PART 3 N.I. BENEFITS FOR PRACTITIONERS ETC.

CHAPTER 3 N.I. CONTRIBUTIONS

Additional contributions to purchase additional pensions N.I.

Effect of member being absent or leaving and rejoining [F1 this Section of] the Scheme during the contribution option period N.I.

166.—(1) This paragraph applies if during the contribution option period a member who has exercised the option under regulation 165 is absent from work because of—

(a) illness or injury,

(b) maternity leave,

(c) adoption leave,

(d) paternity leave,

(e) parental leave [F2 or shared parental leave], F3 ...

[F4 (ea) parental bereavement leave, or]

(f) a leave of absence of the kind mentioned in regulation 140(3).

(2) If paragraph (1) applies—

(a) the contributions under the option continue to be payable unless the member ceases paying contributions under regulation 160, and

(b) if 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 160 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 165,

(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 175.

(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

F1 Words in reg. 166 heading 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

F2 Words in reg. 166(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), 15

F3 Word in reg. 166(1)(e) omitted (6.4.2022) by virtue of The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Consequential Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/168), regs. 1, 15(11)(a) and (3.10.2022) by virtue of The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Consequential Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/236), regs. 1(1), 15(11)(a) (with regs. 28-34)

F4 Reg. 166(1)(ea) inserted (6.4.2022) by The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Consequential Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/168), regs. 1, 15(11)(b) and (3.10.2022) by The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Consequential Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/236), regs. 1(1), 15(11)(b) (with regs. 28-34)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Regs. 165-172 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/122), regs. 1, 23(2)(a)(3)(b)(ii)