The Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

PART 3 N.I. Exceptions to section 18(1) of the Act: tapered protection members of the PCSPS(NI)

Interpretation of Part N.I.

18.  In this Part—

“active member of an existing public body pension scheme” has the meaning given in paragraph 6;

“active member of an existing scheme” has the meaning given in paragraph 5; and “active member of the PCSPS(NI)” has the meaning given in paragraph 4.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 2 para. 18 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Tapered protection members of the PCSPS(NI) N.I.

19.—(1) A person (P) to whom any of paragraphs 22 to 27 applies is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI).

(2) P ceases to be a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) on whichever of the following days occurs first—

(a) P’s tapered protection closing date; or

(b) the day on which P ceases to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI), unless sub- paragraph (3) or sub-paragraph (4) applies.

(3) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) Before P’s transition date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and

(b) P would have been a protected member of that existing scheme or existing public body pension scheme had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI).

(4) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) Before P’s transition date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) otherwise than from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and

(b) P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) after a gap in service not exceeding 5 years.

(5) In this paragraph— “exception” means–

(a) in relation to an existing scheme, an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6) of the Act provided for in the scheme regulations for that scheme;

(b) in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme; and

(6) “protected member” of an existing scheme or an existing public body scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies for the purposes of that scheme.

(7) For the purpose of paragraph (4)(b), after the scheme closing date P is not on a gap in service while P is in pensionable public service.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 2 para. 19 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Exception for tapered protection members during protection period N.I.

20.—(1) The protection period for a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) is the period which—

(a) begins on the day after the scheme closing date (or if paragraph 24(3) applies, the day after the day that the existing public body pension scheme closed to any further accrual by members of benefits under the scheme); and

(b) ends when P ceases to be a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI).

(2) During the protection period—

(a) P is eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI);

(b) section 18(1) of the Act does not apply in respect of that pensionable service; and

(c) benefits are to be provided under the PCSPS(NI) to or in respect of P in relation to that pensionable service.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 2 para. 20 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Tapered protection member not eligible to join this scheme N.I.

21.  While a person (P) is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI), P is not eligible to be an active member of this scheme.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 2 para. 21 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Members of the PCSPS(NI) on scheme closing date N.I.

22.—(1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraph (2) or sub-paragraph (3) applies.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) P was an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on the scheme closing date and on 31st March 2012; and

(b) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) between 2nd April 2022 and 1st September 2025 (inclusive).

(3) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI), or of an existing public body pension scheme, (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;

(b) P was an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on the scheme closing date; and

(c) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—

(i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and

(ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 2 para. 22 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Members of an existing scheme N.I.

23.—(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI) or an existing public body pension scheme on the closing date for that scheme;

(b) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;

(c) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI);

(d) P would have been a protected member of the existing scheme referred to in paragraph (c) had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and

(e) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—

(i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and

(ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) the closing date for an existing scheme is the date referred to in section 18(4) of the Act, as applicable;

(b) the closing date for an existing public body pension scheme is the date determined under section 32(2) of the Act by the public authority responsible for that scheme;

(c) “exception”, in relation to an existing scheme, means an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6) of the Act provided for in the scheme regulations for that scheme; and

(d) “protected member of the existing scheme” means a person in respect of whom an exception applies for the purposes of that scheme.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 2 para. 23 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Members of an existing public body pension scheme N.I.

24.—(1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraph (2) or sub-paragraph (3) applies.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI) or an existing public body pension scheme on the closing date for that scheme;

(b) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;

(c) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing public body pension scheme;

(d) P would have been a protected member of the existing public body pension scheme referred to in paragraph (c) had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and

(e) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—

(i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and

(ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.

(3) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) P was an active member of an existing public body pension scheme on a date that the scheme closed to any further accrual by members of benefits under the scheme, whether under section 32 of the Act or otherwise;

(b) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (P’s transitional scheme) on 31st March 2012;

(c) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under the existing public body pension scheme referred to in paragraph (a); and

(d) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—

(i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and

(ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) the closing date for an existing scheme is the date referred to in section 18(4) of the Act, as applicable;

(b) the closing date for an existing public body pension scheme is the date determined under section 32(2) of the Act by the public authority responsible for that scheme;

(c) “exception”, in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, means an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme; and

(d) “protected member of the existing public body pension scheme” means a person in respect of whom an exception applies for the purposes of that scheme.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 2 para. 24 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Fair Deal eligible persons transferred out on or before 31st March 2012 N.I.

25.—(1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) P ceased to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on a date (P’s transfer date) on or before 31st March 2012;

(b) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) as an Article 3(3A) eligible person on a date (P’s re-joining date) after 31st March 2012; and

(c) Between P’s transfer date and P’s re-joining date—

(i) P was not eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI); or

(ii) P was only eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of a transfer of the transferred services, and during such period that P would have been eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of the transfer P was–

(aa) an active member of the PCSPS(NI); and

(bb) continuously employed to carry out the transferred services whilst P was eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI).

(3) This sub-paragraph applies if P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) as an Article 3(3A) eligible person continuously after P’s re-joining date.

(4) This sub-paragraph applies if P is a Fair Deal eligible person.

(5) This sub-paragraph applies if P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025.

(6) In this paragraph, “continuously” means without a gap of any period.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 2 para. 25 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Fair Deal eligible persons transferred out after 31st March 2012 N.I.

26.—(1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies if—

(a) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;

(b) P ceased to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) or of this scheme on a date (P’s transfer date) after 31st March 2012;

(c) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme throughout the period between 31st March 2012 and P’s transfer date;

(d) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) as an Article 3(3)(a) eligible person on a date (P’s re-joining date) after P’s transfer date; and

(e) Between P’s transfer date and P’s re-joining date—

(i) P was not eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI); or

(ii) P was only eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of a transfer of the transferred services, and during such period that P would have been eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of the transfer P was–

(aa) an active member of the PCSPS(NI); and

(bb) continuously employed to carry out the transferred services whilst P was eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI).

(3) This sub-paragraph applies if P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) as an Article 3(3A) eligible person continuously after P’s re-joining date.

(4) This sub-paragraph applies if P is a Fair Deal eligible person.

(5) This sub-paragraph applies if, P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—

(i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and

(ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.

(6) In this paragraph, “continuously” means without a gap of any period.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 2 para. 26 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)

Tapered protection members of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme N.I.

27.—(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) paragraph 14 or 15 of this Schedule would have applied but for the fact that P would not have been a fully protected member of the existing scheme or existing public body pension scheme referred to in paragraph 14(1)(c) or 15(2)(c), as applicable (“the transferring scheme”) on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and

(b) P would have been a protected member of the transferring scheme by virtue of an exception to which section 18(8)(a) and (b) of the Act (or that section as applied by section 32(4)) applies had P re-entered service which is pensionable under the transferring scheme on the date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI).

(2) In this paragraph— “exception” means–

(a) in relation to an existing scheme, an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6)of the Act provided for in the scheme regulations for that scheme;

(b) in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme; and

“fully protected member” of an existing scheme or an existing public body scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies, which exception is one to which section 18(7) of the Act (or that section as applied by section 32(4)) applies for the purposes of that scheme.

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 2 para. 27 in operation at 18.12.2014, see reg. 1(2)