to the pensionable pay attributable to pensionable employment comparable to the member’s employment, prevailing pay scales and prevailing rates of pensionable allowances; and

(b)the member shall pay contributions at the rate specified in column 2 of [F146the table in [F147paragraph (2)]] of regulation 28 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (a).

(22) If, during the current scheme year—

(a)a payment is made to a member in respect of work that was undertaken by that member—

(i)during an earlier scheme year, or

(ii)during a period before the percentage rate at which contributions are due from that member changed by virtue of paragraph (16) or (17), or

(iii)in part during the scheme year referred to in head (i) and in part during the period referred to in head (ii);

(b)that member is in pensionable employment with the employing authority making that payment on the day that it is made; and

(c)that payment does not exceed £150,

for all purposes under [F142this Section of] the scheme—

(i)that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to the member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the current scheme year, and

(ii)contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day that the payment is made.

(23) If, during the current scheme year—

(a)a payment is made to a member in respect of work that was undertaken by that member—

(i)during an earlier scheme year, or

(ii)during a period before the percentage rate at which contributions are due from that member changed by virtue of paragraph (16) or (17), or

(iii)in part during the scheme year referred to in head (i) and in part during the period referred to in head (ii);

(b)that member is not in pensionable employment with the employing authority making that payment on the day that it is made; and

(c)that payment does not exceed £150,

for all purposes under [F142this Section of] the scheme—

(i)that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to the member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the scheme year in which the member’s pensionable employment with that employing authority ceased, and

(ii)contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day that the member’s employment ceased.

(24) If, during the current scheme year—

(a)a payment is made to a member that is determined by that member’s employing authority to have been made in respect of work done during unsocial hours;

(b)that payment is made in respect of work undertaken by that member during a period falling within the two calendar months immediately preceding the calendar month in which that payment is made; and

(c)on the day that payment is made that member is in pensionable employment with the employing authority by which that payment is made,

for all purposes under [F142this Section of] the scheme—

(i)that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to that member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the current scheme year,

(ii)contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day that the payment is made.

(25) If, during the current scheme year—

(a)a payment is made to a member that is determined by that member’s employing authority to have been made in respect of work done during unsocial hours;

(b)that payment is made in respect of work undertaken by that member during a period falling within the two calendar months immediately preceding the calendar month in which that payment is made, and

(c)on the day that payment is made that member is not in pensionable employment with the employing authority by which that payment is made,

for all purposes under [F142this Section of] the scheme—

(i)that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to that member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the current scheme year,

(ii)contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day the member’s pensionable employment with that employing authority ceased as determined in accordance with this regulation.

(26) In any case where paragraph (16) applies and it is apparent at the time when the person becomes an active member in an employment under this Part the person’s pensionable pay in that employment includes any amount that is variable, that amount is to be taken as such amount as the employing authority consider appropriate for [F148the current scheme year] and, in the case of a member who works part time, is the variable amount that would be paid in respect of a comparable whole time employment.

(27) If a transfer payment from a corresponding health service scheme is accepted in respect of a person, the person is treated for the purposes of this regulation as if—

(a)the person was an active member of [F142this Section of] the Scheme during any period during which the person was an active member of that scheme; and

(b)the pay by reference to which the person’s benefits under that scheme were calculated was pensionable pay for the purposes of [F142this Section of] the Scheme.]

Textual Amendments

[F149Contribution rate and determination of pensionable earnings for non-GP providersN.I.

30—(1) Member contributions payable by a non-GP Provider under regulation 27(1)(b) must be paid at the member’s contribution rate for the scheme year in question.

(2) A member’s contribution rate is the percentage specified in column 2 of the relevant table in paragraph (14) in respect of the corresponding pensionable earnings band specified in column 1 of that table into which the member’s pensionable earnings falls.

(3) The pensionable earnings bands and contribution percentage rates shall be determined in accordance with the relevant table in respect of each scheme year.

(4) Paragraph (5) applies where, in respect of a scheme year, a non-GP provider—

(a)has certified their pensionable earnings in accordance with regulation 136 and forwarded a record of those earnings to the host Board, or

(b)was not required to certify their earnings in accordance with that regulation but the host Board has the figure that represents the non-GP provider’s pensionable earnings for that scheme year.

(5) In the circumstances referred to in paragraph (4), contributions payable for the scheme year in question shall be those specified in column 2 of the relevant table in paragraph (14) in respect of the amount of pensionable earnings referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to—

(a)the certified or final pensionable earnings from all non-GP provider sources, and

(b)any additional pensionable earnings the non-GP provider is treated as having received during a break in service in accordance with regulation 14.

(6) If paragraph (4) does not apply to a non-GP provider in respect of a scheme year, that non-GP provider shall pay contributions at the rate in column 2 of the relevant table in paragraph (14), on the basis of whichever of the following the host Board considers the most appropriate in the circumstances—

(a)an amount of the non-GP provider’s earnings that has been agreed between the host Board on the one hand and the non-GP provider on the other hand;

(b)an amount of the non-GP provider’s earnings that corresponds to that non-GP provider’s most recent certified or final pensionable earnings referred to in paragraph (4); or

(c)an amount of such earnings that corresponds to the host Board’s estimate of that non-GP provider’s pensionable earnings from all non-GP provider sources for that year.

This is subject to paragraph (7).

(7) If paragraph (6) applies to a non-GP provider in respect of a scheme year and paragraph (4)(a) or (b) is subsequently satisfied in respect of that scheme year, that non-GP provider shall pay contributions at the rate determined in accordance with paragraph (5).

(8) A host Board may adjust a non-GP provider’s contribution rate for any scheme year determined in accordance with paragraph (6)—

(a)by agreement between the host Board on the one hand and the non-GP provider on the other hand, or

(b)without such agreement, if the host Board is satisfied that pensionable earnings of the non-GP provider will exceed the amount used to determine the contribution rate in accordance with that paragraph.

(9) If a member is in non-GP provider service and concurrently in practitioner service in respect of which the member is liable to pay contributions in accordance with regulation 160, contributions payable in respect of the member’s non-GP provider service shall be determined under this regulation and contributions payable in respect of the member’s practitioner service shall be determined under regulation 161.

(10) In determining member contributions payable in accordance with this regulation, a host Board must take account of pensionable earnings from all non-GP provider sources, including any pensionable earnings as a non-GP provider determined by another host Board.

(11) An employing authority that is not a host Board shall, in respect of any pensionable earnings it pays to a non-GP provider, take advice from any relevant host Board in determining the contributions payable in accordance with this regulation.

(12) Where paragraph (13) does not apply, a non-GP provider shall pay member contributions to the host Board.

(13) If a non-GP provider is engaged under a contract of service or for services by an employing authority or is a partner or shareholder in an employing authority that is not an OOH provider, that authority must—

(a)deduct contributions due under this regulation from any pensionable earnings it pays that person, and

(b)if it is not also the host Board, pay those contributions to that Board not later than the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.

[F150(14) For the purposes of this paragraph, the “relevant table” means—

(a)in respect of the 2014-2015 scheme year, Table 1;

[F151(b)in respect of each scheme year from 2015-2016, Table 2.]

Table 1
Scheme Year 2014-15

Column 1

Pensionable Earnings Band

Column 2

Contribution Percentage Rate

Up to £15,4315%
£15,432 to £21,4775.6%
£21,478 to £26,8237.1%
£26,824 to £49,4729.3%
£49,473 to £70,63012.5%
£70,631 to £111,37613.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount14.5%
Table 2
[F152Scheme Years from 2015-2016]

Column 1

Pensionable Earnings Band

Column 2

Contribution Percentage Rate

Up to £15,4315%
£15,432 to £21,4775.6%
£21,478 to £26,8237.1%
£26,824 to £47,8459.3%
£47,846 to £70,63012.5%
£70,631 to £111,37613.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount14.5%]]

Textual Amendments

Contributions by employing authoritiesN.I.

[F153Contributions by employing authorities: generalN.I.

31—(1) The employing authority of a member who is an active member of this Section of the Scheme under this Part must contribute to the scheme, in respect of the pensionable pay, or as the case may be, pensionable earnings of that member, at the rate specified in paragraph (4) (“the employer’s standard rate”).

(2) In specifying the employer’s standard rate, the Department must—

(a)obtain the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel, and

(b)take account of the advice of the Scheme actuary and the cost of providing for any increase in pensions under this Section of the Scheme as a result of orders made under the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 and Article 69 of the Social Security Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1975.

(3) If for any period a person holds more than one employment (whether under a contract of service or for services) with an employing authority in respect of which the person is an active member of the Scheme, this regulation and regulation 32 apply in respect of each of those employments as if it were the only employment held.

(4) The employer’s standard rate is [F15422.5%] .

(5) In any particular case the Department may direct that, for the purposes of this Chapter, “employing authority” includes one or more of—

(a)a successor, transmittee or assignee of an employing authority’s business or functions;

(b)the last employing authority of a person to whom these Regulations apply.

(6) If a non-GP provider is—

(a)an employing authority which is a GMS practice or an APMS contractor, or

(b)a shareholder or partner in such an employing authority,

that employing authority shall pay employer’s standard rate contributions to the host Board not later than the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.

This is subject to paragraph (7).

(7) If a non-GP provider is a shareholder or partner in more than one employing authority referred to in paragraph (6), each employing authority must pay employer’s standard rate contributions on any pensionable earnings it pays to the non-GP provider or, as the case may be, on the non-GP provider’s share of the partnership profits, to the host Board not later than the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.

(8) If paragraph (13) of regulation 30 applies (but paragraph (6) of this regulation does not) and the employing authority referred to in regulation 30(13)—

(a)is not the host Board, that authority must pay employer’s standard rate contributions under this regulation to the host Board not later than the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid;

(b)is the host Board, that Board must pay employer’s standard rate contributions under this regulation to the Department in respect of any pensionable earnings it pays to the non-GP provider.

(9) Not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which pensionable pay or, as the case may be, pensionable earnings are paid to a member, the employer’s standard rate contributions under this regulation must be paid to the Department—

(a)in the case of a member other than a non-GP provider, by that member’s employing authority,

(b)in the case of a non-GP provider, by the host Board.]

Textual Amendments

Contributions by employing authorities: members becoming entitled to pensions under regulation 55N.I.

32.—(1) If a pension becomes payable to a member under regulation 55 (early retirement on termination of employment by employing authority), the employing authority must make a contribution to the Department in respect of—

[F155(a)the cost of providing the pension under that regulation for the period between the member leaving the employment in which the member was an active member and reaching the age of 65—

(i)before any part of that pension is exchanged for a lump sum under regulation 58, and

(ii)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, after that pension is reduced in accordance with regulation 136L;]

(b)the cost of providing for any increase in the rate of the benefits referred to in sub-paragraph (a) for that period as a result of orders made under Article 69 of the Social Security Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 (so far as not already met by contributions made under regulation 31(1))[F156; and

(c)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the additional cost attributable to the early payment of the lump sum to be paid to such an Optant under regulation 136L.]

(2) If, on a pension under regulation 55 becoming payable to a member in respect of the termination of the member's employment with an employing authority (“the first authority”), a pension also becomes payable to the member in respect of pensionable service with one or more other employing authorities, the first authority must also make any additional contributions due in accordance with paragraph (1) in respect of that other pension.

(3) An employing authority is not responsible for meeting any costs in respect of the early payment of benefits to the extent that the benefits are attributable to contributions made under regulation 34, 36 or 37.

(4) Any contributions payable under this regulation must be paid—

(a)except in a case within sub-paragraph (b), by a single payment made within one month of the date on which the pension under regulation 55 became payable, or

(b)if the Department agrees, by not more than 5 equal annual instalments, the first of which is to be paid within one month of the date on which the pension under regulation 55 became payable and the others by 31st October in each of the following 4 scheme years.

[F157(4A) Sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (4) does not apply where the member leaves the employment in which the member was an active member on, or after, 1st April 2013.]

(5) The following amounts must be determined by the Department on the advice of the Scheme actuary—

(a)the costs mentioned in paragraph (1),

(b)the amount of the payment mentioned in paragraph (4)(a), and

(c)the amount of each of the instalments payable under paragraph (4)(b).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Guarantees, indemnities and bondsN.I.

33.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)an employing authority fails to pay contributions [F158or has previously failed to do so] in accordance with regulation 31 or 32, and

(b)the authority is—

(i)a GMS practice;

(ii)an APMS contractor; or

[F159(iii)an OOH provider; or

(iv)a GP Federation.]

(2) The Department may require the employing authority to have in force a guarantee, indemnity or bond which provides for payment to the Department, should that authority fail to meet them, of all future liabilities of the authority [F160(or such liabilities as are specified by the Department)] under—

(a)this Part, or

(b)the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 M21.

(3) The guarantee, indemnity or bond must be in such form, in respect of such an amount and provided by such a person as the Department approves for the purpose.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Additional contributions to purchase additional pensionsN.I.

Member's option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pensionN.I.

34.—(1) An active member may opt to make additional periodical contributions by monthly instalments during the contribution option period—

(a)to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) (including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member's pension for three or six months under Chapter 5 (death benefits)), or

(b)to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners and dependent children under Chapter 5 (death benefits) in respect of the member.

(2) A member may exercise the option under paragraph (1) more than once.

(3) If a member exercises an option under paragraph (1), the member's employing authority must—

(a)deduct the member's contributions from the member's earnings, and

(b)pay them to the Department not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.

(4) The annual amount of the periodical contributions payable at the beginning of the contribution option period must not be—

(a)an amount less than the minimum amount, or

(b)an amount other than a multiple of the minimum amount.

(5) In paragraph (4) “the minimum amount” means the amount that would, in accordance with tables prepared for the Department by the Scheme actuary for the scheme year in which the contributions are paid, be the amount of the contributions required to secure an increase in the member's pension of—

(a)£250, or

(b)such other amount as the Department may for the time being determine,

assuming that the contributions are made in accordance with the option for the remainder of the option period.

(6) The tables referred to in paragraph (5)—

(a)may specify different amounts for different descriptions of members, and

(b)may be amended during a scheme year,

but no such amendment affects the contributions payable during that year under any option, except an option under which contributions begin to be paid after the date on which the amendment takes effect.

(7) The total increase in the member's pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of—

(a)contributions made under regulation 36 (member's option to pay additional lump sum contributions to purchase additional pension), or

(b)contributions made under regulation 37 (payment of additional lump sum contributions by employing authority),

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Department may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member's pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 165 to 174).

(8) In this Part “the contribution option period”, in relation to an option under this regulation, means a period of whole years, that—

(a)is specified in the option,

(b)begins with the pay period in respect of which the first contribution is made under the option,

(c)is not less than 1 year nor more than 20 years, and

(d)does not end later than the member's 65th birthday.

[F161(9) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136D.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Effect of member being absent or leaving and rejoining [F162this Section of] the Scheme during the contribution option periodN.I.

35.—(1) This paragraph applies if during the contribution option period a member who has exercised the option under regulation 34 is absent from work because of—

(a)illness or injury,

(b)maternity leave,

(c)adoption leave,

(d)paternity leave,

(e)parental leave, [F163shared parental leave,] F164...

(f)a leave of absence of the kind mentioned in regulation 9(3)[F165, or]

[F166(g)parental bereavement leave.]

(2) If paragraph (1) applies—

(a)the contributions under the option continue to be payable unless the member ceases paying contributions under regulation 27, and

(b)where the member does so cease, the member may continue to make contributions in accordance with the option if the member resumes making contributions under regulation 27 before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member first ceased to pay those contributions.

(3) This paragraph applies if—

(a)a member exercises the option under regulation 34,

(b)the member ceases to be an active member during the contribution option period, and

(c)the member becomes an active member again before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member ceased to be an active member.

(4) If paragraph (3) applies, the member may continue to make contributions in accordance with the option after becoming an active member again unless a repayment of contributions has been made to the member under regulation 44.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) it does not matter whether the member has paid any of the repaid contributions back to the Department.

Textual Amendments

F163Words in reg. 35(1)(e) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 9

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Member's option to pay lump sum contribution to purchase additional pensionN.I.

36.—(1) An active member may opt to make a single lump sum contribution—

(a)to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) (including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member's pension for three or six months under Chapter 5 (death benefits)), or

(b)to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners or dependent children under Chapter 5 (death benefits) in respect of the member.

(2) A member may only make a contribution under this regulation of an amount that is—

(a)not less than the minimum amount, or

(b)in the case of an amount exceeding the minimum amount, a multiple of the minimum amount.

(3) In paragraph (2) “the minimum amount” means the amount that is, in accordance with tables prepared for the Department by the Scheme actuary, the amount of the single contribution required at the time that the option is exercised to secure an increase in the member's pension of—

(a)£250, or

(b)such other amount as the Department may for the time being determine.

(4) A member may exercise the option under paragraph (1) more than once.

(5) If a member exercises an option under paragraph (1)—

(a)the additional contribution is payable by the member to the employing authority—

(i)by deduction from the member's earnings or otherwise, and

(ii)before the end of the period of 1 month beginning with the day on which the member is notified by the Department that the option is accepted, and

(b)the employing authority must pay it to the Department not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid or, as the case may be, the authority received payment of the contribution.

(6) The total increase in the member's pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of—

(a)contributions made under regulation 34 (member's option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pension), or

(b)contributions made under regulation 37 (payment of additional lump sum contributions by employing authority),

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Department may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member's pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 165 to 174).

[F167(7) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136D.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Payment of additional lump sum contributions by employing authorityN.I.

37.—(1) The employing authority of an active member may opt to make a single lump sum contribution—

(a)to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) (including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member's pension for three or six months under Chapter 5 (death benefits)), or

(b)to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners or dependent children under Chapter 5 (death benefits) in respect of the member.

(2) An employing authority may only make a contribution under this regulation of an amount that is—

(a)not less than the minimum amount (as defined in regulation 36(3)), and

(b)in the case of an amount exceeding the minimum amount, a multiple of the minimum amount (as so defined).

(3) An employing authority may only exercise the option under paragraph (1) with the member's consent, but may exercise it more than once in respect of the same member.

(4) The total increase in the member's pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of—

(a)contributions made under regulation 34 (member's option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pension), or

(b)contributions made under regulation 36 (member's option to pay lump sum contribution to purchase additional pension),

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Department may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member's pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 165 to 174).

(5) A contribution under this regulation must be paid by the employing authority to the Department within one month of the date on which the authority gave the Department notice under regulation 38(2).

[F168(6) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136D.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Exercise of options under regulations 34, 36 and 37N.I.

38.—(1) A member exercising an option under regulation 34 or 36 must do so by giving notice in writing to the employing authority, giving such information as may be required and must, at the same time, provide the Department with a copy of that notice.

(2) An employing authority exercising an option under regulation 37 must do so by giving notice in writing to the Department, giving such information as may be required.

(3) An option under regulation 34, 36 or 37 may not be exercised during a period whilst the member is absent from work for any reason.

(4) For the purposes of this Part—

(a)a member is treated as exercising an option under regulation 34 or 36 on the date on which the employing authority receives the member's notice under paragraph (1), and

(b)an employing authority is treated as exercising an option under regulation 37 on the date on which the Department receives the authority's notice under paragraph (2).

(5) The Department may refuse to accept an option exercised under regulation 34, 36 or 37 and must do so if not satisfied that—

(a)the member is in good health, and

(b)in the case of an option exercised under regulation 34, there is no reason why the member's health should prevent the member from paying the contributions for the whole contribution period.

(6) If the Department refuses to accept such an option—

(a)the Department must give notice in writing of that fact—

(i)in the case of an option exercised under regulation 34 or 36, to the member, and

(ii)in the case of an option exercised under regulation 37, to the employing authority and the member, and

(b)this Part applies as if the option had not been exercised.

(7) This Part also applies as if an option under regulation 36 or 37 had not been exercised if—

(a)in the case of an option under regulation 36, the payment is not received by the employing authority—

(i)before the end of the period of 1 month beginning with the day on which the Department notifies the member of the acceptance of the option, or

(ii)if it is earlier, on or before the member's 65th birthday, and

(b)in the case of an option under regulation 37, the payment is not received by the Department—

(i)before the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the authority gave the Department notice under paragraph (2), or

(ii)if it is earlier, on or before the member's 65th birthday.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Cancellation of options under regulation 34N.I.

39.—(1) A member may cancel an option under regulation 34(1) by giving the employing authority notice in writing.

(2) If a member cancels such an option, the additional periodical contributions cease to be payable for the first pay period beginning after the date on which the employing authority receives the notice and all subsequent pay periods.

(3) If it appears to the Department that the requirement in regulation 34(7) (overall maximum) will not be met if the member continues to make periodical contributions under an option exercised under regulation 34, the Department may cancel the option by giving the member notice in writing.

(4) If the Department cancels such an option [F169in accordance with paragraph (3)] , the additional periodical contributions cease to be payable for the first pay period beginning after the date specified in the notice and all subsequent pay periods.

[F170(5) If, after the exercise of the option under regulation 34, the Department has reasonable grounds to believe that the member’s health will prevent the member from paying contributions for the whole contribution period, the Department may cancel the option by giving the member notice in writing.

(6) If the Department cancels such an option in accordance with paragraph (5)—

(a)the additional periodical contributions cease to be payable for the first pay period beginning after the date specified in the notice (“date of cancellation”) and all subsequent pay periods; and

(b)any periodical payments made prior to the date of cancellation shall be returned to the member.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Effect of payment of additional contributions under this ChapterN.I.

40.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)an option is exercised by a member under regulation 34 and all the contributions to be made under the option are made,

(b)an option is exercised by a member under regulation 36 or by a member's employing authority under regulation 37 and the lump sum payment is made.

(2) Subject to paragraph (9), the member's pension is increased by the full amount of the increase to be made in accordance with the terms of the option, after the final adjustment in that amount in accordance with regulation 43(revaluation of increases bought under options: members' pensions).

(3) Paragraph (2) is without prejudice to any increase or reduction falling to be made in the total amount of the member's pension under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) [F171or Chapter 10 of this Part] as a result of the member becoming entitled to payment of the pension before or after reaching the age of 65 (see regulations 47 to 49 [F171and 136U] ).

(4) In the case of an option under regulation 34(1)(b), 36(1)(b) or 37(1)(b), any pension payable under Chapter 5 (death benefits) in respect of the member is increased by the appropriate amount.

(5) In paragraph (4), subject to regulations 41 and 42(3), “the appropriate amount” means—

(a)in the case of a pension under regulation 67 the amount of which is determined under regulation 69 (active members) or regulation 71 (deferred members), 37.5% of the amount of the increase mentioned in paragraph (2) that would have applied in the member's case if the member had become entitled to the increase on the date of death (disregarding paragraph (3)),

(b)in the case of a pension under regulation 67 the amount of which is determined under regulation 70 (pensioner members), 37.5% of the amount of the increase in the member's pension as a result of the option,

(c)in the case of a pension under regulation 74 the amount of which is determined under regulation 76 (active members) or regulation 78 (deferred members), the appropriate fraction (within the meaning of regulation 76 or, as the case may be, regulation 78) of 75% of the amount of the increase mentioned in paragraph (2) that would have applied in the member's case if the member had become entitled to the increase on the date of death (disregarding paragraph (3)), and

(d)in the case of a pension under regulation 74 the amount of which is determined under regulation 77 (pensioner members), the appropriate fraction (within the meaning of that regulation) of 75% of the amount of the increase in the member's pension as a result of the option.

(6) Except as provided in regulation 49, no separate claim is required as respects any additional pension payable by virtue of this regulation.

(7) This regulation is subject to regulation 41.

(8) For the effect of the options under regulation 34 where this regulation does not apply, see regulation 42 (effect of part payment of periodical contributions).

(9) Paragraph (10) applies only to an option under regulations 34(1)(a), 36(1)(a) or 37(1)(a), where a pension is to be paid for either three or six months at the same rate as the member's pension was being paid at the date of that member's death.

(10) Any increase to the member's pension shall be included only in a benefit payable to a surviving partner or a dependent child in respect of the member under these Regulations whilst it is being paid at the rate and for the duration of one of the periods referred to in paragraph (9).

[F172(11) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136D.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Effect of death or early payment of pension after option exercised under regulation 34, 36 or 37N.I.

41.—(1) If a member in respect of whom an option under regulation 34, 36 or 37 has been exercised dies before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the option was exercised—

(a)an amount equal to the contributions paid under the option must be paid—

(i)in the case of an option under regulation 34 or 36, to the member's personal representatives, and

(ii)in the case of an option under regulation 37, to the employing authority which made the contribution, and

(b)regulation 40 (4) does not apply.

(2) If a member in respect of whom an option under regulation 34 has been exercised dies after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the option was exercised and before the end of the contribution option period, regulation 40 (4) applies as if all contributions due after the date of death had been made.

(3) If a member in respect of whom an option under regulation 34, 36 or 37 has been exercised becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 52 as a result of a claim made before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the option was exercised—

(a)regulation 40(2) and (4) does not apply, and

(b)an amount equal to the contributions paid under the option must be paid—

(i)in the case of an option under regulation 34 or 36, to the member, and

(ii)in the case of an option under regulation 37, to the employing authority which made the contribution.

(4) If a member in respect of whom an option under regulation 34 has been exercised becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 52 before the end of the contribution option period as a result of a claim made after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the option was exercised, regulation 40(2) and (4) applies as if all contributions under the option had been made.

[F173This is subject to regulation 39(5) and (6).]

(5) If a member in respect of whom an option under regulation 34, 36 or 37 has been exercised—

(a)becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 48, 54 or 55, or

(b)becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 49 before reaching the age of 65,

the increase in the member's pension under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) which would otherwise be due under regulation 40(2) or regulation 42 is reduced.

(6) The amount of the reduction is such amount as the Department determines, after consulting the Scheme actuary, to be appropriate by reason of the payment of the increase before the member reaches 65.

(7) This regulation is subject to regulation 42.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Effect of part payment of periodical contributionsN.I.

42.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)the full number and amount of contributions due under an option under regulation 34 for the whole contribution option period are not made, and

(b)regulation 41(1) to (4) does not apply.

(2) The increase in the member's pension under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) is the appropriate proportion of the increase that would have been made under regulation 40(2) if the full number and amount of contributions had been made (but taking account of regulation 41(5) if that applies).

(3) In the case of an option under regulation 34(1)(b), the increase in any benefit payable under Chapter 5 (death benefits) in respect of the member is the appropriate proportion of the increase that would have been made under regulation 40(4) if the full number and amount of contributions had been made (but taking account of regulation 41(5) if that applies).

(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), the appropriate proportion is calculated in accordance with such method as the Scheme actuary may determine and specify in guidance given to the Department.

(5) In making a determination under paragraph (4), the Scheme actuary must have regard to—

(a)the proportion that the total contributions paid bears to the full amount of contributions due under an option under regulation 34 for the whole contribution option period, and

(b)the preservation requirements.

[F174(6) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136D.]

Textual Amendments

[F175Revaluation of increases bought under options: members’ pensionsN.I.

43.—(1) Where an option under regulation 34, 36 or 37 has been exercised, the final amount of the increase in a member’s pension immediately before the beginning date for that pension shall be determined in accordance with this regulation.

(2) Where the increase in pension is in respect of an option that was exercised less than 2 months before the increase becomes payable, the final amount is calculated in accordance with paragraph (4).

(3) Where the increase in pension is in respect of an option that was exercised 2 or more months before the increase in pension becomes payable, the final amount is calculated in accordance with paragraph (5).

(4) The calculation referred to in paragraph (2) is as follows—

  • Step 1 – Calculate the basic amount of the increase in accordance with regulations 40 to 42, to find the Step 1 amount.

  • Step 2 – Add to the Step 1 amount an amount that is equal to any increases that would be due under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 on a pension of the same amount as the Step 1 amount when it first falls into payment, to find the Step 2 amount.

  • Step 3 – Divide the Step 2 amount by the Step 1 amount, to find the Step 3 factor.

  • Step 4 – Divide the Step 1 amount by the Step 3 factor, to find the final amount referred to in paragraph (1).

(5) The calculation referred to in paragraph (3) is as follows—

  • Step 1 – Calculate the basic amount of the increase in accordance with regulations 40 to 42, to find the Step 1 amount.

  • Step 2 – Multiply the Step 1 amount by the retail prices index for the second month before the month in which the increase in pension will become payable, to find the Step 2 amount.

  • Step 3 – Divide the Step 2 amount by the retail prices index for the month in which the option was exercised, to find the Step 3 amount.

  • Step 4 – Take the greater of the Step 1 amount and Step 3 amount, to find the Step 4 amount.

  • Step 5 – Add to the Step 4 amount an amount that is equal to any increases that would be due under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 on a pension of the same amount as the Step 4 amount when it first falls into payment, to find the Step 5 amount.

  • Step 6 – Divide the Step 5 amount by the Step 4 amount, to find the Step 6 factor.

  • Step 7 – Divide the Step 4 amount by the Step 6 factor, to find the final amount referred to in paragraph (1).

(6) In this regulation, “the beginning date”, in relation to a pension, means the date on which it is treated as beginning for the purposes of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 (see section 8(2) of that Act).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Repayment of contributionsN.I.

Repayment of contributionsN.I.

44.—(1) The contributions made by a member under this Chapter are not repayable in any circumstances except if—

(a)paragraph (2) applies, or

(b)Chapter V of Part IV of the 1993 Act (early leavers: cash transfer sums and contribution refunds) applies and the payment is made in accordance with that Chapter.

(2) This paragraph applies if—

(a)a person who is not a pensioner member ceases to be an active member and does not continue to be, or become, an active member for the purposes of Part 3 within 12 months of ceasing officer service,

(b)the person does not fall within sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of regulation 45(2) (former members entitled to a pension),

(c)paragraph (1)(b) does not apply, and

(d)the person claims repayment of contributions under this regulation by applying in writing to the Department.

(3) If paragraph (1)(b) applies, the person is entitled to be paid the amount to which the person is entitled under Chapter V of Part IV of the 1993 Act, less—

(a)such part of any contributions equivalent premium paid in respect of the person as is permitted by or under section 57 of the 1993 Act, and

(b)an amount equal to the income tax payable under section 205 of the Finance Act 2004 (short service refund lump sum charge) as a result of the repayment.

(4) If paragraph (2) applies, the person is entitled to be paid an amount equal to the sum of the contributions made by the person under this Chapter, less the amounts mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) and (b).

(5) If a repayment is made under this regulation, the member's rights under [F176this Section of] the Scheme are extinguished unless the person or the person's spouse or civil partner is entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension under [F176this Section of] the Scheme and a contributions equivalent payment has not been paid.

(6) A person—

(a)who is entitled to a repayment of contributions under this regulation, and

(b)whose pensionable service did not cease because the person's employment was terminated at the person's request,

is entitled to interest on the amount of the repayment unless the person's pensionable service ceased because the person's employment was terminated by reason of misconduct or inefficiency.

(7) Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9), the interest is calculated on a compound basis at the rate of 2.5% per year, with yearly rests, for the period starting on 1st April after the contributions were paid and ending with the day the member leaves pensionable service.

(8) Paragraph (7) does not apply if paragraph (1)(b) applies and the person is entitled to a greater amount of interest under Chapter V of Part IV of the 1993 Act.

(9) So far as the contributions were paid under another scheme and were included in a transfer payment to [F177this Section of] the Scheme—

(a)interest for the period before the transfer payment was made is calculated in accordance with the Scheme making the transfer payment (subject to any provision made in any statutory provision applicable to the transfer), and

(b)paragraph (7) does not apply as respects that period.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

CHAPTER 4N.I.MEMBERS' RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Entitlement to pensionsN.I.

Normal retirement pensionsN.I.

45.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), regulation 57 (exceptions to requirement that HSC employment must have ceased) and the following provisions of this Part, the general rule is that a member is entitled to a pension payable for life in respect of any period of pensionable service (“the relevant service”) if the member—

(a)has reached the age of 65, and

(b)either—

(i)has ceased to be employed in HSC employment and has claimed payment of the pension, or

(ii)will reach the age of 75 on the next day.

(2) A person to whom paragraph (1) applies is not entitled to a pension under this regulation unless—

(a)the member is entitled to count at least 2 years of qualifying service in respect of the relevant service, or

(b)a transfer value payment has been accepted by the Scheme during the relevant service under Chapter 6 (transfers), otherwise than from an occupational pension scheme,

(c)the member is entitled to a pension under this regulation in respect of any previous period of pensionable service, or

(d)the member has reached the age of 65.

(3) A pension to which a member is entitled under this regulation becomes payable immediately the member becomes entitled to it.

(4) The amount of the annual pension payable under this regulation (disregarding any additional pension) is given by the formula—

where—

RP is the member's reckonable pay, and

LRS is the length of the member's relevant service, expressed in days.

(5) A claim referred to in paragraph (1)(b)(i) and made in accordance with regulation 125, takes effect from the date the claim is received by the Department.

(6) This regulation does not apply to pensions derived from pension credit rights.

[F178(7) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Pension credit membersN.I.

46.—(1) The general rule is that a pension credit member is entitled to a pension for life derived from the member's pension credit rights if the member has reached 65 and has claimed payment of the pension.

(2) The pension becomes payable—

(a)when the pension credit member reaches 65, or

(b)if it is later, when the pension sharing order under which the member is entitled to the pension credit takes effect.

[F179This is subject to paragraphs (5) and (8)]

(3) The pension must be of such an amount that its value is equal to the member's pension credit, as calculated in accordance with regulations made under paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 5 to the 1999 Order.

(4) A claim under paragraph (1) must be made by notice in writing in such form as the Department requires and takes effect from the date specified in the claim as the date on which the pension is to become payable.

[F180(5) A pension credit member who has not reached the age of 65 is entitled to immediate payment of a reduced pension payable for life if the pension credit member has—

(a)reached the age of 55; and

(b)claimed the payment of the pension.

(6) The amount of the annual pension under paragraph (5)—

(a)is first calculated as mentioned in paragraph (3); and

(b)then that amount is reduced by such amount as the Department determines, after consulting the Scheme actuary, to be appropriate by reason of the payment of the pension before the member reaches 65.

(7) A claim under paragraph (5) must be made by notice in writing in such form as the Department requires and takes effect from the date specified in the claim as the date on which the pension is to become payable.

(8) A pension credit member who has not reached the age of 65 is entitled to immediate payment of a pension payable for life if, in the opinion of the Department, the pension credit member—

(a)meets the ill-health condition specified in paragraph 1 of Schedule 28 to the Finance Act 2004;

(b)had previously been engaged in regular employment but is now permanently incapable of engaging in such employment due to mental or physical infirmity; and

(c)has claimed the pension.

(9) The amount of the pension under paragraph (8) is calculated as specified in paragraph (3).

(10) For the purpose of paragraph (8), the Department may require whatever medical evidence that it considers necessary.]

Textual Amendments

Late payment of pension with actuarial increaseN.I.

47.—(1) This regulation applies if a member becomes entitled to immediate payment of pension under regulation 45 after reaching the age of 65.

(2) So much of the amount of the pension to which the member would otherwise be entitled under that regulation (before any commutation under regulation 58) as is attributable—

(a)to the member's pensionable service before that age, and

(b)to any contributions paid under regulation 34, 36 or 37 before that age,

is increased.

(3) The amount of the increase must be calculated in accordance with guidance and tables provided by the Scheme actuary to the Department for the purposes of this regulation.

(4) In preparing that guidance and those tables the Scheme actuary must use such factors as the Scheme actuary considers appropriate, having regard, in particular, to the period after reaching the age of 65 before the member becomes entitled to immediate payment of the pension and the life expectancy of the member.

[F181(5) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136U.]

Textual Amendments

Early payment of pensions with actuarial reductionN.I.

48.—(1) A member who has not reached the age of 65 is entitled to immediate payment of a reduced pension payable for life if the member—

(a)has reached the age of 55,

(b)meets the condition in regulation 45(2)(a) or (b),

(c)has ceased to be employed in HSC employment, and

(d)has claimed payment of the pension.

(2) The amount of the annual pension under this regulation—

(a)is first calculated as mentioned in regulation 45(4) (and, if additional pension is payable, in accordance with regulation 40(2) or 42(2)), and

(b)then that amount is reduced by such amount as the Department determines, after consulting the Scheme actuary, to be appropriate by reason of the payment of the pension before the member reaches 65.

(3) A claim under paragraph (1) must be made by notice in writing in such form as the Department requires and takes effect—

(a)in the case of a deferred member, from the date specified in the claim as the date on which the pension is to become payable,

(b)in the case of an active member [F182or a non-contributing member] , from the day immediately following the day on which the member ceased to be employed in HSC employment.

(4) A member shall not be entitled to a pension under this regulation if the Department determines, having taken advice from the Scheme actuary, that the pension, as reduced under paragraph (1), would be insufficient to meet its liability to provide a guaranteed minimum pension.

[F183(5) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Partial retirement (members aged at least 55)N.I.

49.—(1) An active member [F184or a non-contributing member] may exercise an option under this regulation if—

(a)the member has reached the age of 55 and continues to be employed in the employment in which the member is an active member or where the member has more than one such employment, in at least one of those employments,

(b)the member would be entitled to a pension for life, by virtue of regulation 45 (1)(b)(i) and not regulation 45 (1)(b)(ii), if the member had—

(i)reached the age of 65,

(ii)ceased to be so employed, and

(iii)claimed payment of the pension,

(c)the terms on which the member holds the employment or employments referred to in sub-paragraph (a) change, and

(d)as a result the annual rate of the member's pensionable pay is reduced to 90% or less of the amount of the member's pensionable pay during the period of 12 months ending with the option day.

(2) If the member was not an active member during the whole of the period of 12 months mentioned in paragraph (1)(d), that paragraph applies as if the member's pensionable pay during that period were—

where—

PP is the member's pensionable pay for the part of that period during which the member was an active member, and

N is the number of days in that period on which the member was an active member.

(3) The option may only be exercised by notice in writing in such form as the Department requires and must be accompanied by a statement in writing by the employing authority, or employing authorities, that the conditions in paragraph (1)(c) and (d) are met.

(4) The option must specify—

(a)the percentage of the member's pension (excluding any additional pension) in respect of which the member claims immediate payment (“the specified percentage”), and

(b)whether the member claims immediate payment of additional pension (if any).

(5) A member who duly exercises the option under this regulation is entitled—

(a)in the case of a member who has reached the age of 65, to immediate payment of the specified percentage of the pension to which the member would be entitled under regulation 45 if the member had ceased to be employed in one or more employments on the option day (disregarding any additional pension, but subject to any increase under regulation 47),

(b)in the case of a member who has not reached the age of 65, to immediate payment of the specified percentage of the pension to which the member would be entitled under regulation 48 if the member had ceased to be employed in one or more employments on the option day (disregarding any additional pension), and

(c)if the option specifies that the member claims immediate payment of additional pension, the additional pension—

(i)in a case within sub-paragraph (a), to an increase of the same percentage as would be made in that pension under regulation 47 if the member had ceased to be employed on the option day, and

(ii)in a case within sub-paragraph (b), to a reduction of the same amount as would have been made in that pension under regulation 48 if the member had so ceased.

(6) The specified percentage must be such that—

(a)the pension to which the member becomes entitled as a result of the option (before the exercise of the option under regulation 58 and disregarding any additional pension)—

(i)is not less than the amount of the pension payable by reference to 20% of the member's pensionable service at the end of the option day (disregarding any additional pension), and

(ii)taken together with any such increase to which the member becomes entitled as a result of the option (before any such commutation), is not less than 0.05% of the member's lifetime allowance on the option day,

(b)the percentage of the pension (other than additional pension) in respect of which the member does not require immediate payment is not less than the amount of the pension payable by reference to 20% of the member's pensionable service at the end of the option day (disregarding any additional pension), and

(c)that pensionable service referred to in sub-paragraph (b) is at least 1 year, within the meaning of regulation 8 in the case of a part-time member, at the end of that date.

(7) The option under this regulation may only be exercised on no more than two occasions, and the Department shall take advice from the Scheme actuary regarding—

(a)any benefits to be paid after the exercise of the first option (but before the exercise of the second option),

(b)any benefits to be paid after the exercise of any second option, and

(c)the final payment.

(8) In this regulation “the option day” means the day before the reduction in pensionable pay by virtue of which the option is exercisable takes effect.

(9) For the purposes of this Part, a member who has exercised the option under this regulation—

(a)is a pensioner member as respects the pension to which the member is immediately entitled as a result of exercising the option and the specified percentage of the pensionable service that pension represents, as respects which the member is an active member on the option day,

(b)if the member continues in pensionable service after the option day, is an active member [F184or a non-contributing member]as respects—

(i)the pensionable service after that day in which the member continues, and

(ii)so much of the pensionable service as respects which the member is an active member [F184or a non-contributing member] on the option day as does not fall within sub-paragraph (a) (“the unspecified service”), and

(c)if the member does not continue in pensionable service after the option day, is a deferred member as respects the unspecified service.

[F185(10) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Increase in pensionable pay following exercise of option under regulation 49N.I.

50.—(1) This regulation applies if, in a case where a member has exercised the option under regulation 49—

(a)during the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the option day the terms on which the member holds the employment or employments referred to in regulation 49 (1) (a) change again, and

(b)as a result the member's pensionable pay in that employment or those employments is increased to more than 90% of the member's pensionable pay during the period of 12 months ending with the option day, or

(c)following an increase referred to in sub-paragraph (b), the member's pensionable pay in that employment or those employments is reduced to [F18690 per cent or less] per cent of the member's pensionable pay during the period of 12 months ending with the option day.

(2) In the circumstances referred to in—

(a)[F187paragraph (1)(b), the amount of the member's pension mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of regulation 49(5) shall be abated to zero from the first pension day immediately following the day on which the level of the member's pensionable pay increased,]

(b)paragraph (1)(c), subject to any adjustments in accordance with sub-paragraph (c), the member shall again be entitled to receive payment of the full amount of the pension mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of that regulation as from the first pension day immediately following the day on which the level of the member's engagement reduced,

(c)where sub-paragraph (b) applies, before restoring the payment of a pension the Department shall have regard to the advice of the Scheme actuary as to whether the amount of the pension should be adjusted in view of the length of time during which it was abated to zero in accordance with sub-paragraph (a).

(3) If the member was not an active member [F188or a non-contributing member] during the whole of the period of 12 months mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), that paragraph applies as if the member's pensionable pay during that period were—

where—

PP is the member's pensionable pay for the part of that period during which the member was an active member [F188or a non-contributing member] , and

N is the number of days in that period on which the member was an active member [F188or a non-contributing member] .

(4) If, in the opinion of the Department, had the terms and conditions of the member's employment remained the same after the option day (apart from pensionable pay), the annual rate of pensionable pay for the employment as at the time of the change mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) would have exceeded the annual rate referred to in paragraph (1)(b)—

(a)paragraph (2)(a) does not apply, and

(b)this regulation applies as if paragraph (1)(b) referred to that annual rate instead of the actual annual rate.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, if during the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the option day the member enters a further employment or employments in which the member is an active member [F189or a non-contributing member] of [F190this Section of] the Scheme—

(a)that event is treated as if the terms on which the member holds the employment in respect of which the option was exercised (“the option employment”) had changed again, and

(b)the member's pensionable pay in the further employment is treated as an increase in the member's pay in the option employment.

(6) In this regulation “the option day” has the same meaning as in paragraph (8) of regulation 49.

Textual Amendments

Application of regulations 49 and 50 where concurrent part-time employments heldN.I.

51.—(1) This regulation provides for the application of regulations 49 and 50 if a person is an active member [F191or a non-contributing member] in two or more part-time employments held concurrently on the option day.

(2) Those regulations apply in relation to each of the employments as if it were the only employment held by the member on that day, but subject to the following modifications.

(3) In regulation 49(1) for sub-paragraph (d) substitute—

“(d)as a result of that change the sum of the annual rate of the member's pensionable pay in that employment and every other employment held by the member on the option day is reduced to 90% or less of the sum of—

(i)the member's pensionable pay in the employment during the period of 12 months ending with the option day, and

(ii)the member's pensionable pay during that period in every other employment held by the member on the option day.”

(4) In regulation 49(2)—

(a)after the words “paragraph (1)(d)” insert “ in the employment or any other employment referred to in that paragraph ”, and

(b)after the words “that period” insert the words “ in that employment ”.

(5) In regulation 50(1) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b)as a result the annual rate of the member's pensionable pay in that employment is increased to more than 90% of the sum of—

(i)the member's pensionable pay in the employment during the period of 12 months ending with the option day, and

(ii)the member's pensionable pay during that period in every other employment held by the member on the option day.”

(6) In regulation 50(3)—

(a)after the words “paragraph (1)(b)” insert “ in the employment or any other employment referred to in that paragraph ”, and

(b)after the words “that period” insert the words “ in that employment ”.

(7) For regulation 50(4) substitute—

“(4) If, in the opinion of the Department, had the terms and conditions of the member's employment or any other such employment remained the same after the option day (apart from pensionable pay), the annual rate of pensionable pay for the employment as at the time of the change mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) would have exceeded the annual rate referred to in paragraph (1)(b)for that employment—

(a)paragraph (2)(a) does not apply, and

(b)this regulation applies as if paragraph (1)(b) referred to that annual rate instead of the actual annual rate.”.

(8) Where—

(a)a member's pension is abated in accordance with regulation 50(2)(a), in the circumstances described in regulation 50(1)(b), and

(b)the member's pensionable pay does not reduce in the manner described in regulation 50(1)(c),

the pension will (in any event) be payable by the Department when the member retires, or partially retires again, from pensionable employment or attains the age of 75 and in doing so the Department shall—

(i)have regard to any pensions already paid, including any lump sum paid as a result of the member exercising an option under regulation 58,

(ii)take advice of the Scheme actuary.

Textual Amendments

Early retirement on ill-health (active members [F192and non-contributing members] )N.I.

52.—(1) A pension payable under this regulation shall be known as an ill-health pension and may be paid at two different tiers known as a tier 1 ill-health pension and a tier 2 ill-health pension.

(2) An active member [F193or a non-contributing member] who has not reached the age of 65 and who has ceased to be employed in HSC employment is entitled to immediate payment of a tier 1 ill-health pension that is payable for life if—

(a)in the opinion of the Department the member suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which the member is permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the member's employment efficiently,

(b)the member's employment is terminated because of that physical or mental infirmity,

(c)the member has at least 2 years of qualifying service, and

(d)the member has claimed the pension.

(3) An active member who has not reached the age of 65 is entitled to immediate payment of a tier 2 ill-health pension if—

(a)in addition to meeting the condition in paragraph (2) (a), in the opinion of the Department the member suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which the member is permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration,

(b)the member's employment is terminated because of that physical or mental infirmity,

(c)the member has at least 2 years of qualifying service, and

(d)the member has claimed the pension.

(4) The annual amount of a tier 1 ill-health pension (disregarding any additional pension) is calculated as specified in regulation 45(4).

(5) The annual amount of a tier 2 ill-health pension (disregarding any additional pension) is calculated as specified in regulation 45(4), but on the assumption that the member's pensionable service—

[F194(a)is increased by the enhancement period where the member—

(i)has not had a break in pensionable service of 12 months or more; or

(ii)has returned to pensionable employment 12 months or more after having a break in such service and it would be more favourable to the member to treat the member’s pensionable service before and after the break, and all such other breaks (if any), as continuous;]

[F195(b)is not increased by the enhancement period in the circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (a) [F196(ii)] if—

(i)the member’s pensionable service before and after the break is treated separately under regulation 110, or

(ii)the member’s pensionable service in respect of an earlier service credit is treated separately under regulation 136G.]

(6) In this regulation, subject to paragraph (7), “the enhancement period” means two-thirds of the member's assumed pensionable service.

(7) If the member's pensionable service includes any period which, apart from this paragraph would be calculated in accordance with regulation 8 (meaning of “pensionable service”: part-time service), the enhancement period that would apply apart from this paragraph is reduced by multiplying it by the fraction—

where—

TPSa is the member's total pensionable service, applying that regulation in respect of any period in part-time employment, and

TPSn is the member's total pensionable service if that regulation were not applied.

(8) In this regulation “the member's assumed service” means, subject to paragraph (9), the further pensionable service that the member could have counted if the member had continued in service until reaching the age of 65.

(9) To the extent that any increase under paragraph (5) would cause a member's pensionable service to exceed the limit of 45 years provided for in regulation 7 (3), the amount of any excess will be reduced accordingly.

(10) This regulation is subject to—

(a)regulation 112 (effect of re-employment on tier 2 ill-health pensions), and

(b)regulation 113 (re-employed tier 1 ill-health pensioners).

(11) A member does not qualify for a pension under this regulation if the member's HSC employment has been terminated by the member—

(a)being dismissed from such employment (unless the Department is satisfied that the member was dismissed because of the member's infirmity); or

(b)retiring or resigning from such employment at a time when the member was the subject of disciplinary proceedings or had been notified that such proceedings were being contemplated; or

(c)otherwise retiring or resigning from such employment unless at the time of doing so the member's employing authority has notified the Department in writing that the member's physical or mental infirmity is the reason for the termination of that employment and the Department is satisfied that is the case.

(12) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the member's employment efficiently under paragraph (2)(a), the Department shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (14) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the member's personal preference for or against engaging in that employment.

(13) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration under paragraph (3)(a), the Department shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (15) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the factors in paragraph (16).

(14) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (12) 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 his incapacity, irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone; and

(d)any other matter which the Department considers appropriate.

(15) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (13) 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 his incapacity (irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone) having due 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 his incapacity (irrespective of whether such training is undergone) having due 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 Department considers appropriate.

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

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

(b)the geographical location of the member.

(17) 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 Department 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)

discharging the duties of the member's employment efficiently under paragraph (2)(a), or

(ii)

engaging in regular employment of like duration under paragraph (3)(a),

before the member reaches age 65, or

(c)

that, through no fault on the part of the member, it is not possible for the member to receive before the member reaches age 65;

[F197“permanently” means—

(a)

the period until age 65; and

(b)

in the case of a 2008 Section Optant who, before joining this Section of the Scheme, was assessed by a medical adviser as being—

(i)

permanently incapable of efficiently discharging their duties for the purposes of regulation 13A(2)(b)(i) of the 1995 Regulations (Ill health pension on early retirement), that Optant shall be deemed to be permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the Optant’s employment efficiently for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a),

(ii)

permanently incapable of regular employment of like duration for the purposes of regulation 13A(2)(b)(ii) of the 1995 Regulations, that Optant shall be deemed to be permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a);]

“regular employment of like duration” means—

(a)

in the case of a non-GP provider, such employment as the Department considers would involve a similar level of engagement to the member's current pensionable service as a non-GP provider; and

(b)

in all other cases, where prior to retiring from employment that is 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.

[F198(18) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulations 136L and 136N to 136R.]

[F199(19) In the case of a Waiting Period Joiner, this regulation is subject to regulation 136ZA.]

Textual Amendments

Re-assessment of entitlement to an ill-health pension determined under regulation 52N.I.

53.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)in the opinion of the Department a member meets the condition in regulation 52(2)(a), and

(b)at the time the member is awarded a pension under that regulation the Department gives the member notice in writing that the member's case may be considered once within a period of three years commencing with the date of that award to determine whether the member meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a) at the date of such a consideration.

[F200(2) A member to whom a notice under paragraph (1)(b) has been given may apply to the Department for a review of whether the member subsequently meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a) if—

(a)the member makes the application in writing—

(i)within three years of the date of issue of the notice, or

(ii)in the case of a member who engages in further HSC employment during the period of three years referred to in paragraph (1)(b), before the first anniversary of the day on which that employment commences or, if sooner, before the end of that period;

(b)the application for a review is accompanied by further written medical evidence—

(i)relating to whether the condition in regulation 52(3)(a) is satisfied at the date of the Department’s review, and

(ii)that evidence relates to the same physical or mental impairment as a result of which the member met the condition in regulation 52(2)(a);

(c)no previous application for a review has been made under this paragraph; and

(d)the member has not become entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of any later service under regulation 113.]

(3) If, after considering the further medical evidence provided by the member, the Department determines that the member meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a), then as from the date on which that determination is made, the member—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension; and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 , which shall be calculated as if paragraph (8) of that regulation included the words “from the date of the Department's determination under regulation 53” after “continued in service”.

[F201(4) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulations 136P and 136Q.]

Textual Amendments

Early retirement on ill-health (deferred members)N.I.

54.—(1) A deferred member who has not reached the age of 65 is entitled to immediate payment of a pension that is payable for life if—

(a)in the opinion of the Department the member suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which the member is [F202permanently] incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration, and

(b)the member has claimed the pension.

(2) A deferred member who is in HSC employment and has not reached the age of 65 is entitled to immediate payment of a pension that is payable for life if—

(a)in the opinion of the Department the member—

(i)does not fall within paragraph (1)(a), but

(ii)suffers from physical or mental [F203infirmity] as a result of which the member is permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the member's employment efficiently, and

(b)the member has left that employment and claimed the pension.

(3) The amount of the annual pension payable under this regulation (disregarding any additional pension) is calculated as specified in regulation 45(4).

(4) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the member's employment efficiently under paragraph (2)(a)(ii), the Department shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (6) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the member's personal preference for or against engaging in that employment.

(5) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration under paragraph (1)(a), the Department shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (7) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the factors in paragraph (8).

(6) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (4) 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 his incapacity, irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone; and

(d)any other matter which the Department considers appropriate.

(7) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (5) 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 his incapacity (irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone) having due 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 his incapacity (irrespective of whether such training is undergone) having due regard to the member's—

(i)mental capacity;

(ii)physical capacity;

(iii)previous training; and

(iv)previous practical, professional and vocational experience;

(e)any other matter which the Department considers appropriate.

(8) The factors to be disregarded for paragraph (5) are—

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

(b)the geographical location of the member.

(9) 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 Department 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)

discharging the duties of the member's employment efficiently under paragraph (2)(a)(ii), or

(ii)

engaging in regular employment of like duration under paragraph (1)(a),

before the member reaches age 65, or

(c)

that, through no fault on the part of the member, it is not possible for the member to receive before the member reaches age 65;

“permanently” means the period until age 65; and

“regular employment of like duration” means—

(a)

in the case of a member who was a non-GP provider, such employment as the Department 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.

[F204(10) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Early retirement on termination of employment by employing authorityN.I.

55.—(1) A member, other than a non-GP provider who has reached the age of 55, but not 65, is entitled to a pension payable for life if—

(a)the employment in which the member is an active member [F205or a non-contributing member] is terminated by the member's employing authority and the member has ceased to be employed in HSC employment,

(b)the member has 2 years of qualifying service,

[F206(c)the member’s employing authority certifies that the member—

(i)has at least 2 years’ continuous employment determined in accordance with any terms and conditions applying to the employment,

(ii)is entitled to claim a pension under this regulation if the member’s employment is terminated by reason of redundancy as an alternative to receiving (in whole or in part) the lump sum payment otherwise payable to the member in accordance with those terms and conditions, and

(iii)has not unreasonably refused to seek suitable alternative employment or accept an offer of such employment.]

(d)the Department certifies that the member's employment is terminated—

(i)by reason of redundancy, or

(ii)in the interests of the efficiency of the service in which the member is employed, and

(e)the member has claimed payment of the pension.

(2) A certificate under paragraph (1)(d)(ii) may only be given with the agreement of the employing authority.

(3) A pension to which a member is entitled under this regulation becomes payable immediately the member becomes entitled to it [F207: this is subject to paragraph (3A)] .

[F208(3A) A member who satisfies the conditions of this regulation is not entitled to a pension under this regulation if the Department, after consultation with the scheme actuary, decides that the amount of the pension would be less than the amount of the guaranteed minimum pension to which the member is entitled.]

(4) Subject to paragraph (6), the amount of the annual pension payable under this regulation (disregarding any additional pension) is given by the formula—

where—

RP is the member's reckonable pay, and

LPS is the length of the member's pensionable service, expressed in days.

(5) A claim under paragraph (1)(e)—

(a)must be made in writing to the Department within 6 months of the employment terminating, and

(b)must contain such information as the Department may from time to time require.

(6) If the member—

(a)has received a related payment in respect of the cessation of the employment,

(b)the terms and conditions relating to the employment require that payment to be reduced to take account of the additional contributions the employing authority must make to the Department in accordance with regulation 32, and

(c)that payment has not been so reduced,

the amount of that payment (or, if there is more than one such payment, the aggregate amount of those payments) is deducted from the amount of the pension.

(7) In paragraph (6) “related payment” means—

(a)a redundancy payment under the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 M22, or

(b)a corresponding payment under the arrangements of the Whitley Councils for the Health Services.

[F209(8) This regulation does not apply to—

(a)practice staff;

(b)a member who is providing piloted services;

(c)a member to whom regulation 155A(1)(a) or (b) applies; or

(d)a member who is a dental pilot scheme employee and who is employed by a provider of piloted services other than a HSC Trust.]

[F210(9) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

Option to have periods of service treated separately where pay is reducedN.I.

56.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)the reckonable pay of an active member who has at least 2 years of qualifying service is reduced, and

(b)the reduction occurs in circumstances specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a)the member is transferred from one employment to another,

(b)the member leaves one employment and takes up another in circumstances approved by the Department for the purposes of this regulation, or

(c)the member's duties change while the member continues in the same employment, otherwise than at the member's request or as a result of something done by the member.

(3) The member may opt to be treated for the purposes of [F211this Section of] the Scheme in accordance with this regulation as follows—

(a)the member is treated as a deferred member of [F211this Section of] the Scheme as respects the earlier service, and

(b)if the member is an active member of [F211this Section of] the Scheme in the later service, for the purposes of this Chapter the member is treated as respects the later service as if the member became an active member for the first time on the day that service began.

(4) But nothing in paragraph (3) prevents the member's earlier service and later service counting as a single continuous period for the purposes of regulation 10 (qualifying service).

(5) If the member's pensionable service is to be increased under regulation 52(5)—

(a)the member's pensionable service will count as a continuous period for the purposes of calculating to what extent the pensionable service on which the pension is based should be increased, and

(b)the increase will apply only in respect of the pension attributable to the later service.

(6) If a member has duly exercised the option under this regulation, the member is treated as mentioned in paragraph (3) (but subject to paragraphs (4) and (5)) unless paragraph (7) applies.

(7) This paragraph applies if—

(a)at the time that the member first becomes entitled to a pension under [F212this Section of] the Scheme in respect of the earlier service or the later service, or

(b)if it is earlier, at the time of the member's death,

in the opinion of the Department the benefits payable to or in respect of the member would be more valuable if the option and any other options exercised by the member under this regulation were disregarded.

(8) The option under this regulation may only be exercised by giving notice in writing to the Department in such form as the Department requires before the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the first day of the later service.

(9) In this regulation—

“the earlier service” means—

(a)

in the case of a change of circumstances within paragraph (2)(a) or (b), the service in the employment that the member has left, and

(b)

in the case of a change of circumstances within paragraph (2)(c), the service in the employment before the change in the member's duties took effect, and

“the later service” means—

(a)

in the case of a change of circumstances within paragraph (2)(a) or (b), the service in the employment that the member has begun, and

(b)

in the case of a change of circumstances within paragraph (2)(c), the service in the employment after the change in the member's duties took effect.

Textual Amendments

Exceptions to requirement that HSC employment must have ceasedN.I.

57.—(1) A member is not prevented from becoming entitled to a pension under regulation 45 in respect of relevant service because of continuing in HSC employment if paragraph (2) [F213or (2A)] applies.

(2) This paragraph applies if—

(a)the member is an active member [F214or a non-contributing member] in the HSC employment and that employment is employment into which the member has been transferred as a result of a transfer of an undertaking to the employing authority, and

(b)the member is a deferred member in respect of pensionable service that ceased before the member commenced the employment referred to in sub-paragraph (a).

[F215(2A) This paragraph applies if the member is in employment with an employing authority in respect of which the member is eligible to join the 2015 Scheme and that member’s service in this Section does not qualify as, or has ceased to be, pensionable service to which paragraphs 1(2)(i) and (ii) or paragraphs 2(i) and (ii) of Schedule 7 (final salary link) to the 2014 Act applies.]

[F216(3) In paragraph (1), “relevant service” means—

(a)the pensionable service referred to in paragraph (2)(b) in respect of which the member is a deferred member; or

(b)the service in this Section referred to in paragraph (2A).]

(4) A member is not prevented from becoming entitled to a pension under regulation 55 in respect of pensionable service in an employment (“the old employment”) because of continuing in HSC employment if paragraph (5) applies.

(5) This paragraph applies if—

(a)before the termination of the old employment the member held two or more HSC employments concurrently, and

(b)the member elected to take benefits under regulation 55 only in respect of the old employment and to continue to accrue rights to benefits in respect of any continuing employments in which the member is an active member.

(6) For the effect of a pension becoming payable as a result of paragraph (2) [F213or (2A)] applying, see—

(a)Chapter 7 (re-employment and rejoining [F217this Section of] the Scheme),

(b)Chapter 8 (abatement).

Textual Amendments

Options to exchange pension for lump sumN.I.

General option to exchange part of pension for lump sumN.I.

58.—[F218(1) A member (other than a pension credit member whose rights under [F219this Section of] the Scheme are attributable to a disqualifying pension credit for the purpose of paragraph 2 of Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004) may opt to exchange part of a pension to which the member would otherwise be entitled for a lump sum.]

(2) If a member so opts, for every £1 by which the member's annual amount of a pension is reduced, the member is to be paid a lump sum of £12.

(3) An option under paragraph (1) must relate to an annual amount of pension that is a whole number of pounds (and accordingly the lump sum will be exactly divisible by 12).

(4) In paragraphs (2) and (3) “annual amount”, in relation to a pension, means the amount of the annual pension to which the member would be entitled under this Chapter apart from the option, together with any increases payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, calculated as at the time payment would first be due.

(5) A member may not exchange pension for lump sum under this regulation to the extent that it would result in a scheme chargeable payment for the purposes of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004 (see, in particular, section 241 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 29 to, that Act).

(6) If the member has a guaranteed minimum under section 10 of the 1993 Act in relation to the whole or part of a pension, paragraph (1) only applies to so much of the pension as exceeds that guaranteed minimum, multiplied by such factor as is indicated for a person of the member's description in tables provided by the Scheme actuary.

(7) The option under this regulation may only be exercised by giving notice in writing to the Department in such form as it requires—

(a)at the time of claiming the pension, or

(b)before such later time as the Department specifies in writing.

[F220This is subject to paragraphs (8) and (9).]

[F221(8) If the pension is an ill-health pension under regulation 52, the option under this regulation may only be exercised by giving notice in writing to the Department in such form as it requires—

(a)where the member is awarded—

(i)a tier 1 pension under paragraph (2) of that regulation, at the time of claiming that tier 1 pension,

(ii)a tier 2 pension under paragraph (3) of that regulation, at the time of claiming that tier 2 pension; or

(b)before such later time as the Department specifies in writing.

(9) If the pension is a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 53, in substitution for a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 52, the option under this regulation may only be exercised—

(a)in relation to the difference between the tier 1 pension that ceases to be payable in accordance with paragraph (3) of regulation 53 and the tier 2 pension to which the member becomes entitled under that paragraph; and

(b)by giving notice in writing to the Department in such form as it requires—

(i)at the time of award of the tier 2 pension under that paragraph, or

(ii)before such later time as the Department specifies in writing.]

[F222(10) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to paragraph (4) of regulation 136H and regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Option for members in serious ill-health to exchange whole pension for lump sumN.I.

59.—(1) An active member [F223, non-contributing member] , a deferred member or a pension credit member may opt to exchange a relevant pension for a lump sum if the Department is satisfied that the conditions for the lump sum to be a serious ill-health lump sum for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004 will be met (see paragraph 4 of Schedule 29 to that Act).

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a “relevant pension” is a pension payable to that member under—

(a)regulation 45 (normal retirement pensions),

(b)regulation 46 (pension credit members' pensions),

(c)regulation 52 (early payment of pensions: ill-health), or

(d)regulation 54 (early retirement on ill-health (deferred members)).

(3) The option may only be exercised—

(a)in the case of a pension payable under regulation 45 or 46, before or at the time when the pension becomes payable,

(b)in the case of a pension payable under regulation 52 or 54, before the pension becomes payable to the member.

(4) An active member [F224or a non-contributing member] aged 65 or over who exercises the option is to be paid, as soon as is reasonably practicable F225..., an amount equal to the sum of—

(a)the maximum lump sum to which the member could have become entitled on exercising the option under regulation 58 if at the appropriate time the member had become entitled to a pension under regulation 45, and

(b)the total annual amount of the pension to which the member would have been entitled under regulation 45 after exercising that option, multiplied by 5.

[F226(5) A pension credit member who exercises the option is to be paid, as soon as reasonably practicable F225..., an amount equal to the sum of—

(a)the maximum lump sum (if any) to which the pension credit member could have become entitled on exercising the option under regulation 58 at the appropriate time; and

(b)the total annual amount of the pension to which the pension credit member is entitled under regulation 46 after exercising that option, multiplied by 5.]

(6) An active member [F227or a non-contributing member] entitled to a pension under regulation 52 who exercises the option is to be paid, as soon as is reasonably practicable, an amount equal to the sum of—

(a)the maximum lump sum to which the member could have become entitled on exercising the option under regulation 58 at the appropriate time, and

(b)the total annual amount of the pension to which the member is entitled under regulation 52 after exercising that option, multiplied by 5.

(7) A deferred member entitled to a pension under regulation 54 who exercises the option is to be paid, as soon as is reasonably practicable, an amount equal to the sum of—

(a)the maximum lump sum to which the member could have become entitled on exercising the option under regulation 58 at the appropriate time, and

(b)the total annual amount of the pension to which the member is entitled under regulation 54 after exercising that option, multiplied by 5.

(8) In this regulation “the appropriate time” means—

(a)for the purposes of paragraphs (4) and (5) the time when the option under this regulation is exercised, and

(b)for the purposes of paragraphs (6) and (7) the time payment of the pension under regulation 52 or, as the case may be, regulation 54 would otherwise first be due.

(9) In this regulation references to the “annual amount” of a pension are to the amount of the annual pension to which the member would be entitled, together with any increases payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, calculated as at the appropriate time.

(10) The option under this regulation may only be exercised by notice in writing to the Department in such form as the Department requires.

Textual Amendments

Pension debit members and pension credit membersN.I.

[F228Reduction in pension debit member’s benefitsN.I.

(1) The benefits to which a pension debit member is entitled under this Chapter are subject to the reduction to be made under Article 28 of the 1999 Order.

(2) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to paragraph (2) of regulation 136H.]

Textual Amendments

Pension credit member's rightsN.I.

F22961.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

AllocationN.I.

Election to allocate pensionN.I.

62.—(1) A member may elect to allocate a part of the annual amount of the member's pension under [F230this Section of] the Scheme for the provision of a pension after the member's death for a single person who is the member's spouse or civil partner or another person who is the member's dependant within the meaning of paragraph 15 of Schedule 28 to the Finance Act 2004 if conditions A and B are met.

(2) Condition A is that the member has not become entitled to the payment of any pension under [F230this Section of] the Scheme other than a pension payable under regulation 49 (partial retirement: members aged at least 55).

(3) Condition B is that in the case of a member who is not making the election on claiming the pension, the member—

(a)has reached the age of 65 and has completed 45 years of pensionable service, or

(b)the member has reached the age of 70.

(4) Any pension provided as a result of such an election must be calculated in accordance with tables prepared by the Scheme actuary.

(5) The member may not elect to allocate more than one-third of the member's relevant annual pension.

(6) The member may not elect to allocate an amount that would result in—

(a)the allocated annual pension exceeding the member's unallocated relevant annual pension,

(b)the allocated pension exceeding such amount as the Department may determine for the purposes of this paragraph, after consultation with the Scheme actuary, having regard to any restrictions imposed under Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004, or

(c)the value of the allocated annual pension being such that a lump sum could be paid under regulation 128 (commutation of small pensions) by way of commutation of a pension of that amount if the person entitled to the pension was not entitled to any other benefits under [F231this Section of] the Scheme.

(7) The annual pension that is allocated must be an exact number of pounds.

(8) If a member—

(a)elects to allocate a part of the member's pension under paragraph (1) after reaching the age of 65 and whilst in pensionable service, and

(b)dies before the pension becomes payable,

for the purposes of paragraphs (5) to (7) the member is treated as entitled to the relevant pension to which the member would have been entitled if the member had become entitled to the pension immediately before death.

(9) References in this regulation to the member's relevant pension, in relation to any pension, are references to so much of the pension as would be payable if the member had exercised the option under regulation 58 so as to obtain the maximum lump sum possible.

Textual Amendments

Procedure for election under regulation 62N.I.

63.—(1) An election under regulation 62 in respect of a member's pension must be made—

(a)at the time when the member claims the pension or, if the member does not become entitled to the pension at that time, when the member does become so entitled, or

(b)if the member is in pensionable service after reaching the age of 65, at any time after reaching that age and before reaching the age of 75.

(2) The election must be made by giving notice in writing to the Department.

(3) The notice must be in such form and contain such information as the Department requires.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), an election under regulation 62 takes effect once it has been accepted by the Department.

(5) The election may not be withdrawn, amended or revoked after it has taken effect.

(6) The election does not take effect if—

(a)the member or the person in whose favour the election was made (“the beneficiary”) dies on or before the day on which the Department accepts it, or

(b)the Department is not satisfied that at the time when the election is made the member is in good health.

(7) The election is treated as not having taken effect if the beneficiary dies before the member is notified in writing that the Department has accepted the election.

Effect of allocationN.I.

64.—(1) If an election under regulation 62 for the allocation of a member's pension to another person (“the beneficiary”) has taken effect—

(a)the member's pension is reduced accordingly (even if the beneficiary predeceases the member), and

(b)if the beneficiary survives the member, on the member's death the beneficiary becomes entitled to the payment of a pension for life of such amount as is determined in accordance with regulation 62.

(2) An allocation is disregarded for the purposes of this regulation if it would result in a pension being paid under this regulation to a beneficiary who is neither—

(a)the member's spouse or civil partner on the date when the member becomes entitled to the pension or dies, nor

(b)a dependant of the member for the purposes of paragraph 15(2) or (3) of Schedule 28 to the Finance Act 2004 when the member dies.

(3) References in this Part to pensions under this Chapter do not include pensions under this regulation except where the context otherwise requires.

(4) Any such pension is payable in addition to any pension payable to the beneficiary in respect of the member's death under Chapter 5 (death benefits).

Dual capacity membershipN.I.

Dual capacity membershipN.I.

65.—(1) This paragraph applies if a member is—

(a)a member of [F232this Section of] the Scheme of two or more of the kinds specified in paragraph (2),

(b)a pensioner member in respect of two or more pensions, or

(c)a deferred member in respect of two or more pensions.

(2) The kinds of member are—

(a)an active member [F233or a non-contributing member] ,

(b)a deferred member,

(c)a pensioner member, and

(d)a pension credit member.

(3) If paragraph (1) applies, the general rule is that—

(a)benefits are payable to the member under this Chapter (or to any person to whom the member has opted to allocate pension under regulation 62) as if the member were two or more members of the kinds in question (so that two or more pensions or lump sums are payable in respect of the one member), and

(b)the amounts payable are determined accordingly.

(4) The rule in paragraph (3) is subject to any indication to the contrary and, in particular, does not affect the interpretation of—

(a)regulation 7(3) (45 year limit),

(b)regulation 49(9) in a case where a member is both an active member [F234or a non-contributing member] and a pensioner member by virtue of that regulation,

(c)regulation 56 (option to have periods of service treated separately where pay is reduced),

(d)regulation 111 (exception to general rule in regulation 110 about separate treatment of pay and service),

(e)regulation 112 (effect of re-employment on tier 2 ill-health pensions),

(f)regulation 113 (re-employed tier 1 ill-health pensioners),

(g)regulation 114 (deferred pension becoming payable during HSC re-employment as a result of a transfer of undertaking), or

(h)Chapter 8 (abatement).

(5) If a person who is a pension credit member is entitled to two or more pension credits—

(a)benefits are payable to the person under [F235this Section of] the Scheme (or to any person to whom the member has opted to allocate pension under regulation 62) as if the person were two or more persons, each being entitled to one of the pension credits (so that two or more pensions or lump sums are payable to the one pension credit member), and

(b)the amounts of those benefits are determined accordingly.

Textual Amendments

Contracting-out obligations (GMPs, etc.)N.I.

Guaranteed minimum pensions etcN.I.

66.—(1) If a member has a guaranteed minimum under section 10 of the 1993 Act in relation to benefits under [F236this Section of] the Scheme—

(a)nothing in this Part permits or requires anything that would cause requirements made by or under that Act in relation to such a member and such a member's rights under [F236this Section of] the Scheme not to be met in the case of the member,

(b)nothing in this Part prevents anything from being done which is necessary or expedient for the purposes of meeting such requirements in the case of the member, and

(c)the following provisions are without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph.

(2) If apart from this rule—

(a)no pension would be payable to the member under [F236this Section of] the Scheme, or

(b)the weekly rate of the pensions payable would be less than the guaranteed minimum,

a pension at a weekly rate equal to the guaranteed minimum is payable to the member for life from the date on which the member reaches State pension age or, as the case may be, pensions the aggregate weekly rate of which is equal to the guaranteed minimum are so payable.

(3) If, subject to paragraph (4)—

(a)on reaching State pension age the member is still in employment (whether or not it is scheme employment), and

(b)if it is not scheme employment, the member consents to a postponement of the member's entitlement under paragraph (2),

paragraph (2) does not apply until the member leaves employment.

(4) If the member continues in employment for a further 5 years after reaching State pension age and does not then leave employment, the member is entitled from the end of that period to so much of the member's pension under this Chapter as equals the member's guaranteed minimum (or, as the case may be, to so much of the member's pensions under this Chapter as together have a weekly rate equal to the member's guaranteed minimum), unless the member consents to a further postponement of the entitlement.

(5) If paragraph (3) or (4) applies, the amount of the guaranteed minimum to which the member is entitled under this rule is increased in accordance with section 11 of the 1993 Act.

(6) If—

(a)before State pension age the member becomes entitled to the immediate payment of a pension, and

(b)the member has a guaranteed minimum under section 10 of the 1993 Act in relation to the whole or part of the pension,

the weekly rate of the pension, so far as attributable to that service, must not be less than that guaranteed minimum, multiplied by such factor as is indicated in tables provided by the Scheme actuary for a person of the member's age and sex at the date on which the pension becomes payable.

(7) This paragraph applies if a person has ceased to be in employment that is contracted-out by reference to [F237this Section of] the Scheme, and either—

(a)all the person's rights to benefits under [F237this Section of] the Scheme, except the person's rights in respect of the person's guaranteed minimum or rights under section 5(2B) of the 1993 Act (“the person's contracting-out rights”), have been transferred under Chapter 6 (transfers), or

(b)the person has no rights to benefits under [F237this Section of] the Scheme apart from the person's contracting-out rights.

(8) If paragraph (7) applies—

(a)from the date on which the person reaches State pension age the person is entitled to a pension payable for life at a weekly rate equal to his guaranteed minimum, if any, and

(b)from the date on which the person reaches pension age the person is entitled to a pension in respect of his rights under section 5(2B) of the 1993 Act,

but a person falling within paragraph (7) is not to be regarded as a pensioner for the purposes of Chapter 5 (death benefits).

(9) Paragraphs (2) to (8) do not apply to—

(a)a pension that is forfeited—

(i)as a result of a conviction for treason, or

(ii)in a case where an offence within regulation 130(2)(b) (forfeiture of rights to benefit) is committed,

(b)a pension that is commuted under regulation 59 (option for members in serious ill-health to exchange whole pension for lump sum), or

(c)a pension that is commuted under regulation 128 (commutation of small pensions) where the conditions in regulation 60 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 M23 are met,

but if any other provision of [F238this Section of] the Scheme is inconsistent with this rule, this rule prevails.

(10) In this regulation—

(a)“scheme employment”, in relation to a member, means employment in the employment by virtue of which the member is eligible for membership of [F239this Section of] the Scheme, and

(b)references to the amount of a pension are to its amount—

(i)disregarding any additional pension,

(ii)after the subtraction of any amount exchanged under regulation 58 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum), and

(iii)before the subtraction of any amount allocated under regulation 62 (election to allocate pension).

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

CHAPTER 5N.I.DEATH BENEFTS

Pensions for surviving adultsN.I.

Surviving adult dependants' pensionsN.I.

67.—(1) If an active member[F240, a non-contributing member] , a deferred member or a pensioner member dies leaving a surviving adult dependant, the surviving adult dependant is entitled to a pension that is payable for life at the rate payable under regulations 69 to 73 and, in any case where that pension includes additional pension, regulations 40(4) and 42(3).

(2) In this Part “surviving adult dependant”, in relation to a deceased member or former member, means the member's or former member's surviving spouse, civil partner or [F241scheme partner] .

Textual Amendments

[F242Meaning of “surviving scheme partner”N.I.

68.  In this Part, a person (P) is a “surviving scheme partner” if the Department is satisfied that for a continuous period of at least two years, ending with the member’s death—

(a)the member and P were living together as if they were husband and wife or civil partners,

(b)the member and P were not prevented from marrying or entering into a civil partnership,

(c)the member and P were financially interdependent or P was financially dependent on the member, and

(d)neither the member nor P were living with a third person as if they were husband and wife or as if they were civil partners.]

Textual Amendments

Amount of pensions under regulation 67: active [F243and non-contributing] membersN.I.

69.—[F244(1) In the case of an active member or a non-contributing member, for the period of 6 months beginning with the day after the member’s death (“the initial period”) the rate of the pension payable under regulation 67 (if that amount is greater than the amount of the pension payable to the surviving adult under this Chapter apart from this paragraph), is equal to—

(a)in the case of a deceased active member, the rate of the member’s pensionable pay at the time of death;

(b)in the case of a deceased non-contributing member, the rate of the deceased’s reckonable pay.]

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), after the initial period, if the member dies with 2 or more years of qualifying service, the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 67—

(a)if the member has not reached the age of 65, is equal to 37.5% of the tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 to which the member would have been entitled if on the date of death the member had become entitled to such a pension, and

(b)if the member has reached the age of 65, is equal to 37.5% of the pension under regulation 45 (normal retirement pensions) to which the member would have been entitled if on the date of death the member had become entitled to such a pension in respect of any period of pensionable service that the member is entitled to count.

[F245Sub-paragraph (b) is subject to paragraph (7).]

(3) After the initial period, if the member dies with less than 2 years of qualifying service but after reaching the age of 65, the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 67 is equal to 37.5% of the pension to which the member would have been entitled (disregarding any additional pension) if on the date of death the member had become entitled to a pension under regulation 45 (normal retirement pensions) in respect of any period of pensionable service that the member is entitled to count.

[F246This is subject to paragraph (7).]

(4) After the initial period, if—

(a)the member dies with less than 2 year's qualifying service and before reaching the age of 65, and

(b)the surviving adult has a guaranteed minimum under section 13 of the 1993 Act in relation to benefits in respect of the deceased member under [F247this Section of] the Scheme,

the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 67 is equal to that guaranteed minimum, unless paragraph (5) applies.

(5) This paragraph applies if the Department's liability to provide a guaranteed minimum pension in respect of the surviving adult is discharged by the payment of a contributions equivalent premium under section 51(2) of the 1993 Act.

(6) This regulation is subject to regulation 73 (re-employed pensioners).

[F248(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(b) and (3) any increase under—

(a)regulation 47; or

(b)regulation 136U,

is ignored.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Amount of pensions under regulation 67: pensioner membersN.I.

70.—(1) In the case of a pensioner member, for the initial period the rate of the pension payable under regulation 67 is equal to the rate of the member's pension in payment at the time of death if that amount is greater than the sum of—

(a)the amount of the pension payable to the surviving adult dependant under this Chapter apart from this paragraph, and

(b)the amount of the children's pensions otherwise payable under this Part.

(2) At any time when the rate is not the rate mentioned in paragraph (1), the rate of the surviving adult dependant's pension in the case of the death of a pensioner member is equal to 37.5% of the pension to which the member was entitled on the date of death (disregarding any additional pension).

[F249(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) any reduction in the rate of the member’s pension under—

(a)Chapter 8 of this Part;

(b)regulation 58; or

(c)regulation 136L,

is ignored.

(3A) For the purpose of paragraph (2)—

(a)any reduction in the rate of the member’s pension under—

(i)regulation 48,

(ii)regulation 58, or

(iii)regulation 136L; and

(b)any increase in the rate of the member’s pension under—

(i)regulation 47, or

(ii)regulation 136U,

is ignored.]

(4) In this regulation “the initial period” means—

(a)if the member leaves one or more dependent children who are dependant on the surviving adult dependant, the period of 6 months beginning with the day after the member's death, and

(b)otherwise the period of 3 months beginning with that day.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) a child born after the member's death is treated as having been born before it.

(6) If a member who has had a tier 2 ill-health retirement pension under regulation 52 replaced by a tier 1 ill-health retirement pension (by virtue of regulation 112(2))—

(a)is in further HSC employment and dies before the end of the initial period (within the meaning of regulation 112(6)(c) and in accordance with regulation 112(2)), or

(b)is in further employment that is not HSC employment and dies within a period of one year beginning with the day on which that further employment ceased to be an “excluded employment” (within the meaning of regulation 112(6)(a)),

the member's pension referred to in paragraph (1) means that member's original tier 2 ill-health pension.

(7) This regulation is subject to regulation 73 (re-employed pensioners: adult survivor pensions in initial period).

F250(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Amount of pensions under regulation 67: deferred membersN.I.

71.—(1) In the case of a deferred member—

(a)who left pensionable service less than 12 months before the date of death, and

(b)whose surviving adult dependant would have been the member's surviving adult dependant if the member had died on the member's last day of pensionable service,

the rate of the pension payable under regulation 67 is equal to 37.5% of the tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 to which the member would have been entitled if on the date the member's pensionable service ceased the member had become entitled to such a pension under regulation 52 (but disregarding any additional pension).

(2) In the case of any other deferred member F251..., the rate of the pension payable under regulation 67 is equal to 37.5% of the pension under regulation 45(normal retirement pensions) in respect of any period of pensionable service to which the member would have been entitled if on the date of death the member had become entitled to such a pension.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Recent leaversN.I.

72.—(1) If—

(a)a recent leaver dies leaving a surviving spouse or civil partner who has a guaranteed minimum under section 13 of the 1993 Act in relation to benefits in respect of the recent leaver under [F252this Section of] the Scheme, and

(b)the member has died before reaching the age of 65,

the surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to a pension that is payable for life of an amount equal to that person's guaranteed minimum pension (disregarding any additional pension), unless paragraph (2) applies.

(2) This paragraph applies if the Department's liability to provide a guaranteed minimum pension in respect of the surviving adult is discharged by the payment of a contributions equivalent premium under section 51(2) of the 1993 Act.

(3) In this Part “recent leaver” means a person—

(a)who left pensionable service less than 12 months before the date of death,

(b)who is not a deferred member or a pensioner member because of rights resulting from that employment, and

(c)in respect of whom no transfer value or refund of contributions has been paid in respect of that employment.

Textual Amendments

Re-employed pensioners: adult survivor pensions in initial periodN.I.

73.—(1) This regulation applies if, apart from this regulation, both regulations 69(1) and 70(1) would apply on the death of a member.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the rate of pension payable by virtue of regulations 69(1) and 70(1) during the initial period (as defined in the respective regulations) shall instead be the rate provided in paragraph (3).

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), for the relevant initial period the rate of the pension payable under regulation 67 is equal to the sum of—

[F253(a)in the case of—

(i)a deceased active member, the rate of the deceased’s pensionable pay at the time of death, or

(ii)a deceased non-contributing member, the rate of the deceased’s reckonable pay on the deceased’s last day of pensionable service; and

[F254(b)the rate of the deceased member’s pension payable at the time of death after taking account of any reduction in the rate of pension under—

(i)Chapter 8 of this Part,

(ii)regulation 58, and

(iii)regulation 136L.]]

(4) Paragraph (3)(a) does not apply if—

(a)the rate of the pension payable to the surviving adult in respect of later service, and

(b)any children's pension that would otherwise be payable in respect of later service under this Part,

would be greater.

Textual Amendments

Pensions for dependent childrenN.I.

Surviving children's pensionsN.I.

74.—(1) If a member or a recent leaver dies leaving one or more dependent children, a pension is payable in respect of them.

(2) This is subject to paragraphs (7) to (9).

(3) If a dependent child ceases to be a dependent child after the date of death, the pension ceases to be payable in respect of that child.

(4) If a dependent child is born after the date of death, the same pension is payable in respect of the child as if the child had been born on the date of death.

(5) If a member or a recent leaver dies leaving two or more dependent children, they are entitled to such shares of the pension as the Department may from time to time decide.

(6) An amount payable under this regulation in respect of a dependent child is payable to the dependent child or, if the Department so decides, to another person for the dependent child's benefit.

(7) No pension is payable in respect of any dependant children who on the deceased's death are dependant on an adult who is entitled to a surviving adult's pension whilst that pension is payable at the rate mentioned in regulation 70(1) or 73(3)(b), except so much of that pension as is additional pension.

(8) If a dependent child is incapable of earning a living because of physical or mental infirmity for any period and the child is maintained out of money provided by Parliament in a hospital or other institution for a period exceeding one month, no pension is payable in respect of the child for any part of that period after the first month.

(9) If, apart from this paragraph, a pension would be payable in respect of any person as a dependent child of three or more persons who were deceased members or recent leavers—

(a)a pension is only payable in respect of two of them, and

(b)the amount payable is equal to the sum of the two highest pensions.

(10) For the rate at which the pension referred to in paragraph (1) is payable, see regulations 76 to 81 and, in any case where that pension includes additional pension, regulations 40(4) and 42(3).

Meaning of “dependent child”N.I.

75.—(1) In this Part “dependent child”, in relation to a deceased member or recent leaver, means a person who—

(a)meets the relationship condition in paragraph (2),

(b)either—

(i)has not reached the age of 23, or

(ii)in the opinion of the Scheme administrator was financially dependent on the deceased at the date of death because of physical or mental impairment and remains so,

(c)was born—

(i)[F255before the deceased ceased to be an active member] , or

(ii)within one year after the deceased ceased to be an active member,

(d)in the case of a person within sub-paragraph (c)(i), was dependent on the deceased—

(i)at the date of death, and

(ii)if the deceased died after ceasing to be an active member, when the deceased ceased to be an active member, and

(e)in the case of a person within sub-paragraph (c)(ii)—

(i)was dependent on the deceased both at birth and at the deceased's death, or

(ii)if the person was born after the deceased's death, would have been dependent on the deceased had the deceased not died before the person's birth.

(2) A person meets the relationship condition if the person is—

(a)a natural child or natural grandchild of the deceased,

(b)an adopted child of the deceased who was adopted whilst the deceased was an active member,

(c)a step-child of the deceased whose natural or adoptive parent is the deceased's surviving spouse or civil partner from a marriage entered into, or a civil partnership formed, whilst the deceased was an active member,

(d)in a case where the deceased left a surviving [F256scheme partner] with whom the deceased was living as mentioned in [F257regulation 68(a) and (b)] when the deceased ceased to be an active member, a person whose natural or adoptive parent is the deceased's surviving [F256scheme partner] ,

(e)a brother or sister, or a child of a brother or sister, of the member or the member's spouse or civil partner or [F258scheme partner] ,

(f)a half-brother or half-sister, or a child of a half-brother or half-sister, of the member or the member's spouse or civil partner or [F259scheme partner] ,

(g)a person whom, in the opinion of the Scheme administrator, the deceased intended when the deceased ceased to be an active member to adopt, or

(h)a person who had been dependent on the deceased for 2 years or (if less) half the person's life when the deceased ceased to be an active member.

Textual Amendments

Amount of children's pension under regulation 74: deceased active members [F260and deceased non-contributing members] N.I.

76.—(1) This regulation applies for determining the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 74(1) (surviving children's pensions) if at the date of death the deceased was an active [F261,or a non-contributing] member of [F262this Section of] the Scheme who was not also a pensioner member.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), that amount is the appropriate fraction of the basic death pension.

(3) In this regulation “the basic death pension” means—

where—

RP is the deceased's reckonable pay, and

LRS is the length of the deceased's relevant service, expressed in days.

[F263(4) For this purpose “relevant service” means—

(a)in the case of an active member, the greater of—

(i)the pensionable service the deceased was entitled to count on the date of death, increased by the enhancement period (if any) that would have applied for the purposes of regulation 52(5) if the deceased had become entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension on the date of death, and

(ii)10 years' pensionable service;

(b)in the case of a non-contributing member, the pensionable service that the deceased was entitled to count on the date of death.]

[F264In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this is subject to regulation 136X [F265and in the case of a Waiting Period Joiner, this is subject to regulation 136ZC].]

(5) In this regulation “the appropriate fraction” means—

(a)if there is a surviving parent of the dependent child or children or a surviving spouse or civil partner of a parent of the dependent child or children and a surviving adult dependant's pension is payable under regulation 67—

(i)one-quarter if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)one-half if there are two or more dependent children,

(b)if there is such a parent or spouse or partner of a parent, but no surviving adult dependant's pension is payable under regulation 67—

(i)one-third if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)two-thirds if there are two or more dependent children,

(c)if there is no such parent nor spouse nor partner of such a parent—

(i)one-third if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)two-thirds if there are two or more dependent children.

(6) If—

(a)a surviving adult dependant's pension is payable under regulation 67, and

(b)there is a dependent child who is not dependent on the person entitled to that pension,

the rate of the pension payable in respect of that child for the first 3 months after the deceased's death is [F266equal to—

(i)

in the case of a deceased active member, the rate of the deceased’s pensionable pay at the date of death, and

(ii)

in the case of a deceased non-contributing member, the rate of the deceased’s reckonable pay.]

(7) In a case within [F267paragraph (5)(b) or (c)] , the rate of the pension in respect of the dependant child or children for the period of 6 months beginning with the deceased's death is [F268equal to—

(i)

in the case of a deceased active member, the rate of the deceased’s pensionable pay at the date of death, and

(ii)

in the case of a deceased non-contributing member, the rate of the deceased’s reckonable pay.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Amount of children's pension under regulation 74: deceased pensioner membersN.I.

77.—(1) This regulation applies for determining the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 74(1) (surviving children's pensions) if at the date of death the deceased was a pensioner member of [F269this Section of] the Scheme who was not also an active member [F270or a non-contributing member] .

(2) Subject to paragraphs (5), (6) and (7) that amount is the appropriate fraction of the basic death pension.

(3) In this regulation “the basic death pension” means the greater of—

(a)75% of the deceased's annual pension (disregarding any additional pension), and

(b)75% of the annual pension to which the deceased would have been entitled if the deceased had been entitled to count 10 years' pensionable service (disregarding any additional pension).

[F271In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this is subject to regulation 136X [F272and in the case of a Waiting Period Joiner, this is subject to regulation 136ZC].]

(4) In this regulation “the appropriate fraction” means—

(a)if there is a surviving parent of the dependent child or children or a surviving spouse or civil partner of a parent of the dependent child or children and a surviving adult dependant's pension is payable under regulation 67—

(i)one-quarter if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)one-half if there are two or more dependent children,

(b)if there is such a parent or spouse or partner of a parent, but no surviving adult dependant's pension is payable under regulation 67—

(i)one-third if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)two-thirds if there are two or more dependent children,

(c)if there is no such parent or spouse or partner of a parent—

(i)one-third if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)two-thirds if there are two or more dependent children.

(5) If—

(a)a surviving adult dependant's pension is payable under regulation 67, and

(b)there is a dependent child who is not dependent on the person entitled to that pension,

the rate of the pension in respect of that child for the first 3 months after the deceased's death is equal to the rate of the member's pension at the date of death (disregarding any additional pension).

[F273(6) In a case within paragraph (4)(b) or (c), the rate of the pension in respect of the dependent child or children for the period of 6 months beginning with the deceased’s death is equal to the greater of—

(a)the rate of the member’s pension at the date of death disregarding any reduction made under Chapter 8 (Abatement) and any additional pension, and

(b)the amount of children’s pension that would otherwise be payable under these Regulations.]

(7) If the deceased member's pension was payable under regulation 48 (early payment of pensions with actuarial reduction), the reference in paragraph (3) (a) and (b) to the member's pension is a reference to the amount that the member's pension would have been if it had been calculated without the reduction mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) of that regulation.

[F274(8) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), any reduction in the member’s pension under regulation 58 and regulation 136L will be ignored.]

Textual Amendments

Amount of children's pension under regulation 74: deceased deferred membersN.I.

78.—(1) This regulation applies for determining the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 74(1) (surviving children's pensions) if at the date of death the deceased was a deferred member of [F275this Section of] the Scheme who was not also an active member [F276or a non-contributing member] or a pensioner member.

(2) That amount is the appropriate fraction of the basic death pension.

(3) In this regulation “the basic death pension”—

(a)if the deceased died within 12 months after ceasing to be an active member [F277or a non-contributing member] , means the amount that would be the basic death pension for the purposes of regulation 76 if the deceased had died on the day of so ceasing (disregarding any additional pension), and

(b)otherwise, means the greater of—

(i)75% of the pension to which the deceased would have been entitled if the deceased had become entitled to a pension under regulation 45 on the date of death (disregarding any additional pension), and

(ii)75% of the pension to which the deceased would have been entitled if the deceased had become so entitled and the pension had been calculated on the assumption that the member was entitled to 10 years' pensionable service (disregarding any additional pension).

[F278In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this is subject to regulation 136X [F279and in the case of a Waiting Period Joiner, this is subject to regulation 136ZC].]

(4) In this regulation “the appropriate fraction” means—

(a)if there is a surviving parent of the dependent child or children or a surviving spouse or civil partner of a parent of the dependent child or children and a surviving adult's pension is payable—

(i)one-quarter if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)one-half if there are two or more dependent children,

(b)otherwise—

(i)one-third if there is only one dependent child, and

(ii)two-thirds if there are two or more dependent children.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Amount of children's pension under regulation 74: recent leaversN.I.

79.—(1) This regulation applies for determining the annual amount of the pension payable under regulation 74(1) (surviving children's pensions) if at the date of death the deceased was a recent leaver (within the meaning of regulation 72(3).

(2) That amount is the appropriate fraction of the basic death pension.

(3) In this regulation—

[F280(a)“the basic death pension” means 75% of the pension to which the deceased would have been entitled if the deceased had become entitled to—

(i)a pension under regulation 74(5) on the date of death, or

(ii)if greater, the amount that the member’s pension would have been if it had been based on 10 years' pensionable service (disregarding any additional pension), and]

(b)“the appropriate fraction” means—

(i)if there is a surviving parent of the dependant child or children or a surviving spouse or civil partner of a parent of the dependant child or children and a surviving adult's pension is payable—

(aa)one-quarter if there is only one dependant child, and

(bb)one-half if there are two or more dependant children,

(ii)otherwise—

(aa)one-third if there is only one dependant child, and

(bb)two-thirds if there are two or more dependant children.

Textual Amendments

Power to increase pension in respect of children not maintained by surviving parent etcN.I.

80.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)a member dies leaving a dependent child or children,

(b)there is a surviving parent of the dependent child or children or a surviving spouse or civil partner of a parent of the dependent child or children, and

(c)the dependent child or children are not being maintained by that surviving parent, spouse or partner.

(2) The Department may increase the amount of the pension that would otherwise be payable under this Chapter in respect of the dependant child or children.

(3) The increased amount may not exceed the amount that would have been payable under this Chapter if there had been no such surviving parent or spouse or partner of a parent.

Amount of children's pension under regulation 74: re-employed pensionersN.I.

81.—(1) This regulation applies for determining the annual amount of a pension payable under regulation 74(1) (surviving children's pensions) if at the date of death the deceased was an active member [F281or a non-contributing member] who was also a pensioner member of [F282this Section of] the Scheme.

(2) If there is no surviving adult dependant, the rate of the pension in respect of the dependent child or children for the period of 6 months beginning with the deceased's death is equal to the sum of—

[F283(a)in the case of—

(i)a deceased active member, the rate of the deceased’s pensionable pay at the date of death, or

(ii)a deceased non-contributing member, the rate of the deceased’s reckonable pay, and]

(b)the rate of the pension being received by the deceased at the date of death (after taking account of any abatement under Chapter 8).

(3) Subject to paragraph (5), except where a pension is payable at the rate mentioned in paragraph (2), the pension in respect of the member's later service shall be paid as the appropriate fraction of 75% of the rate of pension described in—

(a)regulation 52(5) if the deceased has not reached the age of 65 on the date of death, or

(b)regulation 45 if the deceased has reached the age of 65 on the date of death.

(4) In this regulation “appropriate fraction” has the meaning given in regulation 76(5).

(5) If any dependent child was a dependent child both at the time when the pensionable service in respect of which the pension is payable ceased and at the date of death, the annual amount of the pension in respect of the dependent child or children is the sum of—

(a)the annual amount that would be payable in respect of the child under regulation 76 as a result of the member dying whilst an active member [F284or a non-contributing member] if that regulation applied to members who are also pensioner members (disregarding the pensionable service in respect of which the pension is payable (“the pension service”) and any additional pension), and

(b)the annual amount that would be payable in respect of the child under regulation 77 as a result of the member dying whilst a pensioner member if that regulation applied to members who are also active members [F285or non-contributing members] (having regard only to the pension service and disregarding any additional pension).

(6) If, apart from this paragraph, the sum of—

(a)the relevant service (as defined in regulation 76(4)) for the purposes of the calculation of the annual amount referred to in paragraph (5)(a), and

(b)the pension service,

would be less than 10 years' pensionable service, the deceased's relevant service for the purposes of that calculation is increased by the length of the shortfall.

Textual Amendments

Lump sum death benefitsN.I.

Lump sum benefits on death: introductionN.I.

82.—(1) If a member or a recent leaver or a deferred member dies before reaching the age of 75, a lump sum is payable in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to the following provisions of this Chapter.

(3) This regulation does not apply if—

(a)the member is—

(i)a pensioner member, or

(ii)a pension credit member who dies after any benefits attributable to the pension credit have become payable, and

(b)the death takes place more than five years after the member's pension becomes payable.

Amount of lump sum: single capacity members and recent leavers (disregarding regulation 49 employments)N.I.

83.—(1) The lump sum payable on the death of an active member [F286or a non-contributing member] , who is not also a deferred member or a pensioner member, is an amount equal to twice the member's reckonable pay.

[F287In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this is subject to regulation 136W [F288and in the case of a Waiting Period Joiner, this is subject to regulation 136ZB].]

(2) The lump sum payable on the death of a pensioner member, who is not also an active member [F289or a non-contributing member] or a deferred member, is, in respect of each pension to which the member is entitled, the lesser of—

(a)an amount equal to five times the annual rate of the pension (other than any additional pension), less the amount of the pension payments already made to the member, and

[F290(b)an amount equal to twice the member’s reckonable pay by reference to which the pension was calculated, less the aggregate of—

(i)any lump sum paid to the member when the pension came into payment as a result of the member exercising the option under regulation 58, and

(ii)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the lump sum paid to the Optant under regulation 136L.]

[F289This is subject to regulations 86A and 87.]

(3) The lump sum payable on the death of a deferred member, who [F291was not an active member or non-contributing member] or a pensioner member, is an amount equal to the member's deferred annual pension, multiplied by 2.25.

(4) The lump sum payable on the death of a recent leaver is an amount equal to the deferred annual pension to which the person would have been entitled if the person were entitled to such a pension calculated by reference to the pensionable service the recent leaver was entitled to count in the service that has ceased, multiplied by 2.25.

(5) References in this regulation to a member's deferred annual pension are to the annual pension, in respect of any period of pensionable service, to which the member would have been entitled under regulation 45 (normal retirement pensions) if on the date of death the member had become entitled to such a pension (other than any additional pension).

[F292(6) The reference in paragraph (2)(a) to the annual rate of the member’s pension is to the member’s pension after it has been reduced to take account of—

(a)the exercise by the member of an option under regulation 58; and

(b)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the lump sum paid to the Optant under regulation 136L.]

(7) If a pensioner member exercised the option under regulation 62 (election to allocate pension), the reference in paragraph (2)(a) to the amount of the pension payments already made to the member is a reference to the amount of the pension payments that would have been made apart from the election.

(8) For the purposes of this regulation, the fact that a person—

(a)[F293was an active member or a non-contributing member] in service in an employment in respect of which the member has exercised the option under regulation 49,

(b)is a deferred member as a result of service in an employment in respect of which the member has exercised that option, or

(c)is a pensioner member by virtue of being entitled to a pension under that regulation,

is ignored.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Amount of lump sum: dual capacity members (disregarding regulation 49 employments)N.I.

84.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies for determining the lump sum payable by virtue of this regulation on the death of a member who—

(a)was an active member [F294or a non-contributing member] otherwise than in service in an employment in respect of which the member had exercised the option under regulation 49 (partial retirement: members aged at least 55), and

(b)was also a pensioner member.

(2) The lump sum is an amount equal to the sum of—

[F295(a)five times the annual rate of pension—

(i)payable under regulation 52(5) (tier 2 ill-health pension), if the deceased had not reached the age of 65,

(ii)payable under regulation 45 (normal retirement pensions), if the deceased had reached the age of 65,

to which the member would have been entitled—

(aa)in the case of a deceased active member, at the member’s date of death, or

(bb)in the case of a deceased non-contributing member, on the last day of the member’s pensionable service; and]

(b)in respect of each pension to which the person has been entitled for less than 5 years, the lesser of—

(i)five times the annual rate of the pension payable after exercising any option under regulation 58 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum), less the amount of the pension payments already made to the member, and

(ii)an amount equal to twice the member's reckonable pay by reference to which the pension was calculated, less any lump sum paid to the member when the pension came into payment as a result of the member exercising the option under regulation 58 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum).

[F296This is subject to paragraph (4).]

(3) If the pensioner member exercised the option under regulation 62, the reference in paragraph (2)(b) to the amount of the pension payments already made to the member is a reference to the amount of the pension payments that would have been made apart from the election.

[F297(4) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant—

(a)the reference to the annual rate of pension in paragraph (2)(b)(i) is to the annual rate of pension after it has been reduced to take account of the lump sum paid to the Optant under regulation 136L; and

(b)the amount of the Optant’s reckonable pay for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b)(ii) shall be reduced by the aggregate of—

(i)the amount of the lump sum paid to the Optant under regulation 136L, and

(ii)the lump sum under regulation 58 referred to in paragraph (2)(b)(ii).]

Textual Amendments

Amount of lump sum: dual capacity members: members with pensions under regulation 49N.I.

85.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies for determining the lump sum payable by virtue of this regulation on the death of a member who—

(a)[F298was an active member or a non-contributing member] in service in an employment in respect of which the member has exercised the option under regulation 49 (partial retirement: members aged at least 55), and

(b)[F299was] a pensioner member by virtue of being entitled to a pension under that regulation.

(2) The lump sum is an amount equal to the sum of—

(a)twice the appropriate fraction of the member's [F300reckonable pay] in that employment at the date of death, and

(b)if the member had been entitled to any pensions under regulation 49 for less than 5 years, the lesser of—

(i)the total of the guarantee amounts for each of those pensions (see paragraph (3)), and

(ii)the aggregate lump sum cap (see paragraph (4)).

[F301In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this is subject to regulation 136W.]

(3) The guarantee amount for a pension under regulation 49 is five times the annual rate of the pension at the date of death, less the amount of the pension payments already made to the member in respect of the pension.

[F302(4) The aggregate lump sum cap is equal to twice the appropriate fraction of the reckonable pay by reference to which the pension to which the member became entitled on last exercising the option under regulation 49 was calculated, less the total of any lump sums paid to the member—

(a)in exchange for pensions under regulation 49 as a result of the member exercising the option under regulation 58; and

(b)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the lump sum paid to that Optant under regulation 136L.]

(5) In this regulation “the appropriate fraction” means—

where—

DPS is, where the member continues in pensionable service as an active member [F303or a non-contributing member] on the option day (or the last such option day if the option has been exercised more than once), the total number of days which do not form part of the specified percentage of pensionable service at the option day, and

TDPS is the aggregate of DPS and the total number of days of pensionable service (at the option day or the last such option day if the option has been exercised more than once) which forms part of the specified percentage of pensionable service.

Textual Amendments

Amount of lump sum: pension credit membersN.I.

86.—(1) The lump sum payable on the death of a pension credit member who dies before any benefits derived from the member's pension credit have become payable is an amount equal to the amount of the annual pension to which the member would have become entitled under regulation 46 if the member had reached the age of 65 on the date of death, multiplied by 2.25.

(2) The lump sum payable on the death of a pension credit member who dies after a pension under that regulation has become payable is equal to the lower of—

(a)the annual amount of the pension that would have been payable to the member during so much of the period of five years beginning with the date on which the pension became payable as falls after the date of death, and

where—

RP is the amount as at the valuation day of the reckonable pay of the debit member from whose rights the pension credit member's pension credit is derived, and

CLS is the amount of the lump sum (if any) paid to the pension credit member as a result of the member exercising the option under regulation 58 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum) on becoming entitled to the pension under regulation 46.

F304(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) In this regulation—

“valuation day” means the day referred to in Article 26(7) of the 1999 Order, F305...

F305...

Textual Amendments

[F306Pension payable when member dies on or after reaching age 75N.I.

86A.—(1) If [F307, on or before 5th April 2011,] a pensioner member or a pension credit member dies—

(a)on or after reaching age 75; and

(b)before the fifth anniversary of the date on which the member’s pension became payable,

an annual pension, calculated in accordance with paragraph (2), may be payable from the day following the date of the member’s death until the anniversary referred to in sub-paragraph (b).

(2) The pension payable under paragraph (1) is determined by—

(a)calculating the amount of the lump sum that would have been payable in respect of the pensioner member or pension credit member under regulation 83(2) or, as the case may be, 86 as if on the day the member died the member had not reached the age of 75; and

(b)converting any amount determined in sub-paragraph (a) to an annual pension payable for the period specified in paragraph (1), by reference to guidance and tables provided by the Scheme actuary for the purpose.

(3) The “beginning date” of the pension calculated in paragraph (2) will, for the purposes of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, be the day immediately following the date of death of the pensioner member or pension credit member.

(4) The pension calculated under this regulation will be payable in accordance with regulation 87.]

Textual Amendments

Payment of lump sums [F308or pensions] on deathN.I.

87.—(1) A lump sum payable under regulation 82 [F309or a pension payable under regulation 86A] must be paid in accordance with this regulation.

(2) The lump sum [F310or pension] must be paid to the member's personal representatives, except so far as it is payable to a different person [F311or body under paragraph (4), (6) or (10)] .

(3) A member may give notice to the Department—

(a)specifying—

(i)the member's personal representatives,

(ii)one or more other individuals, or

(iii)one incorporated or unincorporated body,

to whom the lump sum [F312or pension] is to be paid, and

(b)where two or more individuals are specified, specifying the percentage of the payment payable to each of them.

(4) If the member—

(a)has given notice under paragraph (3) specifying a person, and

(b)has not revoked that notice,

the lump sum [F313or pension] (or, as the case may be, the percentage of it specified in respect of the person) may be paid to the person, unless paragraph (5) or (7) applies.

(5) This paragraph applies if—

(a)the person specified in the notice has died before the payment can be made, or

(b)payment to that person is not, in the opinion of the Department, reasonably practicable.

(6) If the member—

(a)leaves a surviving adult dependant, and

(b)has not given notice under paragraph (3) or has revoked any notice so given,

the lump sum [F314or pension] may be paid to that person unless paragraph (7) applies.

(7) This paragraph applies if the person to whom the lump sum [F315or pension] (or a specified percentage of the lump sum [F315or pension] ) would otherwise be payable has been convicted of an offence specified in regulation 130(2) (forfeiture of rights to benefit) and the Department has directed, as a consequence of that conviction, that the person's right to a payment in respect of the member's death is forfeited.

(8) A notice under paragraph (3)—

(a)must be given in writing, and

(b)may be revoked at any time by a further notice in writing.

(9) The Department may pay the lump sum to any person claiming to be the member's personal representative or otherwise to fall within paragraph (3)(a), without requiring proof that the person is such a person concerned, if the lump sum does not exceed—

(a)£5,000, or

(b)any higher amount specified in an order made under section 6(1) of the Administration of Estates (Small Payments) (Northern Ireland) Act 1967 M24 as the amount to be treated as substituted for references to £500 in section 1 of that Act.

[F316(10) The member’s personal representatives may, as part of the distribution of the member’s estate, give irrevocable notice to the Department—

(a)specifying—

(i)one or more individuals, or

(ii)one incorporated or unincorporated body,

to whom the benefit of the pension under regulation 86A from the date of receipt of the notice by the Department is to be assigned; and

(b)where two or more individuals are specified, specifying the percentage of the pension payable to each of them,

and the pension (or, as the case may be, the percentage of it specified in respect of the person) may be paid to the person or body, unless paragraph (11) applies.

(11) This paragraph applies if—

(a)the person specified in the notice has died before the payment can be made;

(b)payment to that person is not, in the opinion of the Department, reasonably practicable; or

(c)the person to whom the pension (or a specified percentage of the pension) would otherwise be payable has been convicted of an offence specified in regulation 130 (4) (Forfeiture of rights to benefit) and the Department has directed, as a consequence of that conviction, that the person’s right to a payment in respect of the member’s death is forfeited.

(12) The prohibition on assignment of benefits in regulation 135 (Prohibition on assignment or charging of benefits) shall not apply to an assignment by personal representatives under this regulation.]

[F317(13) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136T.]

[F318(14) In the case of a Waiting Period Joiner, this regulation is subject to regulation 136Z.]

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Tax treatment under the Finance Act 2004 of lump sums payable on pensioners' deathsN.I.

88.—(1) A pensioner's lump sum (less any amount deducted under paragraph (4) where that applies) is treated for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004 as a pension protection lump sum death benefit if the member has given the Scheme administrator a statement in writing that any such lump sum is to be treated as such a benefit.

(2) In this regulation “pensioner's lump sum” means—

(a)a lump sum payable under regulation 82 to which regulation 83(2) applies, or

(b)so much of a lump sum payable under regulation 82 as is calculated under regulation 84(2).

(3) Paragraph (4) applies if the person who is the Scheme administrator for the purposes of section 206 of the Finance Act 2004 (“the administrator”) is liable for tax under that section in respect of a pension protection lump sum death benefit.

(4) The administrator may deduct from the lump sum the tax payable in respect of it.

Miscellaneous and general provisionsN.I.

Death during period of absenceN.I.

89.—(1) This regulation applies if a person dies during a period when the person is absent from work because of—

(a)illness or injury,

(b)ordinary maternity leave,

(c)ordinary adoption leave,

[F319(ca)parental bereavement leave,]

(d)paternity leave F320...

[F321(e)parental leave or shared parental leave,]

and the earnings used to calculate the person's pensionable pay have ceased to be paid before the person's death.

(2) Any benefits payable under this Chapter must be calculated as if the person had died in pensionable service on the day before those earnings ceased.

Textual Amendments

F320Words in reg. 89(d) omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 10(a)

F321Reg. 89(e) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 10(b)

Polygamous marriagesN.I.

90.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)a member dies without leaving a surviving adult dependant, and

(b)at the date of death the member was married to one or more persons under a law which permits polygamy.

(2) If, had the member left a surviving adult dependant, any benefit would have been payable to the surviving adult dependant as such, that benefit is payable—

(a)if there is one such person, to that person, or

(b)if there are two or more such persons, to those persons in equal shares.

(3) Such a person's share of a pension will not be increased on the death of any such person.

Dual capacity membership: death benefitsN.I.

91.—(1) This paragraph applies if the deceased member was—

(a)a member of [F322this Section of] the Scheme of two or more of the kinds specified in paragraph (2),

(b)a pensioner member in respect of two or more pensions, or

(c)a deferred member in respect of two or more pensions.

(2) The kinds of member are—

(a)an active member,

(b)a deferred member,

(c)a pensioner member, and

(d)a pension credit member.

(3) If paragraph (1) applies, the general rule is that—

(a)benefits are payable in respect of the member under this Chapter as if two or more members of the kinds in question had died (so that two or more pensions or lump sums are payable in respect of the one deceased member), and

(b)the amounts payable are determined accordingly.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply where specific provision to the contrary is made about a person to whom that paragraph would otherwise apply.

(5) See, in particular—

(a)regulation 69 (amount of pensions under regulation 67: active members),

(b)regulation 70 (amount of pensions under regulation 67: pensioner members),

(c)regulation 73 (re-employed pensioners: adult survivor pensions in initial period),

(d)regulation 74 (surviving children's pensions),

(e)regulation 81 (amount of children's pension under regulation 74: re-employed pensioners),

(f)regulation 82 (lump sum benefits on death: introduction),

(g)regulation 84 (amount of lump sum: dual capacity members (disregarding regulation 49 employments)),

(h)regulation 85 (amount of lump sum: dual capacity members: members with pensions under regulation 49), and

[F323(hh)regulation 86A (Pension payable when member dies on or after age 75);]

(i)Chapter 7 (re-employment and rejoining [F324this Section of] the Scheme).

(6) If a person who is a pension credit member is entitled to two or more pension credits—

(a)benefits are payable in respect of the person under this Chapter as if the person were two or more persons, each being entitled to one of the pension credits (so that two or more pensions or lump sums are payable in respect of the one pension credit member), and

(b)the amounts of those benefits are determined accordingly.

Textual Amendments

Guaranteed minimum pensions for surviving spouses and civil partnersN.I.

92.—(1) If a person who is the surviving spouse or civil partner of a deceased active, deferred or pensioner member has a guaranteed minimum under section 13 of the 1993 Act in relation to benefits in respect of the deceased member under [F325this Section of] the Scheme—

(a)nothing in this Part permits or requires anything that would cause requirements made by or under that Act in relation to such a person and such a person's rights under a scheme not to be met in the case of the person,

(b)nothing in this Part prevents anything from being done which is necessary or expedient for the purposes of meeting such requirements in the case of the person, and

(c)paragraph (2) is without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph.

(2) If apart from this regulation—

(a)no pension would be payable to the surviving spouse or civil partner under this Chapter, or

(b)the weekly rate of the pensions payable would be less than the guaranteed minimum,

a pension the weekly rate of which is equal to the guaranteed minimum is payable to the surviving spouse or civil partner for life or, as the case may be, pensions the aggregate weekly rate of which is equal to the guaranteed minimum are so payable.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to a pension that is forfeited—

(a)as a result of a conviction for treason, or

(b)in a case where an offence within regulation 130(2)(b) (forfeiture of rights to benefit) is committed.

Textual Amendments

CHAPTER 6N.I.TRANSFERS

Transfers outN.I.

Introduction: rights to transfer value paymentN.I.

93.—(1) This Chapter supplements the rights conferred by or under Chapter IV of Part IV of the 1993 Act (transfer values).

(2) This Chapter is without prejudice to that Chapter or Chapter V of that Part M25 (early leavers: cash transfer sums and contribution refunds).

(3) Accordingly—

(a)a member to whom Chapter IV of that Part applies (see [F326section 89] of that Act) is entitled to require the payment of a transfer value in respect of the rights to benefit that have accrued to or in respect of the member under [F327this Section of] the Scheme, and

(b)a member to whom Chapter V of that Part applies (see section 97AA(1) of that Act) is entitled to a cash transfer sum or a contribution refund in accordance with that Chapter.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5) and the other provisions of this Chapter, any other member is entitled to require such a payment as if such rights had accrued to or in respect of him by reference to the pensionable service the member is entitled to count under [F328this Section of] the Scheme (and references in this Chapter to the member's accrued rights or benefits are to be read accordingly).

(5) Paragraph (4) does not—

(a)give any rights to an active member,

(b)give any rights to a pensioner member in respect of the pension to which the member has become entitled, or

(c)give any rights to a pension credit member in respect of rights that are directly attributable to a pension credit.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

M25Chapter 5 (sections 97AA to 97AI) is inserted by Article 241 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)

Applications for statements of entitlementN.I.

94.—(1) A member who requires a transfer value payment to be made must apply in writing to the Department for a statement of the amount of the cash equivalent of the member's accrued benefits under [F329this Section of] the Scheme at the guarantee date (“a statement of entitlement”).

(2) In this Part, “the guarantee date” means any date that—

(a)falls within the required period,

(b)is chosen by the Department,

(c)is specified in the statement of entitlement, and

(d)is within the period of 10 days ending with the date on which the member is provided with the statement of entitlement.

(3) In counting the period of 10 days referred to in sub-paragraph (d), Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday are excluded.

(4) In paragraph (2) “the required period” means—

(a)the period of 3 months beginning with the date of the member's application for a statement of entitlement, or

(b)such longer period beginning with that date (but not exceeding six months) as may reasonably be required if, for reasons beyond the control of the Department, the requisite information cannot be obtained to calculate the amount of the cash equivalent.

(5) The member may withdraw the application for a statement of entitlement by notice in writing at any time before the statement is provided.

Textual Amendments

Applications for transfer value payments: generalN.I.

95.—(1) A member who has applied for and received a statement of entitlement under regulation 94 may apply in writing to the Department for a transfer value payment to be made.

(2) On making such an application a member becomes entitled to a payment of an amount equal, or amounts equal in aggregate, to the amount specified in the statement of entitlement (or such other amount as may be payable by virtue of regulation 96(2)).

(3) In this Part such a payment is referred to as “the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment”.

(4) The application must specify the pension scheme or other arrangement to which the payment or payments should be applied.

(5) The application must meet such other conditions as the Department may require.

(6) An application under this regulation may be withdrawn by notice in writing to the Department, unless an agreement for the application of the whole or part of the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment has been entered into with a third party before the notice is given.

Applications for transfer value payments: time limitsN.I.

96.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4), an application under regulation 95(1) must be made before the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the guarantee date, and the payment must be made no later than—

(a)6 months after that date, or

(b)if it is earlier, the date on which the member reaches 65.

(2) If the payment is made later than 6 months after the guarantee date, the amount of the payment to which the member is entitled must be increased by—

(a)the amount by which the amount specified in the statement of entitlement falls short of the amount it would have been if the guarantee date had been the date on which the payment is made, or

(b)if it is greater and there was no reasonable excuse for the delay in payment, interest on the amount specified in the statement of entitlement, calculated on a daily basis over the period from the guarantee date to the date when the payment is made at an annual rate of 1% above the base rate.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies if—

(a)disciplinary or court proceedings against the member are begun within 12 months after the member leaves the employment which qualified the member to belong to the Scheme, and

(b)it appears to the Department that the proceedings may lead to all or part of the member's benefits being forfeited under regulation 130 (forfeiture of rights to benefit).

(4) The Department may defer doing what is needed to carry out what the member requires until the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the date on which those proceedings (including any proceedings on appeal) are concluded.

(5) In any case where a direction is given under regulation 130 for the forfeiture of a member's benefits, this regulation applies as if the amount specified in the statement of entitlement were reduced by an amount equal to the value of the benefits forfeited, as determined by the Scheme actuary.

(6) In respect of an applicant who [F330falls within regulation 93(4)] —

(a)in the case of an application that requires the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment to be made to a registered occupational pension scheme or a registered personal pension scheme, an application under paragraph (1) may only be made if—

(i)the applicant became a member of that scheme not later than the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the date on which the member ceased to be in the pensionable service in which the rights accrued (“the leaving date”), and

(ii)the application is made not later than—

(aa)the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the applicant became a member of that scheme, or

(bb)if the applicant became a member of that scheme on or before the leaving date, the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the leaving date;

(b)in any other case, an application under paragraph (1) may only be made before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the leaving date.

Textual Amendments

Ways in which transfer value payments may be appliedN.I.

97.—(1) [F331If Chapter IV of Part IV of the 1993 Act applies to a member, that member] may only require the Department to apply the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment in one or more of the ways permitted under section 91 of the 1993 Act.

[F332(2) In any other case, a member may only require the Department to apply the guaranteed equivalent transfer value payment in one or more of the ways permitted under section 97AE of the 1993 Act.]

(3) The whole of the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment must be applied, unless paragraph (4) applies.

(4) The benefits attributable to—

(a)the member's accrued rights to a guaranteed minimum pension, or

(b)the member's accrued rights attributable to service in contracted-out employment on or after 6th April 1997,

may be excluded from the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment if section 92(2) of the 1993 Act applies (trustees or managers of certain receiving schemes or arrangements able and willing to accept a transfer payment only in respect of the member's other rights).

(5) A transfer payment may only be made to—

(a)a pension scheme that is registered under Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004, or

(b)an arrangement that is a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme for the purposes of that Part (see section 169(2) of that Act).

Textual Amendments

Calculating amounts of transfer value paymentsN.I.

98.—[F333(1) The amount of the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment is to be calculated and verified by the Department in accordance with the Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. This is subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (5).

(2) Before determining the factors to be used in the calculation of the member’s guaranteed cash equivalent, the Department shall take advice from the Scheme actuary.]

(3) If, subject to paragraph (5), the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (1) is less than the member's minimum transfer value (if any), the amount of the guaranteed cash equivalent transfer value payment is to be equal to that value instead.

[F334(4) In paragraph (3) “minimum transfer value” means—

(a)in the case of a person other than a 2008 Section Optant, the sum of—

(i)any transfer value payments that have been made to this Section of the Scheme in respect of the person as a result of which the person is entitled to count any pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme by reference to which the accrued rights subject to the transfer are calculated, and

(ii)any contributions paid by the person under Chapter 3 of this Part as a result of which the person is entitled to count such service;

(b)in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the sum of—

(i)any transfer value payments that have been made to this Section of the Scheme in respect of the person as a result of which the person is entitled to count any pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme by reference to which the accrued rights subject to the transfer are calculated,

(ii)any contributions paid by the person under Chapter 3 of this Part as a result of which the person is entitled to count such service, and

(iii)the aggregate of any—

(aa)transfer value payments that have been made to the 1995 Section in respect of the Optant;

(bb)any contributions paid by the Optant under regulation 10 of the 1995 Regulations (Contributions by members) in respect of superannuable employment in that Section on or before 31st March 2008; and

(cc)any payments made by the Optant under regulation 67 of the 1995 Regulations (Right to buy additional service) for the purchase of additional service,

which entitle the Optant to count, under Chapter 10 of this Part, any pensionable service by reference to which the accrued rights subject to the transfer are calculated.]

(5) If the transfer value payment is made under the public sector transfer arrangements, the amount of the transfer value payment is calculated—

(a)in accordance with those arrangements rather than paragraphs (1) and (3), and

(b)by reference to the guidance and tables provided by the Scheme actuary for the purposes of this paragraph that are in use on the date used for the calculation.

[F335(6) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136L.]

Textual Amendments

Effect of transfers-outN.I.

99.  If a transfer value payment is made under this Chapter in respect of a person's rights under [F336this Section of] the Scheme, those rights are extinguished.

Textual Amendments

Transfers inN.I.

Right to apply for acceptance of transfer value payment from another schemeN.I.

100.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, an active member may apply for a transfer value payment in respect of some or all of the rights that have accrued to or in respect of him under any kind of scheme or arrangement to which paragraph (2) applies, other than a FSAVC, to be accepted by [F337this Section of] the Scheme.

(2) This paragraph applies to—

(a)a registered occupational pension scheme [F338other than a corresponding health service scheme] ,

(b)a registered personal pension scheme,

(c)a registered buy-out policy, and

[F339(d)a corresponding 1995 scheme, and

(e)a corresponding 2008 scheme.]

[F340(2A) A member who makes an application for a transfer value to be accepted by the Department in respect of his rights under a corresponding 2008 scheme may not also make an application for a transfer value to be accepted in respect of his rights under a corresponding 1995 scheme.”;]

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to rights that are directly attributable to a pension credit.

(4) In this regulation “FSAVC” means—

(a)a scheme which—

(i)immediately before 6th April 2006 was approved by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs by virtue of section 591(2)(h) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 M26 (free-standing AVC schemes), and

(ii)became a registered scheme for the [F341purposes of the Finance Act 2004] by virtue of Schedule 36 to that Act, or

(b)a scheme established on or after that date as a registered free-standing AVC scheme.

[F342(5) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136M.]

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Procedure for applications under regulation 100N.I.

101.—(1) An application under regulation 100—

(a)must be made in writing,

(b)must specify the scheme or arrangement from which the transfer value payment is to be made and the anticipated amount of the payment,

[F343(c)may only be made—

(i)during the period of one year beginning with the day on which the applicant becomes eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme and before the applicant reaches the age of 65, or

(ii)where the applicant is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme and the application is made in respect of a transfer from a corresponding 2008 Scheme, during the period of one year beginning with the day on which the applicant becomes eligible to be an active member of the 2015 Scheme if on that day paragraph 2 of Schedule 7 to the 2014 Act applies to the period of service in respect of which the transfer value payment will be made,]

(d)if the Department so requires, may only be made if the member has first requested a statement—

(i)in the case of a transfer made under the public sector transfer arrangements, of the service that the member will be entitled to count as a result of the transfer if the payment is accepted by the Department, and

(ii)in a case where the transfer is not made under those arrangements [F344(including a transfer of rights from a corresponding 1995 scheme)] , of the service that member will be entitled so to count if the payment is so accepted by the Department within such period as is specified in the statement, and

(e)must meet such other conditions as the Department may require.

(2) A statement given to the member in pursuance of [F345such a] request as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(d)—

(a)in the case mentioned in paragraph (1)(d)(i), must inform the member of the effect (if any) of regulation 17 (restriction on reckonable pay used for calculating benefits in respect of capped transferred-in service) in the member's case, and

(b)in the case mentioned in paragraph (1)(d)(ii), must specify such amount as is calculated in accordance with guidance and tables provided by the Scheme actuary for the purpose.

[F346(3) A statement given to the member of a corresponding 1995 scheme in pursuance of such a request as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(d) must inform the member of the amount of pensionable service that will count under [F347this Section of] this Scheme for the purposes of—

(a)calculating benefits payable to or in respect of the member; and

(b)determining whether or not the member has reached 45 years of pensionable service for the purposes of regulations 7 and 8.]

Textual Amendments

Acceptance of transfer value paymentsN.I.

102.—(1) If an application is duly made by a member under regulation 100, the Department may accept the transfer value payment if such conditions as it may require are met, unless paragraph [F348(5)] applies.

(2) If the Department accepts the payment—

(a)the member is entitled to count the appropriate period of pensionable service for the purposes of calculating benefits payable to or in respect of the member under [F349this Section of] the Scheme, but

(b)in the case of a member any of whose service falls to be treated as capped transferred-in service, with such period as so falls counting as such service.

(3) In paragraph (2)(a) “the appropriate period” means the period calculated in accordance with regulation 103.

[F350(3A) If the Department accepts the payment from the member of a corresponding 1995 scheme, the relevant period of pensionable service shall count when determining whether or not the member has reached 45 years of pensionable service for the purposes of regulations 7 and 8.

(3B) In paragraph (3A) “the relevant period” means the period calculated in accordance with regulation 103.]

(4) For the meaning of “capped transferred-in service”, see regulation 104.

(5) The Department may not accept a transfer value payment if—

(a)it would be applied in whole or in part in respect of the member's or the member's spouse's entitlement to a guaranteed minimum pension, and

(b)it is less than the amount required for that purpose, as calculated in accordance with guidance and tables prepared by the Scheme actuary for the purposes of this paragraph.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply if the transfer would be paid under the public sector transfer arrangements.

[F351(7) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136M.]

Textual Amendments

Calculation of transferred-in pensionable serviceN.I.

103.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), the period of service that the member is entitled to count under regulation 102 as the result of a transfer is to be calculated in accordance with any guidance, tables and other relevant factors provided by the Scheme actuary for that purpose.

(2) For the purposes of the calculation under paragraph (1) the member's annual pensionable pay is to be taken to be the amount of that pay as at the day on which the member's pensionable service begins (“the starting day”), unless paragraph (3) applies.

(3) If the transfer payment is received by the Department more than 12 months after the starting day, the member's annual pensionable pay is to be taken to be the amount of that pay as at the day on which the transfer payment is received.

(4) But paragraph (3) does not apply if—

(a)a written statement estimating the pensionable service that the member would be entitled to count as a result of the transfer was given to the member by the Department during the period of 3 months ending 12 months after the starting day, and

(b)the transfer payment is received by the Department less than 3 months after the date of the statement.

(5) If the transfer value payment is accepted under the public sector transfer arrangements, the period of pensionable service the member is entitled to count is calculated—

(a)in accordance with those arrangements, and

(b)by reference to the guidance and tables provided by the Scheme actuary for the purposes of this paragraph, that are in use on the date that is used by the transferring scheme for calculating the transfer value payment.

(6) If the transfer value payment is accepted from a [F352corresponding 2008 scheme] , the period of pensionable service the member is entitled to count is the period that the member would be entitled to count if—

(a)the member's employment to which that scheme applied was HSC employment in respect of which the member was a member of [F353this Section of] the Scheme, and

(b)the member's contributions to that scheme were contributions to [F353this Section of] the Scheme.

F354(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F355(7) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136M.]

Textual Amendments

Meaning of “capped transferred-in service”N.I.

104.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)the Department accepts a transfer value payment in respect of a member under a transfer to which the public sector transfer arrangements apply, and

(b)the service in respect of which the transfer is made was, or included, capped service in employment to which the Scheme from which the transfer value payment is made (“the transferring scheme”) applied.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, the same proportion of the service that the member is entitled to count under regulation 102(2)(a) as the capped service bears to the whole of the service in respect of which the transfer is made is capped transferred-in service.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the service in respect of which the transfer is made was capped service so far as—

(a)in the case of service before 6th April 2006, the member was an active member of the transferring scheme whose pension under that scheme in respect of the service was to be calculated by reference to remuneration limited in each tax year to the permitted maximum for that year within the meaning of section 590C(2) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 M27, or

(b)in the case of service on or after 6th April 2006, the member was an active member of the transferring scheme whose pension under that scheme in respect of the service was to be calculated by reference to remuneration limited in each tax year to an amount calculated in the same manner as the permitted maximum under that section was calculated for tax years ending before that date.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), it does not matter whether, apart from the application of the limit, the member's remuneration in any tax year would have exceeded the amount of the limit.

[F356(5) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 136M.]

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

[F357Public sector transfer arrangementsN.I.

105.—(1) This Chapter applies to a transfer where—

(a)the member is an active member of the 2015 Scheme,

(b)the member makes an application under regulation 100 for a transfer value payment in respect of some or all of the rights that have accrued to or in respect of the member under—

(i)an existing scheme listed in Schedule 5 to the 2014 Act,

(iii)another occupational pension scheme that participates in the Public Sector Transfer Club,

(c)the application under regulation 100 is made within one year beginning with the day the member became eligible to be an active member of the 2015 Scheme and before the member reaches the member’s normal pension age in the 2015 Scheme,

(d)the transfer value payment is made and accepted under the public sector transfer arrangements, and

(e)on the day the transfer is completed, paragraph 2 of Schedule 7 to the 2014 Act applies to the period of service in respect of which the transfer value payment is made.

(2) This Chapter also applies in the case of any other transfer to which the public sector transfer arrangements apply (not being a transfer referred to in paragraph (1)) as it applies in other cases, except to the extent that—

(a)any provision in this Chapter provides otherwise, or

(b)the arrangements themselves make different provision.]

Textual Amendments

Bulk transfers outN.I.

106.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)the employment of one or more active members (“the transferring employees”) is transferred without their consent to a new employer,

(b)on that transfer the transferring employees cease to be eligible to be active members of [F358this Section of] the Scheme,

(c)after that transfer the transferring employees become active members of another occupational pension scheme (“the new employer's scheme”),

(d)the Department has agreed special terms for the making of transfer value payments in respect of the transferring employees to the new employer's scheme, after consultation with the Scheme actuary, and

(e)the transferring employees have consented in writing to their rights being transferred in accordance with those terms.

(2) In the case of the transferring members or the transferred members the transfer value payment to be paid—

(a)is not calculated in accordance with regulation 98, but

(b)is to be such amount as the Department determines to be appropriate in accordance with the special terms after consulting the Scheme actuary.

(3) This Chapter has effect with such modifications as are necessary to give effect to those terms.

(4) If the transfer is directly or indirectly attributable to a statutory provision this Chapter has effect with such modifications as the Department considers necessary in consequence of the transfer.

(5) Where a member to whom this regulation applies is also a member to whom Part 3 applies, a bulk transfer under this regulation also operates as a transfer of that member's rights under Part 3.

Textual Amendments

Bulk transfers inN.I.

107.—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)the employment of one or more persons (“the transferred employees”) is transferred without their consent to a new employer,

(b)on that transfer the transferred employees cease to be active members of an occupational pension scheme (“the former employer's scheme”),

(c)after that transfer the transferred employees become active members of [F359this Section of] the Scheme,

(d)the Department has agreed special terms for the acceptance of transfer value payments in respect of the transferred employees from the former employer's scheme, after consulting the Scheme actuary, and

(e)the transferred employees have consented in writing to their rights being transferred in accordance with those terms.

(2) [F360This Section of] the Scheme has effect with such modifications as are necessary to give effect to the terms mentioned in paragraph (1)(e).

(3) If the transfer is directly or indirectly attributable to a statutory provision [F360this Section of] the Scheme has effect with such modifications as the Department considers necessary in consequence of the transfer.

Textual Amendments

EU and other overseas transfersN.I.

108.—(1) This regulation applies in the case of a member whose transfer is subject to transfer arrangements concluded with any scheme for the provision of retirement benefits established outside the United Kingdom.

(2) The Scheme applies in relation to the member with such modifications as the Department considers necessary to comply with—

(a)the terms of those arrangements,

(b)any applicable provision contained in or made under any statutory provision, and

(c)the requirements to be met by a scheme registered under Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004.

[F361Transfers acrossN.I.

Textual Amendments

Transfers across from the [F3621995 Section] N.I.

108A.—(1) An active member who is entitled to have a cash equivalent value calculated in respect of the entirety of the member’s rights under the [F3631995 Section] , pursuant to regulation 59 of the 1995 Regulations, may apply to convert that cash equivalent value into rights under this [F364Section of the] Scheme.

(2) An application under paragraph (1)—

(a)must be made in writing using an application form provided for the purpose by the Department;

(b)may only be made before the end of the period of three months beginning with the guarantee date established under regulation 59 of the 1995 Regulations;

(c)may only be made if the member has first been furnished with a statement of the pensionable service that the member will be entitled to count under this [F365Section of the] Scheme if the application is accepted by the Department;

(d)must meet such other conditions as the Department may require; and

(e)is irrevocable.

(3) The statement mentioned in paragraph (2)(c) must—

(a)inform the member of the amount of pensionable service that will count under this [F366Section of the] Scheme for the purposes of calculating benefits payable to or in respect of the member;

(b)inform the member of the amount of pensionable service that will count under this [F366Section of the] Scheme when determining whether or not the member has reached 45 years of pensionable service for the purposes of regulations 7 and 8; and

(c)be calculated in accordance with any guidance, tables and other relevant factors provided by the Scheme actuary for that purpose.

(4) If the Department accepts an application under paragraph (1)—

(a)the member is entitled to count under this [F367Section of the] Scheme the periods of pensionable service mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (3) for the purposes specified therein; and

(b)those periods of pensionable service shall be credited to the member on the day that the Department received the member’s application.]

Textual Amendments

[F368Right to transfer a deferred pension to the 2015 SchemeN.I.

108B.—(1) An active member of the 2015 Scheme who meets both condition A and one of either condition B or condition C, may require the Department to use the cash equivalent of the member’s rights under this Section of the scheme to acquire rights in the 2015 Scheme: this is subject to the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) Condition A is that the member—

(a)is a deferred member of this Section of the Scheme, and

(b)became an active member of the 2015 Scheme before attaining the age of 65.

(3) Condition B is that the member has a break in pensionable employment for any one period of more than five years beginning with the day immediately following the cessation of the pensionable service in respect of which that person is a deferred member of this Section of the Scheme and ending on the day immediately before the person became an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with paragraph (2)(b).

(4) Condition C is that the member—

(a)has a break in active membership of the 2015 Scheme for any one period of more than five years which is the first break of such a period since that membership commenced, and

(b)has not previously had a break in pensionable employment before becoming an active member of the 2015 Scheme which would satisfy condition B.

(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (3) and (4) any break in active membership of this Section of the Scheme where the member was in pensionable public service as defined in paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 7 to the 2014 Act is to be disregarded.

(6) The Department shall provide a member to whom this regulation applies with a statement of the amount of the cash equivalent of the member’s benefits accrued in accordance with these Regulations at the guarantee date (“a statement of entitlement”).

(7) In this regulation “the guarantee date” means any date that falls within the required period and is—

(a)chosen by the Department,

(b)specified in the statement of entitlement, and

(c)within the period of 10 days ending with the date on which the member is provided with the statement of entitlement.

(8) In counting the period of 10 days referred to in paragraph (7)(c), Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday are excluded.

(9) In paragraph (7), “the required period” means—

(a)the period of three months beginning with the date that the Department receives notification from the member’s employing authority that the member has joined the 2015 Scheme; or

(b)such longer period beginning with that date (but not exceeding six months) as may be reasonably required if, for reasons beyond the control of the Department, the requisite information cannot be obtained to calculate the amount of the cash equivalent.

(10) Subject to paragraphs (11) to (13), the member’s guaranteed cash equivalent shall be equal to the capitalised value of all of the member’s rights to benefits accrued under these Regulations and any associated rights under Part I of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

(11) The Department shall—

(a)take advice from the Scheme Actuary before determining the factors to be used in the calculation of the member’s guaranteed cash equivalent, and

(a)calculate and verify the amount of the guaranteed cash equivalent in accordance with the Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.

(12) A member’s cash equivalent will be at least equal to the amount of any transfer payments accepted in respect of the member under regulation 102 (which deals with the crediting of additional service upon transfer), plus the amount of the member’s contributions to this section of the scheme.

(13) A member who has received a statement of entitlement in accordance with paragraph (6) may apply to the Department for the cash equivalent of the member’s rights under this section of the scheme to be used to acquire rights under the 2015 Scheme.

(14) An application under this regulation must be made in respect of each and every portion of the cash equivalent and is—

(a)to be made in writing on the form provided for this purpose by the Department;

(b)to be made before the end of the period of three months beginning with the guarantee date;

(c)irrevocable.

(15) On the making of such an application—

(a)member becomes entitled to be credited with an increase to the member’s pensionable earnings and a period of pensionable service in the 2015 Scheme in respect of the cash equivalent value of the member’s benefits under this section of the scheme calculated in accordance with regulation 144 of the 2015 Scheme, and

(b)the member’s rights under this section of the scheme are extinguished on the day that the member is credited with an increase to the member’s pensionable earnings and a period of pensionable service in accordance with regulation 144 of the 2015 Scheme.

(16) A member’s right to require the Department to use the cash equivalent of the member’s rights in the way referred to in paragraph (1) may only be exercised once.]

Textual Amendments

CHAPTER 7N.I.RE-EMPLOYMENT AND REJOINING [F369this Section of] THE SCHEME

Textual Amendments

PreliminaryN.I.

Application of Chapter 7N.I.

109.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (4) to (7), this Chapter applies to persons who—

(a)have been active members of [F370this Section of] the Scheme in respect of their service in an employment,

(b)have ceased to be employed in that employment and have become deferred members or pensioner members of [F370this Section of] the Scheme because of their rights in respect of that service,

(c)become employed again in an employment that qualifies them to belong to [F370this Section of] the Scheme, and

(d)become active members of [F370this Section of] the Scheme in respect of their service in that employment.

(2) In these regulations a member to whom this Chapter applies is referred to as a “re-employed member”.

(3) In this Chapter, in relation to any re-employed member—

(a)the service referred to in paragraph (1)(a) is referred to as “the earlier service”, and

(b)the service referred to in paragraph (1)(d) is referred to as “the later service”.

(4) This Chapter also applies to members who—

(a)cease to be active members in respect of their service in an employment as the result of exercising the option under regulation 25, and

(b)later become active members in that or another employment,

as it applies to members who cease to be employed in the employment in which they are active members, and paragraph (3) must be read accordingly.

(5) This Chapter does not apply if the earlier service and the later service are treated as a single continuous period of pensionable service under regulation 9(5) (pensionable service: breaks in service).

(6) Regulation 112 applies whether or not the employment mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) is employment that qualifies the member to belong to [F371this Section of] the Scheme.

(7) Regulation 114 (deferred pension becoming payable during HSC re-employment as a result of a transfer of undertaking) applies whether or not the deferred member becomes an active member in the HSC employment in which the deferred member is re-employed.

(8) If a re-employed member ceases to be an active member again, this Chapter applies again in respect of the later service as if it were the earlier service (and so on).

Textual Amendments

General rule: separate treatment of service etc except where unfavourable to memberN.I.

General rule: separate treatment of service etcN.I.

110.—(1) The general rule is that, in accordance with regulations 65 and 91—

(a)the re-employed member's pensionable service in respect of the earlier service and the later service are treated separately, and

(b)the re-employed member's reckonable pay in respect of the earlier service and the later service is determined separately.

(2) This regulation is subject to the provisions mentioned in regulations 65(4) and 91(5).

Exception to general rule in regulation 110N.I.

111.—(1) The general rule in regulation 110 does not apply if—

(a)at the time that the member first becomes entitled to a pension under [F372this Section of] the Scheme in respect of the earlier service or the later service, or

(b)if it is earlier, at the time of the member's death,

in the opinion of the Department the benefits payable to or in respect of the member would be more valuable if that general rule were disregarded.

(2) Accordingly, in a case within paragraph (1)—

(a)the member's pensionable service in respect of the earlier service and the later service are treated as one single continuous period,

(b)the member's qualifying service in respect of the earlier service and the later service are each treated as one single continuous period,

(c)the member is not treated as a deferred member in respect of the earlier service, and

(d)the member's reckonable pay in respect of the later period may be determined by reference to the earlier period as well as the later period (as a result of regulation 15(8)).

(3) This regulation is subject to regulation 114.

Textual Amendments

Special rules about re-employment of ill-health pensionersN.I.

Effect of re-employment on tier 2 ill-health pensionsN.I.

112.—(1) This regulation applies if a member who is entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 in respect of earlier service—

(a)did not opt to exchange that pension for a lump sum in accordance with regulation 59, and

(b)has re-entered employment (the “further employment”).

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the member ceases to be entitled to the tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52, and becomes entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under that regulation.

(3) In a case where the further employment is—

(a)not HSC employment, and

(b)an excluded employment,

paragraph (2) does not apply.

(4) In a case where the further employment is—

(a)HSC employment, and

(b)an excluded employment

paragraph (2) does not apply during the initial period.

(5) As regards a further employment in HSC employment—

(a)paragraph (2) applies from the first tier 1 ill-health pension payment date which falls after the first anniversary of the member's re-entry into HSC employment, whether or not that day is part of a continuous period of further HSC employment beginning with entry into that employment, and

(b)the member may not rejoin the Scheme in respect of that employment or any other HSC employment until after the first anniversary of the member's re-entry into HSC employment, whether or not that or any other HSC employment is an excluded employment.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)an employment is an excluded employment at any time in a tax year, in relation to a member, if the member's earnings at that time for the purposes of national insurance from the employment and any other employments are such that the lower earnings limit for that year is not exceeded,

(b)for the purposes of paragraph (2) an employment that has been an excluded employment in a tax year is not treated as ceasing to be such an employment until the first day following the end of the pension pay period for the tier 2 ill-health pension in which the limit described in sub-paragraph (a) is first exceeded, and

(c)“the initial period” means the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member first enters an employment which results in this regulation applying.

(7) A member who, before attaining the age of 65, has ceased to be entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under paragraph (2), and who—

(a)is in further HSC employment and ceases to be employed at all during the initial period, or

(b)is in further employment that is not HSC employment and ceases to be employed in that further employment within a period of one year beginning with the day on which that further employment ceased to be an excluded employment,

may apply to the Department under this paragraph to become entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension.

(8) An application under paragraph (7)—

(a)where paragraph (7)(a) applies, must—

(i)state that the member has ceased to be employed at all,

(ii)be made within the initial period,

(iii)be made in writing and be accompanied by evidence from a registered medical practitioner that the member meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a);

(b)where paragraph (7)(b) applies, must—

(i)state that the member has ceased to be employed at all,

(ii)be made within a period of one year beginning with the day on which that employment ceased to be an excluded employment,

(iii)be made in writing and be accompanied by evidence from a registered medical practitioner that the member meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a).

(9) If on an application under paragraph (7) the Department is satisfied that the member meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a), from the day following that on which the member's last employment ceased—

(a)the member ceases to be entitled to the tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 52, and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under that regulation in respect of the earlier service.

(10) A member who falls within paragraph (1) must—

(a)notify the Department if the member is in HSC employment at the end of the initial period,

(b)notify the Department if the member's aggregate earnings for the purposes of national insurance from employments held in a tax year are such that the lower earnings limit for that year is exceeded,

(c)provide the Department or any other person specified by the Department with such further information as the Department specifies concerning any further employment.

(11) This regulation is subject to regulation 113 (re-employed tier 1 ill-health pensioners).

Re-employed tier 1 ill-health pensionersN.I.

113.—(1) This regulation applies to re-employed members who are entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 52 in respect of the earlier service.

(2) For the purposes of determining whether a member can count 45 years of pensionable service for any purpose, the earlier service and the later service are aggregated.

(3) If the re-employed member became entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension for the earlier service, and on the termination of the later service the member becomes entitled to—

(a)a tier 1 ill-health pension, or

(b)a tier 2 ill-health pension,

under regulation 52 in respect of the later service, the re-employed member is entitled to the benefits set out in paragraph (4).

(4) The benefits mentioned in paragraph (3) are—

(a)the member's original tier 1 ill-health pension in respect of his earlier service, and

(b)a tier 1 or, as the case may be, tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of the later service.

[F373This is subject to paragraph (5).]

[F374(5) If the re-employed member—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension in respect of the earlier service;

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of that earlier service in accordance with regulation 53(3); and

(c)on the termination of the later service, the member becomes entitled to a tier 1 or, as the case may be, tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of that later service,

the re-employed member is entitled to the benefits set out in paragraph (6).]

Textual Amendments

Special rule for members transferred out on transfer of undertakingN.I.

Deferred pension becoming payable during HSC re-employment as a result of a transfer of undertakingN.I.

114.—(1) This regulation applies if a re-employed member becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 45 or 48 by virtue of the application of regulation 57(2)(a) (transfer of undertaking to employing authority).

(2) Regulation 111 does not apply.

(3) Accordingly, subject to paragraph (4), any benefits payable in respect of the later service are calculated without regard to pensionable service in respect of the earlier service.

(4) For the purposes of determining whether a member can count 45 years pensionable service for any purpose, the earlier service and the later service are aggregated.

CHAPTER 8N.I.ABATEMENT

Application of Chapter 8N.I.

115.—(1) This Chapter applies if—

(a)a person who is a pensioner member of [F375this Section of] the Scheme is employed in HSC employment,

(b)the person's employment is not employment to which the person was transferred as a result of a transfer of an undertaking to the person's employer,

(c)the person's pension is a pension under—

(i)regulation 52 (early retirement on ill-health: active members),

(ii)regulation 54 (early retirement on ill-health: deferred members), or

(iii)regulation 55(1)(d)(ii) (early retirement on termination of employment by employing authority) in a case where the Department certified that the member's employment was terminated in the interests of the efficiency of the service in which the member was employed, and

(d)the person has not reached the age of 65.

(2) In this Chapter “HSC employment” includes—

(a)employment to which regulations made under sections 10 (1) and (2) and 12 (1) and (2) of, and Schedule 3 to, the Superannuation Act 1972 apply,

(b)employment with an employer in respect of whom a direction has been made under section 7 of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 M28,

(c)employment to which regulations made under section 10 of the Superannuation Act 1972 M29 and having effect in Scotland apply,

(d)employment [F376commencing on or before 31st March 2012] to which a scheme made under section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1984 (an Act of Tynwald) applies,

(e)employment with an employer with whom an agreement has been made under section 235 of the National Health Service Act 2006.

(3) In this Chapter, subject to paragraph (4)—

(a)a person to whom this Chapter applies is referred to as an “employed pensioner”,

(b)the pension to which the employed pensioner is entitled is referred to as the “old service pension”,

(c)the employment in respect of which the pension is payable is referred to as “the old employment”, and

(d)the employment in which the employed pensioner is employed is referred to as the “new employment”.

(4) This Chapter applies whether or not the person is an active member of [F377this Section of] the Scheme in the new employment.

F378(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

InformationN.I.

[F379116.—(1) A person who becomes an employed pensioner must—

(a)inform the person’s employer in the new employment and any other person that the Department may specify that the old service pension is payable; and

(b)where requested, provide any information about their relevant income in the new employment to the Department or to any other person that the Department may specify.

(2) A person who ceases to be an employed pensioner in one new employment and becomes an employed pensioner in another new employment must—

(a)inform the person’s employer in the other new employment, and any other person that the Department may specify, that the old service pension is payable; and

(b)where requested, provide any information about their relevant income in the other new employment to the Department or to any person that the Department may specify.]

Textual Amendments

Reduction of pensionN.I.

117.—(1) If the condition in paragraph (2) is met, the amount of the old service pension for any [F380financial year] is reduced.

(2) The condition is that the employed pensioner's relevant income for the [F381financial year] exceeds the employed pensioner's previous pay.

(3) The amount of the reduction under paragraph (1) is equal to that excess but cannot exceed the enhancement amount.

(4) For the meaning of “relevant income” and “enhancement amount” see regulation 118.

(5) For the meaning of “previous pay” see regulation 119.

[F382(6) For the purpose of calculating the reduction to be made under paragraph (1) in respect of any part of a financial year, the amount of the member’s previous pay will be reduced proportionately.]

F382(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) If the member has a guaranteed minimum under section 10 of the 1993 Act in relation to the old service pension, nothing in this regulation requires the reduction of the old service pension below the amount of the member's guaranteed minimum in relation to it.

Textual Amendments

Meaning of “relevant income”N.I.

118.—(1) The employed pensioner's relevant income for a [F383financial year] is the aggregate of—

(a)the amount of pay received by the employed pensioner during that year from the new employment (assuming, in any case where the employed pensioner is not an active member of [F384this Section of] the Scheme in the new employment, that the employed pensioner is such a member), and

(b)the enhancement amount in relation to the old service pension.

(2) The enhancement amount, in relation to an old service pension, is the difference between—

(a)the amount of that pension for that year, and

(b)the amount that that pension would have been had it been payable under regulation 48.

(3) If the old service pension is payable under regulation 52 or 54 (ill-health pensions) to an employed pensioner who had not reached the age of 55 at the time when entitlement to the pension arose, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b)—

(a)the fact that entitlement to a pension under regulation 48 depends on reaching that age is ignored, but

(b)the employed person's actual age at the relevant time is taken into account in determining the reduction to be made under regulation 48(2).

(4) If the old service pension is a tier 2 ill-health pension, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), only the employed pensioner's actual pensionable service at the time when entitlement to the pension arose is taken into account in determining the amount that would have been payable under regulation 48.

(5) If the employed pensioner exercised the option under regulation 58 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum) in relation to the old service pension, the resulting reduction in the pension is ignored for the purposes of this regulation.

[F385(6) The resulting reduction in the pension is taken into account for the purposes of this regulation if the employed pensioner—

(a)exercised the option under regulation 62 in relation to the old service pension; or

(b)is a 2008 Section Optant who was entitled to a lump sum under regulation 136L in relation to the old service pension.]

(7) References in this regulation to the amount of a pension for any [F386financial year] are to its amount for that year after any increases payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 in respect of that pension, including the increases that would have been payable in respect of any amount not paid because of a reduction ignored under paragraph (5).

Textual Amendments

Meaning of “previous pay”: generalN.I.

119.—(1) For the purposes of this Chapter an employed pensioner's previous pay, subject to paragraph (3) and [F387regulations 120 and 121] (members with concurrent employments) is the greater of—

(a)the employed pensioner's reckonable pay for the purposes of the old service pension, and

(b)the annual rate of pay for the old employment at the time it ceased.

(2) In this regulation “annual rate of pay” means the sum of—

(a)the annual rate of so much of the employed pensioner's pensionable pay immediately before the old service pension became payable as consisted of—

(i)salary,

(ii)wages, or

(iii)other regular payments,

of a fixed nature, and

(b)so much of any fees and other regular payments not of a fixed nature as—

(i)was payable to the employed pensioner during the period of 12 months ending with the day the old employment ceased, and

(ii)formed part of the employed pensioner's pensionable pay.

(3) Subject to regulation 120, the amount to be taken as the employed pensioner's previous pay must be adjusted in each [F388financial year] for inflation.

(4) The reference in paragraph (3) to adjusting that amount in each [F389financial year] for inflation is to increasing it by the same amount as that by which an annual pension equal to that amount would have been increased under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 at 6th April in that [F389financial year] if—

(a)that pension was eligible to be so increased, and

(b)the beginning date for that pension were the same as the beginning date for the old service pension.

(5) In this regulation “the beginning date”, in relation to a pension, means the date on which it is treated as beginning for the purposes of section 8(2) of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

Textual Amendments

Meaning of “previous pay”: members with concurrent employmentsN.I.

120.—(1) In the case of an employed pensioner who held one or more other HSC employments at the same time as the old employments, the amount to be taken as the employed pensioner's previous pay is the sum of—

(a)the amount of the employed pensioner's previous pay, in accordance with regulation 119, and

(b)in respect of any of the other HSC employments which are held in the [F390financial year] mentioned in regulation 117(2), the annual rate of pay for that employment in that [F390financial year] , and

(c)in respect of any of the other HSC employments which are not held in the [F390financial year] mentioned in 117(2), the pensionable pay for that employment for the period of 12 months ending with the day before the old employment ceased or, if the employed pensioner was not a member of the Scheme in that employment in that period, the amount that would have been the pensionable pay for it assuming that the employed pensioner had been such a member.

(2) The amount to be taken as the employed pensioner's previous pay in accordance with paragraph (1) must be adjusted in each [F390financial year] for inflation in the manner set out in regulation [F391119(4)] .

Textual Amendments

Application of this Chapter to part-time employmentN.I.

121.—(1) This regulation provides for the application of this Chapter where the old employment or the new employment is a part-time employment.

[F392(2) The amount of the employed pensioner’s reckonable pay for the purposes of the old service pension, as referred to in regulation 119(1)(a), shall be determined without reference to regulation 18 or 19 (reckonable pay for non-concurrent and concurrent part-time workers).]

Textual Amendments

Employed pensioners with more than one pensionN.I.

122.—(1) This regulation provides for the application of this Chapter where a person is entitled to more than one old service pension falling within regulation 115(1)(c) in any [F393financial year] .

(2) In regulation 117—

(a)for paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute—

“(1) If the condition in paragraph (2) is met, the amount of the old service pensions for any [F393financial year] is reduced.

(2) The condition is that the employed pensioner's relevant income for the [F393financial year] exceeds the employed pensioner's previous pay for all the old employments.

(2A) The amount of the reduction under paragraph (1) in the case of each of the pensions is equal to the same proportion of that excess as the amount of the pension for the [F393financial year] before the reduction, bears to the sum of the pensions for that year before the reduction”.

(3) In regulation 118(1)(b) for “the old service pension” there shall be substituted “ all the old service pensions ”.

(4) Regulation 123 applies as if references to the old service pensions were references to all those pensions.

Textual Amendments

Provisional reductions and later adjustmentsN.I.

123.—(1) If it appears to the Department that the condition in regulation 117(2) will be met in any [F394financial year] in respect of the old service pension for that year, the Department may reduce the amount of that pension paid at any time in the [F394financial year] .

(2) Where the old service pension for a [F394financial year] is being reduced under this Chapter, the Department must review the amount of the reduction—

(a)at the end of the [F394financial year], and

(b)at any time during the [F394financial year] if it appears to the Department that—

(i)the amount of the reduction made for the year is or may become incorrect, or

(ii)no reduction should be made.

(3) If at any time during the [F394financial year] it so appears the Department must make such adjustments, whether by altering the amount of the reduction or by repaying to the employed pensioner any amount that should not have been deducted from the pension, as appear to the Department to be required.

(4) If at the end of the [F394financial year] it is apparent that—

(a)the reduction in the old service pension for the year was excessive, or

(b)no such reduction should have been made,

the Department must repay the amount due to the employed pensioner.

(5) If at the end of the [F394financial year] it is apparent that the old service pension paid for the year exceeded the amount due because the reduction in the old service pension required under regulation 117 was not made, the employed pensioner must repay the excess to the Department.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not affect the Department's right to recover a payment or overpayment in any case where the Department considers it appropriate to do so.

Textual Amendments

CHAPTER 9N.I.MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Scheme administratorN.I.

Appointment of scheme administratorN.I.

124.—(1) For the purposes of this Part and of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004, the Scheme administrator is the Department.

ClaimsN.I.

Claims for benefitsN.I.

[F395125.—(1) A person claiming to be entitled to benefits under this Part (“the claimant”) shall make a claim in writing to the Department.

(2) Pursuant to such a claim, the claimant and, where appropriate, the member’s employing authority (including any previous employing authority of the member) shall provide such—

(a)evidence of entitlement;

(b)information required in order to deal with the claim; and

(c)authority or permission as may be necessary for the release by third parties of information in their possession relating to the claimant or member,

as the Department may from time to time require for the purposes of this Part.

(3) A claim referred to in paragraph (1) may be made by a person or persons other than the claimant where the Department so provides.

(4) Any claim for benefit required in writing under this Part, and any evidence, information, authority or permission given in connection with that claim, may be made or given by means of an electronic communication where such method of communication is approved by the Department from time to time.

(5) In this regulation, “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.]

Textual Amendments

[F396Provision of information: continuing entitlement to benefitN.I.

125A—(1) The Department may specify a date by which a person who is in receipt of a benefit under this Section of the Scheme is to provide the Department with all or any of the following material—

(a)evidence of the person’s identity;

(b)the person’s contact details;

(c)evidence of the person’s continuing entitlement to the benefit.

(2) Where a person fails to provide the material referred to in paragraph (1) in accordance with that paragraph the Department may withhold all, or any part of, any benefit payable to that person.]

Textual Amendments

Power to extend time limitsN.I.

Power to extend time limitsN.I.

126.  The Department may extend any time limit mentioned in this Part as it applies in any particular case.

Beneficiaries who are incapable of looking after their affairsN.I.

Beneficiaries who are incapable of looking after their affairsN.I.

127.—(1) In the case of a beneficiary who, in the opinion of the Department, is by reason of illness, mental disorder, minority or otherwise unable to look after the beneficiary's affairs, the Department may—

(a)use any amount due to the beneficiary under the Scheme for the beneficiary's benefit, or

(b)pay it to some other person to do so.

(2) Payment of an amount to a person other than the beneficiary under paragraph (1) discharges the Department from any obligation under the Scheme in respect of the amount.

Commutation of small pensionsN.I.

Commutation of small pensionsN.I.

128.—(1) The Department may pay any person entitled to a pension under [F397this Section of] the Scheme a lump sum representing the capital value of the pension and of any benefits that might have become payable under [F397this Section of] the Scheme on the person's death apart from the payment if the conditions specified in paragraph (2) are met.

(2) The conditions are that the payment complies with the following requirements (in so far as they apply)—

(a)the contracting-out requirements,

(b)the preservation requirements,

(c)regulation 2 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M30,

F398(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)the lump sum rule (see, in particular, paragraph 7 of Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004: trivial commutation lump sums for the purposes of Part 4 of that Act), F399...

(f)the lump sum death benefit rule (see, in particular, paragraph 20 of that Schedule: trivial commutation lump sum death benefit for the purposes of that Part)[F400; and

(g)Regulation 12 of the Registered Pension Schemes (Authorised Payments) Regulations 2009 (payment by larger pension schemes).]

(3) The lump sum must be calculated by the Department in accordance with advice from the Scheme actuary.

(4) The payment of a lump sum under this regulation discharges all liabilities of the Department in respect of the pension in question and of any other such benefits as mentioned in paragraph (1).

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Reduction in and forfeiture of benefitsN.I.

Reduction in benefits in cases where loss caused by member's crime, negligence or fraudN.I.

129.—(1) If, as a result of a member's criminal, negligent or fraudulent act or omission, a loss to public funds occurs that arises out of or is connected with the member's employment relationship with the member's employer, the Department—

(a)may reduce any pension or other benefit payable to, or in respect of, the member under these Regulations by an amount less than or equal to the loss, or

(b)in a case where the loss equals or exceeds the value of the pension or other benefit, reduce them to nil or by any amount less than that value.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply so far as the pension or other benefit—

(a)is a guaranteed minimum pension or safeguarded rights which are derived from rights to such a pension, or

(b)arise out of a transfer payment.

(3) If the Department proposes to exercise the power under paragraph (1), the Department must give the member a certificate specifying the amount of the loss to public funds and of the reduction in benefits.

(4) If the amount of the loss is disputed, no reduction may be made under paragraph (1) until the member's obligation to make good the loss has become enforceable—

(a)under the order of a competent court, or

(b)in consequence of an award of an arbitrator.

(5) If the loss is suffered by an employing authority, the amount of any reduction under paragraph (1) must be paid to that authority.

Forfeiture of rights to benefitsN.I.

130.—(1) The Department may direct that all or part of any rights to benefits or other amounts payable to or in respect of a member under these Regulations be forfeited if—

(a)the member is convicted of any of the offences specified in paragraph (2), and

(b)the offence was committed before the benefit or other amount becomes payable.

(2) The offences are—

(a)an offence in connection with employment that qualifies the member to belong to [F401this Section of] the Scheme, in respect of which the Secretary of State has issued a forfeiture certificate,

(b)one or more offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 [F402, or under section 18 of, or listed in section 33(3)(a) of, the National Security Act 2023,] for which the member has been sentenced on the same occasion to—

(i)a term of imprisonment of at least 10 years, or

(ii)two or more consecutive terms amounting in aggregate to at least 10 years.

(3) In paragraph (2)(a) “forfeiture certificate” means a certificate that the Secretary of State is satisfied that the offence—

(a)has been gravely injurious to the State, or

(b)is liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service.

(4) The Department may direct that all or part of any rights to benefits or other amounts payable in respect of a member under these Regulations be forfeited where the benefits or amounts are payable to a person to whom paragraph (5) applies who has been convicted of the murder or manslaughter of that member or of any other offence of which unlawful killing of that member is an element.

(5) This paragraph applies to a person who is—

(a)the member's widow, widower, [F403surviving scheme partner] or surviving civil partner,

(b)a dependant of the member,

(c)a person not falling within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) who is specified in a notice given under regulation 87(3) [F404or (10)] , or

(d)a person to whom such benefits or amounts are payable under the member's will or on the member's intestacy.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), a guaranteed minimum pension or safeguarded rights which are derived from rights to such pensions may be forfeited only if paragraph (1) applies in the case of an offence within paragraph (2)(b).

(7) This regulation is without prejudice to section 2 of the Forfeiture Act 1870 M31 (under which forfeiture is required in cases of treason, subject to whole or partial restoration under section 9(2) of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 M32).

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Provisions about taxN.I.

Deduction of taxN.I.

131.—(1) The Department may deduct from any payment under [F405this Section of] the scheme any tax which is required to be paid in respect of it.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), if a person becoming entitled to a benefit under this Part—

(a)is a benefit crystallisation event under section 216 of the Finance Act 2004, and

(b)a lifetime allowance charge under section 214 of that Act arises when that event occurs,

the tax charged must be paid by the Scheme administrator.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies if—

(a)a member has given the scheme administrator a statement in accordance with regulation 87 (tax treatment under the Finance Act 2004 of lump sums payable on pensioners' death) that a lump sum payable under that regulation is to be treated as a pension protection lump sum death benefit in accordance with paragraph 14 of Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004, and

(b)has not withdrawn that statement.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), when the lump sum is paid, the scheme administrator may deduct the tax payable under section 206 of that Act (special lump sum death benefits charge) from the lump sum.

[F406(5) Paragraph (6) applies if—

(a)a lump sum death benefit is payable on the death of a pensioner member in accordance with paragraph (2) of regulation 83 (Amount of lump sum: single capacity members and recent leavers (disregarding regulation 49 employments)); and

(b)that lump sum is payable in respect of a member who had reached the age of 75 at the date of the member’s death.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), when the lump sum is paid, the Department may deduct the tax payable under section 206 of the Finance Act 2004 (special lump sum benefits charge).

(7) Paragraph (8) applies if—

(a)an active, non-contributing or pension credit member opts to exchange a relevant pension for a lump sum in accordance with paragraph (3)(a) of regulation 59 (Option for members in serious ill-health to exchange whole pension for lump sum); and

(b)that lump sum payment is made to a member who has reached the age of 75.

(8) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), when the lump sum is paid, the Department may deduct the tax payable under section 205A of the Finance Act 2004 (serious ill-health lump sum charge).]

[F407(9) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), a person who—

(a)is liable for an annual allowance charge in accordance with section 237A of the 2004 Act, and

(b)meets the conditions specified in paragraph (1) of section 237B of that Act,

may give notice in writing to the Department specifying that the Department and that person are to be jointly and severally liable for the payment of the annual allowance charge due in respect of that person in accordance with section 237B of the 2004 Act.

(10) Unless the Department’s liability for an annual allowance charge referred to in paragraph (9) is discharged in accordance with section 237D of the 2004 Act—

(a)that annual allowance charge will be paid by the Department on behalf of the member, and

(b)that person’s present or future benefits in respect of which that charge arises shall be adjusted in accordance with section 237E of the 2004 Act and shall be calculated by reference to advice provided by the Scheme Actuary for that purpose.]

Textual Amendments

Interest on delayed paymentsN.I.

Interest on late payment of benefits and refunds of contributionsN.I.

132.—(1) This regulation applies if the whole or part of an amount to which this regulation applies is not paid by the end of the period of one month beginning with the due date.

(2) This regulation applies to any amount payable by way of a pension, lump sum or refund of contributions under [F408this Section of] the Scheme (other than any amount due under regulation 31 or 32) or interim [F409or substitute] award.

[F410(3) The Department must pay interest on the amount of a pension, lump sum, refund of contributions or an interim or substitute award which is unpaid (“the unpaid amount”) to the person to whom it should have been paid unless the Department is satisfied that the unpaid amount was not paid on the due date because of some act or omission on the part of the member or other person to whom it should have been paid.]

(4) The interest on the unpaid amount is calculated at the base rate on a day to day basis from the due date for the amount to the date of its payment and compounded with three-monthly rests.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, except where paragraph (6) applies, “due date”, in relation to an unpaid amount [F411(other than an unpaid amount in respect of an interim or substitute award)] , means—

(a)in the case of an amount in respect of a pension or lump sum payable to a member under Chapter 4 (members' retirement benefits) [F412or a lump sum under regulation 136L] , the day immediately following that of the member's retirement from pensionable employment,

(b)in the case of an amount in respect of a pension payable on a member's death [F413, other than a pension payable under regulation 86A (Pension payable when member dies on or after reaching age 75)] , the day after the date of death,

(c)in the case of an amount in respect of a lump sum under Chapter 5 (death benefits) that is payable to the member's personal representatives, the earlier of—

(i)the date on which probate or letters of administration were produced to the Department, and

(ii)the date on which the Department was satisfied that the lump sum may be paid as provided in regulation 87(9), and

(d)in the case of an amount in respect of any other lump sum under that Chapter, the day after the date of the member's death, and

(e)in the case of an amount in respect of a refund of contributions, the day after that on which the Department received from Her Majesty's Commissioners of Revenue and Customs the information required for the purposes of calculating the amount to be subtracted under regulation 44(3) or (4)[F414; and

(f)in the case of an amount in respect of a pension under regulation 86A that is payable to—

(i)

the member’s personal representatives, the date on which probate or letters of administration were produced to the Department,

(ii)

any person or body to whom the pension has been assigned by the member’s personal representatives, the date on which the notice under regulation 87(10) was received by the Department, and

(iii)

any person or body other than those referred to in heads (i) and (ii), the day immediately following the day of the member’s death.]

[F415(6) The due date for an unpaid amount—

(a)referred to in paragraph (5) in respect of which the Department was not in possession of all the information necessary for the calculation of the amount of the pension, lump sum or refund of contributions referred to in that paragraph on the date which would, in accordance with paragraph (5) be the due date;

(b)in respect of an interim or substitute award,

shall be the first day on which the Department was in possession of all the information necessary to calculate that pension, lump sum, refund of contributions or interim or substitute award.]

(7) In this regulation, “ [F416interim or substitute award] ” means—

(a)any amount paid by way of an interim payment calculated by reference to an expected benefit under [F417this Section of] the Scheme pending final calculation of the full value of that benefit, F418...

(b)any amount paid that increases the amount of an earlier payment due to a backdated or subsequent increase in pensionable pay[F419; and

(c)any amount paid that increases the amount of an earlier payment due to the payment of a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 paid to a member in substitution for a tier 1 ill-health pension under that regulation following a determination by the Department under regulation 53.]

Textual Amendments

[F420Interest and Administration Charges: Late paid contributionsN.I.

132A.—(1) For the purposes of this regulation, where an employing authority fails to pay, by the dates therein specified, contributions it is required to pay under any or all of regulations 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, or 37 there is a chargeable event.

(2) Where there is a chargeable event, the Department may determine what amount of contributions are unpaid having regard to—

(a)the amount of contributions historically paid at a chargeable event by that employing authority;

(b)any reasons or explanation provided by the employing authority for the change in the amount of contributions (if any) it has paid at such an event;

(c)any other factors that the Department considers relevant.

(3) Where there is a chargeable event, the employing authority is liable to pay standard rate interest on the amount of unpaid contributions constituting that event and an administration charge in respect of each such event.

(4) Where the Department becomes aware of a chargeable event, the Department shall give the employing authority a written notice specifying—

(a)the date of the chargeable event;

(b)the amount of unpaid contributions determined under paragraph (2);

(c)the amount of interest at the standard rate payable in respect of that event;

(d)the amount of administration charge payable in respect of it;

(e)that payment of the amounts referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d) is to be made within 1 month of the date of the notice and that failure to do so incurs further interest and administration charges.

(5) Any amount payable by way of interest or payable by way of an administration charge is to be paid as single lump sum unless the Department considers the case to be exceptional and considers it appropriate for all, or part, of such an amount to be paid over a period and by a number of instalments, determined by the Department.

(6) Where the Department considers the case to be exceptional, nothing in the preceding paragraphs prevents the Department from waiving all or any part of the amount of interest, or all or any administration charges, payable.

(7) In the case of arrears in respect of the scheme year 2015-16 and subsequent years, the standard rate of interest is the aggregate of the percentage (if any) by which the consumer prices index for the February before the scheme year in which the chargeable event arose is higher than it was for the previous February plus 3%, compounded at annual intervals.

(8) The administration charge in respect of arrears in respect of the scheme year 2015-2016 and subsequent years is £75.

(9) In any particular case the Department may direct that, for the purposes of this regulation, “employing authority” includes one or more of, a successor, transmittee or assignee of an employing authority’s business or functions.]

Textual Amendments

Determination of questionsN.I.

Determination of questionsN.I.

133.—(1) Except as otherwise provided by this Part, any question arising under the Scheme is to be determined by the Department.

(2) Any such disagreement as is referred to in Article 50 of the 1995 Order (resolution of disputes) must be resolved by the Department in accordance with any arrangements applicable under that Article.

General prohibition on unauthorised paymentsN.I.

General prohibition on unauthorised paymentsN.I.

134.  Nothing in these [F421Regulations] requires or authorises the making of any payment, which, if made, would be an unauthorised payment for the purposes of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004 (see section 160(5) of that Act).

Textual Amendments

Prohibition on assignment or charging of benefitsN.I.

Prohibition on assignment or charging of benefitsN.I.

135.—(1) Any assignment of, or charge on, or any agreement to assign or charge, any right to a benefit under [F422this Section of] the Scheme is void.

(2) On the bankruptcy of any person entitled to a benefit under [F422this Section of] the scheme, no part of the benefit may be paid to the person's trustee in bankruptcy or other person acting on behalf of the creditors, except in accordance with an order under Article 283 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 M33 (income payments orders).

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

M331989/2405 (N.I. 19)

Record keeping and contribution estimatesN.I.

[F423Employing authority and certain member record keeping and contribution estimatesN.I.

136.—(1) As regards a member who is a non-GP provider who derives practitioner income from the contracts, agreements or payments referred to in regulation 13(6), in respect of each scheme year, the member shall provide each relevant host Board with a certificate of their pensionable earnings based on—

(a)the accounts drawn up in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice by the practice of which the member is a member; and

(b)the return that member has made to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in respect of their earnings for that year,

no later than 1 month after the date on which that return was required to be submitted to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

[F424(2) As regards a GMS practice or an APMS contractor, in respect of each scheme year, the practice or contractor must provide the Department with a statement of estimated pensionable earnings in respect of any non-GP provider that is a GMS practice or APMS contractor or who assists in the provision of HSC services provided by that GMS practice or APMS contractor, at least 1 month before the beginning of that scheme year.]

(3) If, in respect of a scheme year, a non-GP provider has failed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1), the non-GP provider’s pensionable earnings for that scheme year shall be zero [F425and no contributions paid in respect of that scheme year are to be refunded] .

  • This is subject to paragraph (4).

(4) If, in respect of a scheme year—

(a)a non-GP provider has failed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1);

(b)a benefit is payable for, or in respect of their non-GP provider service; and

(c)the non-GP provider’s employing authority is in possession of a figure representing all or part of the non-GP provider’s pensionable earnings for that year,

the Department may treat that figure as the amount of the non-GP provider’s pensionable earnings for that year.

(5) If, in respect of a scheme year, a non-GP provider—

(a)dies without complying with the requirements of paragraph (1); or

(b)is, in the opinion of the Department, unable to look after the non-GP provider’s own affairs by reason of illness or lack of capacity,

the Department may require that non-GP provider’s personal representatives to provide the relevant certificate—

(i)within the period referred to in paragraph (1), or

(ii)within such other period as the Department should permit.

[F426(6) An employing authority must, in respect of a person, keep a record of all—

(a)contributions paid under regulations 27, 34 or 36;

(b)contributions due under regulations 27, 34 or 36, but unpaid;

(c)contributions paid under regulation 31;

(d)contributions due under regulation 31, but unpaid;

(e)hours or sessions referred to in regulation 8;

(f)pensionable pay, or in the case of a non-GP provider, pensionable earnings;

(g)absences from work referred to in regulation 9;

(h)commencements and terminations of pensionable employment;

(i)reasons for terminations of pensionable employment.

(7) That record is to be in a manner approved by the Department.

(8) Except where the Department waives such requirement, an employing authority must provide a composite statement in respect of the matters referred to in paragraph (6) in respect of all scheme members to the Department within 2 months of the end of each scheme year.

(9) Where an employing authority has provided the information in accordance with paragraph (8) and there is then a change to any of the information provided, that employing authority must, within 1 month of the change, provide the Department with the revised information.

(10) In respect of each scheme year an employing authority shall, within 2 months of a request and in a manner prescribed by the Department, provide the Department with details of the total contributions paid for all scheme members under regulations 27, 31 and 34.

(11) Where an employing authority has provided the information requested pursuant to paragraph (10) and there is a revision to the total contributions paid, that employing authority must, within 1 month of the change, provide the Department with the revised total.

(12) In respect of each scheme year an employing authority shall, no later than 1 month before the beginning of that scheme year, and in a manner prescribed by the Department, provide the Department with a statement of estimated total contributions due under regulations 27, 31 and 34.

(13) A person lacks capacity in relation to a matter if at the material time he is unable to make a decision for himself in relation to the matter because of an impairment or of a disturbance in the functioning of his mind or brain.]]

Textual Amendments

[F427Benefit information statementsN.I.

136ZA.—(1) The Department must provide a benefit information statement to each member in accordance with—

(a)section 14 (Information about benefits) of the 2014 Act; and

(b)any Department of Finance and Personnel directions given from time to time pursuant to that section.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not provide a right for a member to request a benefit information statement.

(3) The Department is only required to provide a member with one benefit statement per scheme year.

(4) A benefit information statement provided pursuant to paragraph (1) is to be treated as though it is the information mentioned in regulation 16(2)(a) of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 for the purposes of determining whether or not information must be given under regulation 16(1) of those Regulations.]

Textual Amendments

[F428CHAPTER 10N.I.2008 Section Optants

Textual Amendments

Application of Chapter 10 of this PartN.I.

(1) This Chapter makes provision in relation to persons who are active members of the 1995 Section on or after 1st October 2009 and who opt to become members of this Section of the Scheme on the basis set out in this Chapter, including persons who—

(a)return to HSC employment in respect of which there is a liability to pay contributions to the scheme in accordance with regulation 10 of the 1995 Regulations (Contributions by members) within a period of less than 5 years beginning with the day on which they last left such employment (whether or not that period includes 1st October 2009);

(b)become members of the 1995 Section (whether for the first time or for a second or subsequent time having previously been a member of that Section) in accordance with regulation 7(3) of the 1995 Regulations (Restrictions on membership).

[F429(c)both—

(i)became entitled to a pension under regulation 14 or 14A of the 1995 Regulations (which deal with an early retirement pension on the grounds of redundancy and an early retirement pension on termination of employment by employing authority, respectively) on leaving employment with one employing authority, and

(ii)elected to continue to be an active member of the 1995 Section in respect of any other continuing pensionable employment in accordance with paragraph (6) of regulation 77 of those Regulations (Members doing more than one job).]

  • This Chapter does not apply to persons if—

    (i)

    that person is an active member of the 1995 Section by virtue of regulation 13(11) of the 1995 Regulations (Early retirement pension (ill health)), or

    (ii)

    that member is a former member of a corresponding 1995 scheme and the administrators of that scheme have confirmed that the person did not elect to join the relevant corresponding 2008 scheme when offered the opportunity to do so.

(2) In these Regulations a member of this Section of the Scheme to whom this Chapter applies is referred to as a “2008 Section Optant”.

Textual Amendments

Options for 1995 Section members to join this Section of the Scheme under Chapter 10 of this PartN.I.

(1) A person who by virtue of that person’s employment—

(a)was an active member of the 1995 Section—

(i)on, or after, 1st October 2009, and

(ii)on the day that person’s option to join this Section of the Scheme was received by the Department; and

(b)would be eligible to join this Section of the Scheme if that person met the condition in regulation 21(3)(a) (which requires that the person’s employment began on or after 1st April 2008),

may join this Section of the Scheme under the terms of this Chapter.

(2) A person who satisfies the conditions in paragraph (1) may only join this Section of the Scheme if that person opts to do so.

(3) The option may only be exercised by giving notice in writing to the Department—

(a)in such form as the Department requires; and

(b)before the date the Department specifies for that purpose in the comparative statement of benefits under the 1995 Section and the 2008 Section of the Scheme issued to that person (“the comparative statement”).

  • This is subject to paragraphs (4) and (9) and regulation 136S.

(4) For the purpose of paragraph (3)—

(a)the date specified by the Department in the comparative statement shall be a date that is at least four months later than the comparative statement issue date; and

(b)the notice shall be—

(i)irrevocable, and

(ii)treated as having been given on the date on which it is received by the Department.

(5) The option shall be effective from the first day of the member’s superannuable employment in the 1995 Section falling on or after 1st April 2008, and—

(a)the person shall be treated as if that person had been a member of this Section of the Scheme from that date;

(b)the member’s service both for the purpose of ascertaining entitlement to, and calculation of, benefits under the 1995 Section shall count under this Section of the Scheme only to the extent that it would have counted had the member been an active member of this Section of the Scheme from that date.

  • This is subject to paragraph (12).

(6) If contributions due from the member under Chapter 3 of this Part in respect of any periods beginning on or after 1st April 2008 are not made when they are due because of the time when the option is exercised, the amount overdue is to be paid by deduction from the member’s pensionable pay in such manner and at such rate as the Department requires.

(7) If, in a case where paragraph (6) applies, the member ceases to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme before the amount overdue has been paid under that paragraph, the amount outstanding becomes payable immediately.

(8) The Department may extend the time limit in paragraph (3) if the Department considers that the person has not had a reasonable opportunity to consider whether to exercise the option.

(9) The Department may accept an option to join the 2008 Section that is received after the person ceases to be an active member of the 1995 Section if [F430either paragraph (9A) applies to that person or that person satisfies all of the following] —

(a)a comparative statement of benefits under the 1995 Section and the 2008 Section of the Scheme was issued to the person whilst that person was an active member of the 1995 Section;

(b)but for the exercise of the option the person would otherwise become entitled to the immediate payment of benefits under Part III of the 1995 Section;

(c)the person has provided the Department with a notice in writing in such form as the Department may require that benefits are not to be paid from the 1995 Section and has not revoked that notice; and

(d)the person exercises the option before the end of the four month period beginning with the comparative statement issue date.

[F431(9A) This paragraph applies to a person who—

(a)has ceased to pay contributions in accordance with paragraph (3) or paragraph (4) of regulation 10 of the 1995 Regulations (Contributions by members),

(b)is continuing in HSC employment, and

(c)exercises the option before the end of the four month period beginning with the comparative statement issue date.]

(10) A person may revoke a notice given for the purposes of paragraph (9)(c)—

(a)at any time;

(b)in writing on the form provided by the Department for that purpose.

(11) A person who has revoked a notice in accordance with paragraph (10) may not provide a further notice under paragraph (9).

(12) A person exercising an option under this regulation who is entitled to a pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill health pension on early retirement) may count as qualifying service for the purpose of this Section of the Scheme a period of service measured in years and days equal to the qualifying service that person was entitled to count under regulation 5 of the 1995 Regulations (Meaning of qualifying service) in determining their entitlement to that pension.

(13) For the purposes of paragraphs [F432(4), (9) and (9A)] the comparative statement issue date is the date on which the comparative statement of benefits under the 1995 Section and the 2008 Section of the Scheme is sent (whether by electronic communication or otherwise)—

(a)to the person; or

(b)to the person’s employing authority.

(14) Where paragraph 13(b) applies the person must have a period equal to at least three months ending on the date specified by the Department in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) in which to opt to join this Section of the Scheme.

  • This is subject to paragraph (1)(a)(ii) and any extension of time in accordance with paragraph (8).

Textual Amendments

Transfer of service from the 1995 SectionN.I.

Service credited from the 1995 SectionN.I.

(1) A 2008 Section Optant who—

(a)becomes a member of this Section of the Scheme; and

(b)is not entitled to a pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (ill-health pension on early retirement),

is entitled to count the following service under this Section of the Scheme.

(2) The member may count as qualifying service a period equal in length to the period of qualifying service up to, and including, 31st March 2008 which the member was entitled to count under the 1995 Section (but not exceeding 45 years).

(3) The period of pensionable service which a 2008 Section Optant who is under age 60 on 1st October 2009 may count is a period equal in length to the period of superannuable service up to, and including, 31st March 2008 which the Optant was entitled to count under regulation 4 of the 1995 Regulations (Meaning of superannuable service).

  • This is subject to paragraph (6) and regulation 136M.

(4) The period of pensionable service which a 2008 Section Optant who is age 60 or over on 1st October 2009 may count is a period equal in length to the superannuable service up to, and including, 31st March 2008 which the Optant was entitled to count under regulation 4 of the 1995 Regulations calculated by multiplying that period of service (specified in days) by the factor specified in paragraph (5) applicable to that case.

  • This is subject to paragraph (6) and regulation 136M.

(5) The factor referred to in paragraph (4) is the factor specified by the Department for that purpose.

(6) For the purposes of paragraphs (3) and (4) the superannuable service which the 2008 Section Optant was entitled to count under regulation 4 of the 1995 Regulations—

(a)shall not include any superannuable service the Optant was entitled to count under regulation 4(1)(e) of those Regulations;

(b)shall be calculated without regard to paragraph (5) of regulation 76 of those Regulations (Mental Health Officers); and

(c)where the Optant is entitled to count any part-time superannuable service in the 1995 Section, shall be calculated in accordance with regulation 78 of those Regulations (Part-time employment).

(7) When a 2008 Section Optant becomes a member of this Section of the Scheme under this Part all rights in respect of that Optant under the 1995 Section are extinguished.

Treatment of Additional PensionN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who, whilst a member of the 1995 Section, had exercised an option to purchase additional pension (“OPAP”) under regulation 73A or 73C or whose employing authority had done so under regulation 73D of those Regulations (which deal with the purchase of additional pension by periodical contributions and lump sum).

(2) Where paragraph (1) applies, the amount of additional pension that will count under this Section of the Scheme shall be calculated in accordance with—

(a)paragraph (3) when all the contributions required to be made under the OPAP have been made in accordance with regulation 73G of the 1995 Regulations (Effect of payment of additional contributions under this Part);

(b)paragraph (4) when the OPAP has ceased or been cancelled in accordance with regulation 73F of those Regulations (Cancellation and cessation of options under regulation 73A).

(3) Where paragraph (2)(a) applies, the amount of additional pension that will count under regulation 40 shall be equal to the amount of additional pension—

(a)purchased in the 1995 Section under regulation 73G of the 1995 Regulations where the person’s chosen birthday under the OPAP was 65;

(b)that would have been purchased in the 1995 Section under regulation 73G of the 1995 Regulations if the person’s chosen birthday had been 65 and, in determining that amount, the Department shall have regard to the advice of the Scheme actuary, where the person’s chosen birthday under the OPAP was 60.

  • Paragraph (3)(b) is subject to paragraph (9).

(4) Where paragraph (2)(b) applies, the amount of additional pension that will count under regulation 42 shall be equal to the amount of additional pension—

(a)that was purchased in the 1995 Section under regulation 73H of the 1995 Regulations, where the person’s chosen birthday under the OPAP was 65;

(b)that would have been purchased in the 1995 Section under regulation 73H of the 1995 Regulations if the person’s chosen birthday had been 65 and, in determining that amount, the Department shall have regard to the advice of the Scheme actuary, where the person’s chosen birthday under the OPAP was 60.

  • Paragraph (4)(b) is subject to paragraph (9).

(5) The additional pension referred to in paragraph (3) or (4) that counts in this Section of the Scheme shall do so from the effective date specified in paragraph (5) of regulation 136B.

(6) This paragraph applies—

(a)to a person referred to in paragraph (1); and

(b)where at the effective date specified in paragraph (5) of regulation 136B—

(i)that person—

(aa)was making additional contributions in accordance with an OPAP exercised under regulation 73A of the 1995 Regulations; or

(bb)had applied to make, but had not yet begun making, additional contributions under regulation 73A of the 1995 Regulations; or

(cc)had applied to make, but had not yet made, a single lump sum contribution in accordance with an OPAP exercised under regulation 73C of the 1995 Regulations, or

(ii)that person’s employing authority had applied to make, but had not yet made, a single lump sum contribution on the person’s behalf, in accordance with an OPAP exercised under regulation 73D of the 1995 Regulations.

(7) Where paragraph (6) applies and the person’s chosen birthday referred to in regulation 73A of the 1995 Regulations was 65, the OPAP referred to in that paragraph will apply in this Section of the Scheme as if the OPAP were an option to purchase additional pension in accordance with whichever of regulation 34, 36 or 37 would apply in that case.

(8) Where paragraph (6) applies and the person’s chosen birthday referred to in regulation 73A of the 1995 Regulations was 60, the OPAP referred to in that paragraph will apply in this Section of the Scheme—

(a)as if the OPAP were an option to purchase additional pension in accordance with whichever of regulation 34, 36 or 37 would apply in that case; and

(b)after adjustment, having regard to the advice of the Scheme actuary, so that—

(i)the amount of the additional pension purchased in this Section of the Scheme is the same as that which would have been purchased in the 1995 Section, but

(ii)the additional periodical or lump sum contributions payable, regard being had to the normal retirement age of 65 applying in this Section of the Scheme, reduce or (where appropriate) cease to be payable.

  • This is subject to paragraph (9).

(9) If paragraph (3)(b), (4)(b) or (8) applies and—

(a)the amount of the additional pension calculated in accordance with paragraph (3)(b) or (4)(b) will exceed the limit on the total increase in the member’s pension referred to, as the case may be, in regulation 34, 36 or 37; or

(b)the limit on the total increase in the member’s pension referred to in regulation 34 will be exceeded by the amount of additional pension that counts in this Section of the Scheme in accordance with paragraph (8)(b)(i) notwithstanding any reduction in, or cessation of, additional contributions payable in accordance with paragraph (8)(b)(ii),

the total increase in the member’s pension under this regulation, taken together with any other increase under regulations 34, 36 or 37—

(i)will be subject to the limit on the total increase in the member’s pension described in regulation 34, 36 or 37, and

(ii)the amount of additional pension that counts in this Section of the Scheme in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8) that exceeds that limit will be converted to pensionable service under regulation 7(1)(d), and in determining the amount of additional pension to be converted into pensionable service, the Department shall have regard to the advice of the Scheme actuary.

Treatment of Additional ServiceN.I.

(1) A 2008 Section Optant—

(a)who becomes a member of this Section of the Scheme; and

(b)is buying or has already bought a period of additional service that counts as superannuable service under regulation 4(1)(e) of the 1995 Regulations (Meaning of superannuable service),

will be able to count as pensionable service in this Section of the Scheme the service referred to in whichever of paragraphs (5) or (6) apply to that Optant.

(2) That additional service referred to in paragraph (1) is—

(a)any additional service bought under regulation 67 of the 1995 Regulations (Right to buy additional service) before the date that person’s option to join this Section of the Scheme was received by the Department in accordance with regulation 136B; and

(b)any additional service bought under regulations 22 or 23 of the Health Personal Social Services (Superannuation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984.

  • This is subject to paragraphs (3) and (4).

(3) The additional service referred to at paragraph (2)(a) will be calculated in accordance with—

(a)paragraph (4), and as the case may be paragraph (8), of regulation 67 of the 1995 Regulations, in the case of an election that had ceased and was paid for in full by the date referred to in paragraph (2)(a);

(b)paragraphs (1), (4) and (5) (but not (6)) of regulation 73 of the 1995 Regulations (Part payment for additional service or unreduced retirement lump sum), in the case of an election that had ceased but had only partially been paid for at that date; or

(c)paragraphs (1), (4) and (5) (but not (6)) of regulation 73 of the 1995 Regulations, in the case of an election that remained in force immediately before that date.

  • Paragraph (3)(c) is subject to paragraph (7).

(4) The additional service referred to at paragraph (2)(b) will be calculated in accordance with whichever of—

(a)paragraph (3) or (4)(b) of regulation 22; or

(b)paragraph (1) or (3)(b) of paragraph 23,

of the Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984 applies to the Optant.

(5) The period of pensionable service which a 2008 Section Optant who is under age 60 on 1st October 2009 may count under this Section of the Scheme is a period equal in length to the period of additional service calculated in respect of that Optant in accordance with whichever of paragraph (3) or (4) apply to the Optant.

(6) The period of pensionable service which a 2008 Section Optant who is age 60 or over on 1st October 2009 may count under this Section of the Scheme is the period found by—

(a)first taking a period equal in length to the period of additional service (specified in days) calculated in respect of that Optant in accordance with whichever of paragraph (3) or (4) applies (“Period AS”); and

(b)then multiplying Period AS by the factor specified by the Department for that purpose.

(7) Where a member was buying additional service by means of additional contributions immediately before the date referred to in paragraph (2)(a), the member's—

(a)election to buy additional service will cease from that date; and

(b)any additional contributions due under the election that are unpaid at that date will be deducted from the member’s pensionable pay in accordance with regulation 136B(6) and (7).

(8) For the purposes of calculating the Optant’s benefits under this Section of the Scheme the pensionable service that the Optant is entitled to count under paragraph (5) or, as the case may be, paragraph (6) of this regulation will be added to the pensionable service the member is entitled to count under—

(a)regulation 136C(3), if the member is under age 60 on 1st October 2009; or

(b)regulation 136C(4), if the member is age 60 or over on that date.

  • This is subject to regulation 136R.

Treatment of unreduced retirement lump sumN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who becomes a member of this Section of the Scheme and, at the date that person’s option to join this Section of the Scheme was received by the Department in accordance with regulation 136B, had made an election under regulation 68 of the 1995 Regulations (Right to buy an unreduced lump sum) to—

(a)purchase an unreduced retirement lump sum for service before 25th March 1972; or

(b)buy additional survivor’s pension for service before 6th April 1988,

which satisfies any of the conditions in paragraph (2).

(2) Those conditions are that the election—

(a)was paid for in full by the date referred to in paragraph (1);

(b)ceased before the date referred to in paragraph (1), but before completion of the additional contributions payable;

(c)was payable by additional contributions and remained in force immediately before the date referred to in paragraph (1); or

(d)was payable by deduction from the member’s retirement lump sum.

(3) If paragraph (1) applies, the election referred to in that paragraph will cease to be effective from 1st April 2008 and—

(a)any additional contributions under the election that were due but not paid at that date will be deducted in accordance with regulations 136B(6) and (7);

(b)any liability to pay additional contributions under the election will cease from, and including, 1st April 2008; and

(c)any requirement to pay for an unreduced retirement lump sum by the deduction referred to in paragraph (2)(d) will lapse.

Treatment of 2008 Section Optants to whom regulation 52(3) of the 1995 Regulations applied immediately before 1 April 2008N.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant—

(a)whose benefits on retirement or death would, but for this regulation, be calculated in accordance with Chapters 4 and 5 of this Part; and

(b)who, but for joining this Section of the Scheme, would otherwise have been entitled to have benefits on retirement or death calculated in accordance with regulation 52(3) of the 1995 Regulations (Early leavers returning to superannuable employment).

(2) For the purpose of calculating the benefits on retirement or death of a 2008 Section Optant referred to in paragraph (1), the Optant may, where it would be more beneficial to the Optant, be treated—

(a)as a deferred member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of any period of pensionable service credited to that Optant under regulation 136C that relates to one or more periods of superannuable employment in the 1995 Section that occurred before a break of 12 months or more in such employment (“an earlier service credit”); and

(b)as if the Optant became an active member for the first time on the first day of any period of pensionable service credited to that Optant under regulation 136C that relates to a period of superannuable employment in the 1995 Section that occurred after a break of 12 months or more in such employment.

  • This is subject to paragraph (3).

(3) The Optant’s benefits in respect of an earlier service credit mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) shall be calculated—

(a)separately; and

(b)by reference to the final year’s superannuable pay calculated in accordance with regulation 3 of the 1995 Regulations (Meaning of superannuable pay and final year’s superannuable pay) in respect of that particular period.

  • This is subject to regulation 52(5)(b)(ii).

Pension debit membersN.I.

(1) This regulation applies where, on becoming a member of this Section of the Scheme, a 2008 Section Optant is a pension debit member.

(2) The amount of the reduction to be made to the Optant’s pension under this Section of the Scheme shall be the amount of the reduction that applied to the Optant’s pension under the 1995 Section calculated in accordance with Article 28 of the 1999 Order (Reduction of benefit) adjusted by the factor referred to in paragraph (3).

(3) The factor referred to in paragraph (2) is the factor specified by the Department for that purpose.

(4) The Department may, after taking advice from the Scheme actuary, make such modifications to—

(a)the Optant’s rights; and

(b)as to the form of the Optant’s benefits,

as the Department considers necessary for the purpose specified in paragraph (5).

(5) If in the opinion of the Department, it is necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the pension sharing order to which the Optant’s rights are subject for some or all of the benefits under this Section of the Scheme to be taken in a different form from that in which that Optant would otherwise be entitled to take them, the Department may modify those benefits as described in paragraph (4).

Treatment of 2008 Section Optants to whom regulation 82 of the 1995 Regulations applied immediately before 1st April 2008N.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant—

(a)whose earnings in respect of superannuable employment in the 1995 Section were reduced;

(b)whose employer certified that the reduction in sub-paragraph (a) occurred in the circumstances described in paragraph (2) of regulation 82 of the 1995 Regulations (Members whose earnings are reduced);

(c)who, subject to the agreement of the Department, would, on retirement or death, have become entitled to have a preserved pension calculated and paid as described in regulation 49 of the 1995 Regulations (Preserved pension) in respect of superannuable service in the 1995 Section before the Optant’s earnings were reduced; and

(d)whose benefits on retirement or death would, but for this regulation, be calculated in accordance with Chapters 4 and 5 of this Part.

(2) For the purpose of calculating the benefits on retirement or death of a 2008 Section Optant referred to in paragraph (1), the Optant may, where it would be more beneficial to the Optant, be treated—

(a)as a deferred member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of any period of pensionable service credited to that Optant under regulation 136C that relates to one or more periods of superannuable service in the 1995 Section before that Optant’s earnings were reduced as described in paragraph (1) (“a protected service credit”); and

(b)as if the Optant became an active member for the first time on the first day of any period of pensionable service credited to that Optant under regulation 136C that relates to a period of superannuable service in the 1995 Section after that Optant’s earnings were reduced as described in paragraph (1).

  • This is subject to paragraph (3).

(3) The Optant’s benefits in respect of a protected service credit mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) shall be calculated—

(a)separately; and

(b)by reference to the final year’s superannuable pay calculated in accordance with regulation 3 of the 1995 Regulations (Meaning of superannuable pay and final year’s superannuable pay) in respect of that particular period.

Restriction on pensionable pay used for calculating benefits in respect of capped Optant serviceN.I.

(1) This regulation applies for determining the amount of an Optant’s pensionable pay for the purposes of calculating so much of any benefit under this Section of the Scheme as falls to be calculated by reference to capped Optant service.

(2) If an Optant’s pensionable pay exceeds the permitted maximum, the excess is disregarded for the purposes of any such calculation as is mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) In this regulation “permitted maximum” means—

(a)in relation to the tax year 2009-10, £123,600; and

(b)in relation to any later tax year, the figure found for that year under paragraphs (4) and (5).

(4) If the retail prices index for the month of September preceding the tax year 2010-11 or any later tax year is higher than it was for the previous September, the figure for that year is an amount arrived at by—

(a)increasing the figure for the previous tax year by the same percentage as the percentage increase in the retail prices index; and

(b)if the result is not a multiple of £600, rounding it up to the nearest amount which is such a multiple.

(5) If the retail prices index for the month of September preceding the tax year 2010-11 or any later tax year is not higher than it was for the previous September, the figure for that year is the same as for the previous tax year.

(6) In this regulation “capped Optant service” has the meaning given by regulation 136K.

Meaning of “capped Optant service”N.I.

(1) This regulation applies if a 2008 Section Optant is entitled to count a period of service under this Section of the Scheme in accordance with—

(a)regulation 136C; or

(b)regulation 136E,

in respect of service in the 1995 Section that was, or included, capped service.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, the same proportion of the total service that the member is entitled to count under regulations 136C and 136E as the capped service bears to the whole of the Optant’s service in the 1995 Section up to and including 31st March 2008 is capped Optant service.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) the Optant’s service in the 1995 Section was capped service so far as—

(a)in the case of service before 6th April 2006, the Optant was an active member of the 1995 Section whose pension under that Section in respect of the service was to be calculated by reference to remuneration limited in each tax year to the permitted maximum for that year within the meaning of section 590C(2) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988; or

(b)in the case of service on or after 6th April 2006, the Optant was an active member of the 1995 Section whose pension under that Section in respect of the service was to be calculated by reference to remuneration limited in each tax year to an amount calculated in the same manner as the permitted maximum under section 590C(2) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 was calculated for tax years ending before that date.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), it does not matter whether, apart from the application of the limit, the Optant’s remuneration in any tax year would have exceeded the amount of the limit.

Amount of pension and lump sum to be to be paid to a 2008 Section OptantN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who—

(a)is entitled to an annual pension under Chapter 4 of this Part; or

(b)is entitled to the payment of a transfer value under Chapter 6 of this Part in respect of the pension that has accrued to, or in respect of, that Optant under this Section of the Scheme.

(2) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant referred to in paragraph (1)(a)—

(a)that Optant shall be entitled to the payment of a lump sum determined in accordance with whichever of the following paragraphs of this regulation apply to that Optant; and

(b)the annual amount of pension referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to which the Optant is entitled shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the lump sum referred to in sub-paragraph (a) divided by 12.

(3) In the case of a 2008 section Optant referred to in paragraph (1)(b)—

(a)the transfer value shall be calculated by reference to a lump sum determined under paragraph (5); and

(b)the pension by reference to which, apart from this regulation, the transfer value in respect of that Optant would otherwise be calculated shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the lump sum referred to in sub-paragraph (a) divided by 12.

(4) Except in the case of an Optant to whom paragraph (6), (8), (10) or (12) applies, the amount of the lump sum shall be determined as described in paragraph (5).

  • This is subject to paragraphs (13) and (15).

(5) The amount of the lump sum shall be determined by—

(a)applying the formula—

and

(b)rounding down the amount found under sub-paragraph (a) to the nearest amount of whole pounds that is divisible by 12.

(6) In the case of an Optant who—

(a)becomes entitled to an annual amount of pension payable under regulation 48; and

(b)has not attained age 60 on the day of becoming entitled to that pension,

the amount of lump sum shall be determined as described in paragraph (7).

(7) The amount of the lump sum that is to be paid to an Optant referred to in paragraph (6) shall be calculated by—

(a)applying the formula—

and

(b)rounding down the amount found under sub-paragraph (a) to the nearest amount of whole pounds that is divisible by 12.

(8) In the case of an Optant who—

(a)becomes entitled to an annual amount of pension payable under regulation 49 for the first time; and

(b)has not attained age 60 on the day of becoming entitled to that pension,

the amount of lump sum shall be determined as described in paragraph (9).

(9) The amount of the lump sum that is to be paid to an Optant referred to in paragraph (8) shall be calculated by—

(a)applying the formula—

and

(b)rounding down the amount found under sub-paragraph (a) to the nearest amount of whole pounds that is divisible by 12.

(10) In the case of an Optant who—

(a)becomes entitled to an annual amount of pension payable under regulation 49 for the first time, and

(b)has attained age 60 on the day of becoming entitled to that pension,

the amount of lump sum shall be determined as described in paragraph (11).

(11) The amount of the lump sum that is to be paid to an Optant referred to in paragraph (10) shall be calculated by—

(a)applying the formula—

and

(b)rounding down the amount found under sub-paragraph (a) to the nearest amount of whole pounds that is divisible by 12.

(12) In the case of an Optant—

(a)who is a pensioner member as respects a pension payable under regulation 49 as described in paragraph (9)(a) of that regulation; and

(b)who—

(i)subsequently exercises an option under that regulation for the second or final time, or

(ii)becomes entitled to any other pension under Chapter 4 of this Part in respect of pensionable service not taken into account for the purposes of calculating the pension payable under sub-paragraph (a),

the amount of lump sum payable under this regulation shall be determined by the Department after taking advice from the Scheme actuary.

(13) If, on becoming a member of this Section of the Scheme, a 2008 Section Optant is a pension debit member the amount of the lump sum determined under this regulation shall be reduced by the amount calculated under paragraph (14) (“the pension debit reduction”).

(14) The amount of the pension debit reduction referred to in paragraph (13) shall be calculated by—

(a)applying the formula—

and

(b)rounding up the amount found in sub-paragraph (a) to the nearest amount of whole pounds that is divisible by 12.

(15) If any part of an Optant’s benefit under this Section of the Scheme falls to be calculated by reference to capped Optant service under regulation 136J the determinations in this regulation shall apply separately in respect of—

(a)the pension to which the Optant is entitled in respect of the service that falls to be calculated by reference to capped Optant service; and

(b)the pension to which the Optant is entitled in respect of the service that does not fall to be calculated by reference to capped Optant service.

(16) For the purposes of this regulation—

  • “1995 Section Pension Debit” is the amount by which the Optant’s annual pension under the 1995 Regulations was to be reduced in accordance with Article 28 of the 1999 Order;

  • “annual amount”, in relation to a pension, means the amount of the annual pension to which the member would be entitled under this Section of the Scheme apart from this regulation, together with any increases payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, calculated as at the time payment would first be due;

  • “Increase Factor” is the factor that would have applied to the 1995 Section Pension Debit for the purposes of Article 26 of the 1999 Order (Creation of pension debits and credits) if the Optant had become entitled to a pension under the 1995 Regulations—

    (a)

    on the date that the Optant becomes entitled to a pension referred to in paragraph (1)(a); or

    (b)

    on the day after the Optant’s last day of pensionable service if the Optant becomes entitled to the payment of a transfer value referred to in paragraph (1)(b);

  • “Reckonable Pay” is the Optant’s reckonable pay calculated under Chapter 1 of this Part;

  • “Reduction Factor” is the reduction factor that the Department, after taking advice from the Scheme actuary, determines would have applied to that Optant’s lump sum under regulation 17(7)(b) of the 1995 Regulations (Lump sum on retirement) if that Optant had become entitled to a pension calculated under regulation 16 of those Regulations (Early retirement pension (with actuarial reduction)) on the day he became entitled to a pension under regulation 48 or as the case may be regulation 49;

  • “Relevant Service” is a period (expressed in days), equal to the aggregate of—

    (a)

    the period of pensionable service that the Optant is entitled to count under regulation 136C; and

    (b)

    the period of pensionable service (if any) that the Optant is entitled to count under regulations 136E and 136R;

  • “Specified Service” is the amount of the Optant’s Relevant Service (expressed in days) multiplied by the specified percentage;

  • “Specified percentage” is the percentage of the member’s pension in respect of which the member claims immediate payment under regulation 49(4)(a).

(17) In the case of an 2008 Section Optant whose benefits are subject to the modification provided in Part 4, this regulation is subject to regulation 260K(16).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Miscellaneous provisionsN.I.

Transfers in: transitional provisionN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who—

(a)commenced a period of superannuable employment in the 1995 Section on, or after, 1st April 2008; and

(b)within one year of the commencement of that employment, makes an application to transfer accrued rights to benefits to the 1995 Section under regulation 60 of the 1995 Regulations (Member’s right to transfer accrued rights to benefits to this Section of the Scheme).

(2) If—

(a)the Department accepts the transfer payment in respect of the application referred to in paragraph (1) in accordance with regulation 60(4) of the 1995 Regulations; and

(b)that payment is received by the Department before the day on which the person’s option to join this Section of the Scheme is received,

the period of pensionable service that the Optant is entitled to count in respect of that transfer payment for the purposes of calculating benefits payable to or in respect of the Optant under this Section of the Scheme will be calculated as described in paragraph (4).

(3) If the transfer payment in respect of an application referred to in paragraph (1) is received by the Department on, or after, the day on which the person’s option to join this Section of the Scheme is received—

(a)the Department may accept that payment under this Section of the Scheme—

(i)without requiring the Optant to make an application under regulation 100, and

(ii)subject to such other conditions as the Department may require; and

(b)if the Department accepts the payment, the period of pensionable service that the Optant is entitled to count in respect of that payment for the purposes of calculating benefits payable to or in respect of the Optant under this Section of the Scheme will be calculated as described in paragraph (4).

(4) The period of pensionable service that the Optant is entitled to count for the purposes of calculating benefits payable to, or in respect of, that Optant under this Section of the Scheme—

(a)will be calculated in accordance with regulation 103; and

(b)the starting day for the purposes of regulation 103(2) and (3) will be the day that the Optant’s superannuable employment referred to in paragraph (1) commenced.

  • This is subject to paragraph (5).

(5) If the transfer value payment is accepted by the Department under the public sector transfer arrangements—

(a)regulation 104 shall apply to the Optant in respect of the period of pensionable service that the Optant is entitled to count under this regulation; and

(b)the reference in regulation 104(2) to the service that the member is entitled to count under regulation 102(2)(a) shall be read as a reference to the service the Optant is entitled to count under paragraph (4).

2008 Section Optants: Transitional Tier 2 ill-health pensionN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who—

(a)has submitted a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department was willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) for the purposes of an ill-health pension payable in accordance with regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement); and

(b)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Department before the date on which the Department received the Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme.

(2) If the Optant referred to in paragraph (1) becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 52(3) (“a tier 2 ill-health pension”) within a period of one year beginning with the day on which that Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme is received—

(a)that Optant’s service shall be increased by the enhancement period determined in accordance with paragraph (3) (“the transitional enhancement period”); and

(b)the transitional enhancement period shall apply to that Optant’s service in place of the enhancement period that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise apply to the Optant’s service under regulation 52(6).

  • This is subject to paragraph (5).

(3) In this regulation—

(a)“the transitional enhancement period” means two-thirds of the Optant’s assumed pensionable service; and

(b)“the Optant’s assumed pensionable service” means the further pensionable service that the Optant could have counted if the Optant had continued in service until reaching the age of 60.

  • This is subject to paragraph (4).

(4) If the transitional enhancement period determined under paragraph (3) is less than four years pensionable service, the transitional enhancement period by which the Optant’s pensionable service is increased shall be the lesser of—

(a)four years pensionable service; and

(b)the pensionable service the Optant could have counted if the Optant had continued in service until reaching the age of 60.

(5) In the case of an Optant to whom this regulation applies, references to the “enhancement period” in regulation 52 are to be read as references to the “transitional enhancement period” determined under this regulation.

Treatment of ill-health retirement applications made by 2008 Section Optants within one year of joining this Section of the SchemeN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant—

(a)who submits a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department is willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) for the purposes of an ill-health pension payable in accordance with regulation 52; and

(b)that form and supporting medical evidence is received by the Department before the end of the period of one year commencing on the day on which the Department received the Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme.

(2) If, following a consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in paragraph (1), the Optant referred to in that paragraph becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 52(3) (“a tier 2 ill-health pension”)—

(a)that Optant’s service shall be increased by the enhancement period determined in accordance with whichever of paragraph (3) or (4) of regulation 136N applies to the Optant; and

(b)the transitional enhancement period shall apply to that Optant’s service in place of the enhancement period that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise apply to the Optant’s service under regulation 52(6).

  • This is subject to paragraph (3).

(3) In the case of an Optant to whom this regulation applies, references to the “enhancement period” in regulation 52 are to be read as references to the “transitional enhancement period” determined under this regulation.

Application of regulation 53 where a 2008 Section Optant has submitted an application for ill-health retirement under the 1995 SectionN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant—

(a)who submitted a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department was willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) for the purposes of an ill-health pension payable in accordance with regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement); and

(b)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Department before the date on which the Department received the Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme.

(2) If, following a consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in paragraph (1), the Optant referred to in that paragraph becomes entitled to a pension under regulation 52(2) (“a tier 1 ill-health pension”)—

(a)within a period of one year beginning with the day on which that Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme is received; and

(b)immediately before joining this Section of the Scheme the Optant was notified under regulation 13B of the 1995 Regulations (Re-assessment of ill-health condition determined under regulation 13A) that the Optant may ask the Department to consider whether that Optant subsequently meets the tier 2 condition under that regulation,

that Optant shall be entitled to a re-assessment of entitlement to an ill-health pension determined under regulation 53 in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation.

(3) For the purposes of assessing whether the Optant satisfies the condition in regulation 52(3)(a) at the date of the Department’s review, “permanently” shall mean until age 60.

(4) If, after considering the further medical evidence provided by the Optant under regulation 53, the Department determines that the Optant meets the condition in 52(3)(a), then as from the date on which that determination is made the Optant—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension; and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 but which shall be calculated in accordance with paragraph (5).

(5) For the purpose of calculating the tier 2 ill-health pension referred to in paragraph (4)—

(a)the Optant’s service shall be increased by the transitional enhancement period determined in accordance with whichever of paragraphs (3) or (4) of regulation 136N apply to that Optant; and

(b)the transitional enhancement period shall apply to that Optant’s service in place of the enhancement period that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise apply to that Optant’s service under regulation 52(6).

  • This is subject to paragraph (6).

(6) In the case of an Optant to whom this regulation applies—

(a)regulation 136N shall be read as if paragraph (3)(b) of that regulation included the words “from the date of the Department’s determination under regulation 53” after “continued in service”; and

(b)references to the “enhancement period” in regulation 52 are to be read as references to the “transitional enhancement period” determined under this regulation.

Application of regulation 53 where a 2008 Section Optant has submitted an application for ill-health retirement under the 2008 Section within a year of joining the 2008 SectionN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant—

(a)who submits a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department is willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) for the purposes of an ill-health pension payable in accordance with regulation 52;

(b)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Department before the end of the period of one year commencing on the day the Department received the Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme; and

(c)following a consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in sub-paragraph (a)—

(i)the Optant becomes entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 52, and

(ii)at the time the Optant is awarded a pension under that regulation the Department gives the Optant notice in writing in accordance with regulation 53(1)(b) that the Optant’s case may be considered once within a period of three years commencing with the date of that award to determine whether the Optant meets the condition in regulation 52(3)(a) at the date of such a consideration.

(2) If, after considering the further medical evidence provided by the Optant under regulation 53, the Department determines that the Optant meets the condition in 52(3)(a), then as from the date on which that determination is made the Optant—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension; and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 but which shall be calculated in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) For the purpose of calculating the tier 2 ill-health pension referred to in paragraph (2)—

(a)the Optant’s service shall be increased by the transitional enhancement period determined in accordance with whichever of paragraphs (3) or (4) of regulation 136N applies to that Optant; and

(b)the transitional enhancement period shall apply to that Optant’s service in place of the enhancement period that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise apply to that Optant’s service under regulation 52(6).

  • This is subject to paragraph (4).

(4) In the case of an Optant to whom this regulation applies—

(a)regulation 136N shall be read as if paragraph (3)(b) of that regulation included the words “from the date of the Department’s determination under regulation 53” after “continued in service”; and

(b)references to the “enhancement period” in regulation 52 are to be read as references to the “transitional enhancement period” determined under this regulation.

Transitional Provision: Treatment of additional service in respect of Optants retiring on the grounds of ill HealthN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who, apart from this regulation, would be entitled to count a period of pensionable service determined in accordance with paragraph (3) of regulation 136E.

(2) If—

(a)an Optant referred to in paragraph (1) submitted a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department was willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) pursuant to regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement);

(b)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Department before the end of a period of one year commencing on the date on which the Optant commenced payment for a period of additional service under regulation 67 of the 1995 Regulations (Paying for additional service and unreduced retirement lump sum by regular additional contributions); and

(c)following a consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in sub-paragraph (a) that Optant becomes entitled to a tier 1 or tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 within a period of one year beginning with the day on which the Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme is received,

that Optant will not be entitled to count a period of pensionable service under regulation 136E and—

(i)an amount equal to the contributions (less any tax that may be payable) made by the Optant in respect of that period of additional service shall be returned to the Optant in accordance with regulation 73(2) of the 1995 Regulations (Part payment for additional service or unreduced retirement lump sum, and

(ii)paragraph (7) of regulation 136E will not apply.

(3) If—

(a)an Optant referred to in paragraph (1) submitted a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department was willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) pursuant to regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations;

(b)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Department after a period of at least one year commencing on the date on which the Optant commenced payment for a period of additional service under regulation 72 of the 1995 Regulations; and

(c)following a consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in sub-paragraph (a) that Optant becomes entitled to a tier 1 or tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 within a period of one year beginning with the day on which the Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme is received,

in addition to the pensionable service that Optant is entitled to count under regulation 136E, that Optant shall also be entitled to count a period of pensionable service determined under paragraph (4).

(4) The period of pensionable service that an Optant is entitled to count under this regulation shall be a period of service equal to the difference between—

(a)the period of service the Optant is entitled to count under regulation 136E; and

(b)the period of service the Optant elected to purchase under regulation 67 of the 1995 Regulations calculated in accordance with regulation 73(3) of the 1995 Regulations and as if the member had become entitled to a pension under regulation 13A of those Regulations on the day the Department received that Optant’s option to join this Section of the Scheme.

(5) For the purposes of calculating the Optant’s benefits under this Section of the Scheme, the pensionable service the Optant is entitled to count under paragraph (4) will be added to the service the member is entitled to count under regulation 136C(3).

Circumstances in which a 1995 Section member may defer making an option to join this Section of the Scheme under regulation 136BN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a person who—

(a)on, or after, 1st October 2009—

(i)is an active member of the 1995 Section, or

(ii)is a member of that Section who is absent from work because of illness or injury and whose earnings have ceased in the circumstances described in paragraph (4)(a) of regulation 65 of the 1995 Regulations (Absence because of illness or injury or certain types of leave);

(b)has submitted a form AW33 (or such other form as the Department was willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) for the purposes of an ill-health pension payable in accordance with regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement); and

(c)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Department—

(i)before the date on which a comparative statement of benefits under the 1995 Section and the 2008 Section of the Scheme is sent to the person (whether by electronic communication or otherwise) in accordance with regulation 136B, or

(ii)if such a statement has been issued to that person, before the date specified by the Department for the purposes of paragraph (3) of that regulation.

(2) A person to whom paragraph (1) applies may opt to join this Section of the Scheme in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) The option under paragraph (2) may only be exercised if—

(a)the person gives notice in writing to the Department in such form as it requires; and

(b)that notice is received by the Department within a period of four months starting with, where—

(i)that person is sent a written notification of the Department’s decision as to whether, in consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in paragraph (1), that person has met the tier 1 or the tier 2 condition specified in regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (“the first decision”), the date of that decision,

(ii)that person is sent a written notification of the Department’s decision in respect of the stage one dispute, (“a stage one decision”), the date of that decision,

(iii)that person is sent a written notification of the Department’s decision in respect of the stage two dispute, (“a stage two decision”), the date of that decision, or

(iv)that person is sent written notification of the final determination by the Pensions Ombudsman, the date of that determination.

  • This is subject to paragraph (4).

(4) Paragraph (3) shall cease to apply to any person if at any time that person—

(a)returns to HSC employment; or

(b)claims a pension under regulation 16 or 49 of the 1995 Regulations (Early retirement pension (with actuarial reduction) and preserved pension, respectively).

(5) For the purpose of this regulation—

“stage one dispute” means a request made to the Department for a review of the first decision under Article 50 of the 1995 Order (Resolution of disputes), that is received by the Department within a period of one year starting with the date on which that person’s contract of employment is terminated;

“stage two dispute” means a request made to the Department to review the stage one decision under Article 50 of the 1995 Order that is received by the Department within a period of six months starting with the day on which that person is sent a written notification of a stage one decision;

“the final determination by the Pensions Ombudsman” means a written determination under section 147 of the 1993 Act made as the result of the investigation of a complaint by the person in respect of the stage two decision that was received by the Pensions Ombudsman within a period of three years starting with the day on which the person is sent written notification of the stage two decision.

Nominations and notices accepted by the Department under the 1995 Regulations to apply under Chapter 5 of this Part of these RegulationsN.I.

(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)the Department has accepted any of the nominations or notices specified in paragraph (2) in respect of the benefits to be paid on the death of a person who is a 1995 Section member; and

(b)on the day that the Department receives that person’s option to join this Section of the Scheme, that person has not revoked that nomination or notice.

(2) The nominations and notices referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a)a nomination made in accordance with regulation 22 of the 1995 Regulations (Payment of lump sum) in favour of one or more persons in respect of any lump sum that becomes payable under regulations 18 to 21 of the 1995 Regulations (which deal with lump sum payments on the death of a member in different circumstances);

(b)a notice provided for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a) of regulation 22 of the 1995 Regulations that the person’s surviving partner (within the meaning of that regulation) is not to receive the payment of any lump sum that becomes payable under regulations 18 to 21 of the 1995 Regulations;

F433(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) For the purpose of this Section of the Scheme a nomination or notice referred to in paragraph (1) shall be treated—

(a)in the case of the nomination referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(a), as if that nomination has been accepted by the Department as a notice for the purposes of regulation 87;

(b)in the case of a notice referred to in paragraph (2)(b), as if that notice had been accepted by the Department as a notice for the purposes of regulation 87 specifying that the Optant’s personal representatives are to receive any lump or pension on the death of the Optant; and

(c)in the case of a notice referred to in paragraph (2)(c), as if that notice had been accepted by the Department as a declaration for the purposes of regulation 68.

Textual Amendments

Late payment of pension with actuarial increase for a 2008 OptantN.I.

(1) This regulation applies if a 2008 Section Optant becomes entitled to immediate payment of a pension under regulation 45 after reaching the age of 65.

(2) In the case of an Optant to whom paragraph (1) applies so much of the amount of the pension as is attributable to—

(a)the pensionable service that Optant is entitled to count under—

(i)regulation 136C,

(ii)regulation 136E (if any), and

(iii)this Section of the Scheme on or after 1st April 2008 but before reaching the age of 65; and

(b)any contributions paid under regulation 34, 36 or 37 before reaching that age,

shall be increased in accordance with paragraph (4).

  • This is subject to paragraph (6).

(3) In paragraph (2) the reference to the amount of the pension is to the amount of pension—

(a)before that pension had been reduced in accordance with regulation 136L; and

(b)before any commutation under regulation 58.

(4) The amount of the increase referred to in paragraph (2) must be calculated in accordance with guidance and tables provided by the Scheme actuary to the Department for the purposes of this regulation.

(5) In preparing that guidance and those tables the Scheme actuary must use such factors as the Scheme actuary considers appropriate, having regard, in particular, to—

(a)the period after reaching the age of 65 before the Optant becomes entitled to immediate payment of the pension; and

(b)the life expectancy of the Optant.

(6) The increase shall apply to the Optant’s pension in place of the actuarial increase that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise apply to the Optant’s pension under regulation 47.

2008 Section Optants who are in receipt of a tier 1 ill-health pension under Regulation 13A of the 1995 RegulationsN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who—

(a)is entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (ill health pension on early retirement) in respect of service in the 1995 Section (“the earlier 1995 Section service”); and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension or, as the case may be, a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 in respect of service in this Section of the Scheme (“the later 2008 Section service”).

(2) For the purposes of determining whether an Optant can count 45 years of pensionable service for any purpose, the earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service are aggregated.

(3) If, on the termination of the later 2008 Section service the Optant becomes entitled, under regulation 52, to—

(a)a tier 1 ill-health pension; or

(b)a tier 2 ill-health pension,

in respect of the later 2008 Section service, the Optant is entitled to the benefits set out in paragraph (4).

(4) The benefits mentioned in paragraph (3) are—

(a)the member’s tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations in respect of the member’s earlier 1995 Section service; and

(b)a tier 1 or, as the case may be, tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of the member’s later 2008 Section service.

  • This is subject to paragraph (5) and regulations 136N to 136R.

(5) If the Optant—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension in respect of the earlier 1995 Section service;

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of that earlier 1995 Section service in accordance with regulation 13B of the 1995 Regulations (Re-assessment of ill-health condition determined under regulation 13A); and

(c)becomes entitled to a tier 1 or, as the case may be, tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of later 2008 Section service on the termination of that later service,

the Optant is entitled to the benefits set out in paragraph (6).

(6) Those benefits are—

(a)a tier 2 ill-health pension paid in accordance with regulation 13B of the 1995 Regulations in respect of the earlier 1995 Section service; and

(b)a tier 1 ill-health pension in respect of the later 2008 Section service.

Lump sum payable on the death of a 2008 Section Optant who is in receipt of a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 RegulationsN.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who, on the date of that Optant’s death—

(a)is entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement) in respect of service in the 1995 Section; and

(b)is an active or a non-contributing member in respect of service in this Section of the Scheme (“the later 2008 Section service”).

(2) The lump sum payable on the death of an Optant referred to in paragraph (1) shall be—

(a)calculated in accordance with whichever of paragraphs (3), (4) or (5) applies to that Optant; and

(b)paid in place of the lump sum that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise be payable in respect of that Optant’s later 2008 Section service under regulation 83.

(3) If the deceased Optant was, at the date of the Optant’s death, an active member who had not exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2)(a) is an amount equal to five times the annual rate of pension—

(a)payable under regulation 52(5), if the deceased Optant had not reached the age of 65; or

(b)payable under regulation 45, if the deceased Optant had reached the age of 65,

to which the deceased Optant would have been entitled at the date of the Optant’s death.

(4) If the deceased Optant was a non-contributing member who had not exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2)(a) is an amount equal to five times the annual rate of pension—

(a)payable under regulation 52(5), if the deceased Optant had not reached the age of 65; or

(b)payable under regulation 45, if the deceased Optant had reached the age of 65,

to which the Optant would have been entitled on the last day of the Optant’s pensionable service.

(5) If the Optant was an active member or a non-contributing member who had exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2)(a) shall be determined by the Department after taking advice from the Scheme actuary.

Children’s pensions payable on the death of a 2008 Section Optant who is in receipt of a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations.N.I.

(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant (“a deceased Optant”) who, in respect of service in this Section of the Scheme, was—

(a)at the date of the Optant’s death—

(i)an active member,

(ii)a non-contributing member,

(iii)a pensioner member, or

(iv)a deferred member; and

(b)on that date was entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement) in respect of service in the 1995 Section (“the earlier 1995 Section service”).

(2) In the case of a deceased Optant referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i) and (ii), “relevant service” for the purposes of paragraph (3) of regulation 76 shall have the meaning given in paragraph (3) of this regulation.

(3) “Relevant service” means—

(a)in the case of a deceased Optant who was, at the date of the Optant’s death, an active member the greater of—

(i)the pensionable service the deceased Optant was entitled to count at that date, increased by the enhancement period (if any) that would have applied for the purposes of regulation 52(5) if the deceased Optant had become entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension at that date, and

(ii)the deceased Optant’s later 2008 Section service as an active member plus the difference between—

(aa)the aggregate of the Optant’s earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service as an active member; and

(bb)10 years pensionable service,

where the amount of service in paragraph (aa) is less than that specified in paragraph (bb);

(b)in the case of a deceased Optant referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(ii), the pensionable service that the deceased Optant was entitled to count under this Section of the Scheme on the date of Optant’s death.

(4) In the case of a deceased Optant referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(iii), “the basic death pension” for the purposes of paragraph (3) of regulation 77 shall have the meaning given in paragraph (5).

(5) The “basic death pension” means the greater of—

(a)75% of the deceased Optant’s annual pension (disregarding any additional pension); and

(b)75% of the annual pension to which the deceased would have been entitled in respect of the aggregate of the deceased Optant’s later 2008 Section service plus the difference between—

(i)the aggregate of the deceased Optant’s earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service, and

(ii)10 years pensionable service,

where the amount of service in (i) is less than that specified in (ii).

(6) In the case of a deceased Optant referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(iv), “the basic death pension” for the purposes of paragraph (3) of regulation 78 shall have the meaning given in paragraph (7).

(7) The “basic death pension” means—

(a)if the deceased Optant died within 12 months after ceasing to be an active member or a non-contributing member, the amount that would be the basic death pension for the purposes of regulation 76 if the deceased Optant had died on the day of so ceasing (disregarding any additional pension); and

(b)if the deceased died more than 12 months after ceasing to be an active member or a non-contributing member, the greater of—

(i)75% of the pension to which the deceased Optant would have been entitled if the deceased Optant had become entitled to a pension under regulation 45 on the date of death (disregarding any additional pension), and

(ii)75% of the annual pension to which the deceased Optant would have been entitled in respect of the aggregate of the deceased Optant’s later 2008 Section service that has been deferred plus the difference between—

(aa)the aggregate of the deceased Optant’s earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service that has been deferred; and

(bb)10 years pensionable service,

where the amount of service in paragraph (aa) is less than that specified in paragraph (bb).]

[F434CHAPTER 11N.I.

Textual Amendments

Waiting Period JoinersN.I.

Application of Chapter 11 of this PartN.I.

136Y—(1) This Chapter makes provision in relation to pensioner members of the 1995 Section who are eligible to be members of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(ii) of regulation 21A (Eligibility: transitional).

(2) A member of this Section of the Scheme to whom this Chapter applies is referred to as a “Waiting Period Joiner”.

Nominations and notices accepted by the Department under the 1995 Regulations and Chapter 5 of this Part of these RegulationsN.I.

136Z—(1) This regulation applies if—

(a)on the day a Waiting Period Joiner becomes an active member of this Section of the Scheme—

(i)the Department has accepted any of the nominations or notices specified in paragraph (2) in respect of the benefits to be paid on the death of that Joiner, and

(ii)that Joiner has not revoked that nomination or notice; or

(b)at any time after a Waiting Period Joiner becomes an active member of this Section of the Scheme, that Joiner gives a notice, nomination or declaration for the purposes of a regulation listed in the table at paragraph (4).

(2) The nominations and notices referred to in paragraph (1)(a) are—

(a)a nomination made in accordance with regulation 22 of the 1995 Regulations (Payment of lump sum) in favour of one or more persons in respect of any lump sum that becomes payable under regulations 18 to 21 of those Regulations (which deal with lump sum payments on the death of a member in different circumstances);

(b)a notice provided for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a) of regulation 22 of the 1995 Regulations that the person’s surviving partner (within the meaning of that regulation) is not to receive the payment of any lump sum that becomes payable under regulations 18 to 21 of those Regulations;

F435(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) For the purpose of this Section of the Scheme a nomination or notice referred to in paragraph (1)(a) shall be treated—

(a)in the case of the nomination referred to in paragraph (2)(a), as if that nomination has been accepted by the Department as a notice for the purposes of regulation 87,

(b)in the case of a notice referred to in paragraph (2)(b), as if that notice had been accepted by the Department as a notice for the purposes of regulation 87 specifying that the Waiting Period Joiner’s personal representatives are to receive any lump sum or pension on the death of that Joiner, and

(c)in the case of a notice referred to in paragraph (2)(c), as if that notice had been accepted by the Department as a declaration for the purposes of regulation 68.

(4) A notice, nomination or declaration referred to in paragraph (1)(b) that is given by a Waiting Period Joiner for the purposes of a regulation listed in column 1 of the following table shall, without more, be treated as a notice, nomination or declaration given for the purposes of the corresponding regulation in column 2.

Column 1Column2
1995 Regulations2008 Regulations
2287
31E68

Textual Amendments

Waiting Period Joiners who are in receipt of a tier 1 ill-health pension under Regulation 13A of the 1995 RegulationsN.I.

136ZA—(1) This regulation applies to a Waiting Period Joiner who—

(a)is entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations (Ill-health pension on early retirement) in respect of service in the 1995 Section (“the earlier 1995 Section service”); and

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension or, as the case may be, a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 in respect of service in this Section of the Scheme (“the later 2008 Section service”).

(2) For the purposes of determining whether a Waiting Period Joiner can count 45 years of pensionable service for any purpose, the earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service are aggregated.

(3) A Waiting Period Joiner is entitled to the benefits set out in paragraph (4) if, on the termination of the later 2008 Section service, that Joiner becomes entitled to a tier 1 or a tier 2 ill-health pension under regulation 52 in respect of that later service.

(4) Those benefits are—

(a)a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 13A of the 1995 Regulations in respect of the member’s earlier 1995 Section service; and

(b)a tier 1 or, as the case may be, tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of the member’s later 2008 Section service.

This is subject to paragraph (5).

(5) A Waiting Period Joiner is entitled to the benefits set out in paragraph (6) where that Joiner—

(a)ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension in respect of the earlier 1995 Section service;

(b)becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of that earlier 1995 Section service in accordance with regulation 13B of the 1995 Regulations (Re-assessment of ill health condition determined under regulation 13A); and

(c)becomes entitled to a tier 1 or, as the case may be, tier 2 ill-health pension in respect of the later 2008 Section service on the termination of that later service.

(6) Those benefits are—

(a)a tier 2 ill-health pension paid in accordance with regulation 13B of the 1995 Regulations in respect of the earlier 1995 Section service; and

(b)a tier 1 ill-health pension in respect of the later 2008 Section service.

Lump sum payable on the death of a Waiting Period JoinerN.I.

136ZB—(1) This regulation applies to a Waiting Period Joiner who, on the date of that Joiner’s death, is an active or a non-contributing member in respect of service in this Section of the Scheme (“the later 2008 Section service”).

(2) The lump sum payable on the death of a Joiner referred to in paragraph (1) shall be calculated in accordance with whichever of paragraphs (3) to (6) applies to that Joiner and shall be paid in place of the lump sum that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise be payable in respect of that Joiner’s later 2008 Section service under regulation 83.

(3) Where, at the date of a Waiting Period Joiner’s death, that Joiner was an active member who had not reached age 65 and who had not exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2) is an amount equal to the annual rate of pension payable under regulation 52(5) to which that deceased Joiner would have been entitled at that date, multiplied by five.

(4) Where, at the date of a Waiting Period Joiner’s death, that Joiner was an active member who had reached age 65 and who had not exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2) is an amount equal to the annual rate of pension payable under regulation 45 to which that deceased Joiner would have been entitled at that date, multiplied by five.

(5) Where, at the date of a Waiting Period Joiner’s death, that Joiner was a non-contributing member who had not exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2) is an amount equal to the annual rate of pension to which that Joiner would have been entitled under regulation 45 on the last day of that Joiner’s pensionable service, multiplied by five.

(6) Where, at the date of a Waiting Period Joiner’s death, that Joiner was an active member or a non-contributing member who had exercised the option under regulation 49, the lump sum referred to in paragraph (2) shall be determined by the Department after taking advice from the Scheme actuary.

Children’s pensions payable on the death of a Waiting Period JoinerN.I.

136ZC—(1) This regulation applies in respect of a Waiting Period Joiner’s service in this Section of the Scheme, where at the date of that Joiner’s death that Joiner was an active, non-contributing, pensioner or deferred member who was entitled to a pension under the 1995 Regulations in respect of service in the 1995 Section (“the earlier 1995 Section service”).

(2) In the case of a deceased Waiting Period Joiner who, at the date of that Joiner’s death was an active or non-contributing member, “relevant service” for the purposes of paragraph (4) of regulation 76 shall have the meaning given in paragraph (3).

(3) “Relevant service” means—

(a)in the case of a deceased Waiting Period Joiner who was, at the date of that Joiner’s death, an active member, the greater of—

(i)the pensionable service that Joiner was entitled to count at that date, increased by the enhancement period (if any) that would have applied for the purposes of regulation 52(5) if that Joiner had become entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension at that date, and

(ii)that Joiner’s later 2008 Section service as an active member plus the difference between—

(aa)the aggregate of that Joiner’s earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service as an active member; and

(bb)10 years pensionable service,

where the amount of service in paragraph (aa) is less than that specified in paragraph (bb);

(b)in the case of a deceased Waiting Period Joiner who, at the date of that Joiner’s death was a non-contributing member, the pensionable service that Joiner was entitled to count under this Section of the Scheme on the date of that Joiner’s death.

(4) In the case of a deceased Waiting Period Joiner who, at the date of that Joiner’s death was a pensioner member, “the basic death pension” for the purposes of paragraph (3) of regulation 77 shall have the meaning given in paragraph (5).

(5) The “basic death pension” means the greater of—

(a)75% of the deceased Waiting Period Joiner’s annual pension (disregarding any additional pension); and

(b)75% of the annual pension to which that Joiner would have been entitled in respect of the aggregate of that Joiner’s later 2008 Section service plus the difference between—

(i)the aggregate of that Joiner’s earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service, and

(ii)10 years pensionable service,

where the amount of service in head (i) is less than that specified in head (ii).

(6) In the case of a deceased Waiting Period Joiner who, at the date of that Joiner’s death was a deferred member, “the basic death pension” for the purposes of paragraph (3) of regulation 78 shall have the meaning given in paragraph (7).

(7) The “basic death pension” means—

(a)if the deceased Waiting Period Joiner died within 12 months after ceasing to be an active member or a non-contributing member, the amount that would be the basic death pension for the purposes of regulation 76 if that Joiner had died on the day of so ceasing (disregarding any additional pension); and

(b)if the deceased Waiting Period Joiner died more than 12 months after ceasing to be an active member or a non-contributing member, the greater of—

(i)75% of the pension to which that Joiner would have been entitled if that Joiner had become entitled to a pension under regulation 45 on the date of death (disregarding any additional pension), and

(ii)75% of the annual pension to which that Joiner would have been entitled in respect of the aggregate of that Joiner’s later 2008 Section service that has been deferred plus the difference between—

(aa)the aggregate of that Joiner’s earlier 1995 Section service and the later 2008 Section service that has been deferred; and

(bb)10 years pensionable service,

where the amount of service in paragraph (aa) is less than that specified in paragraph (bb).]

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