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

[F1 [F2 29 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 [F3 this 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 [F4 the 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 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 [F4 the 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 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 [F5 the 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 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 [F3 this 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 [F3 this 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 [F3 this 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 [F3 this 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 [F6 the 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 [F3 this 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 [F3 this Section of] the Scheme.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 29 substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation Scheme and Injury Benefits) and Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/188), regs. 1(2), 19

F2 Words in reg. 29 heading substituted (20.1.2011) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/420), regs. 1(2), 13(2)

F3 Words in reg. 29 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

F4 Words in reg. 29(4)-(17) substituted (1.4.2012) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/78), regs. 1(2), 13

F5 Words in reg. 29(21) substituted (1.4.2012) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/78), regs. 1(2), 13

F6 Words in reg. 29(26) substituted (20.1.2011) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/420), regs. 1(2), 13(4)