PART 6Lifestyling and accessing benefits

First information on accessing benefits19.

(1)

The information mentioned in paragraph (2) must be given in accordance with this regulation to a member who has F1a right or entitlement to flexible benefits .

F2(2)

The information is—

(a)

where the member has been given information in accordance with regulation 18A in the 12 months before the date on which the trustees or managers of the scheme give information under this regulation—

(i)

a statement that the member has been given information about—

(aa)

the flexible benefits that may be provided to the member;

(bb)

the member’s opportunity to transfer those benefits, and

(cc)

the options available to the member under the scheme rules, and

(ii)

that listed in paragraphs 1 to 9 of Schedule 9A, and

(b)

in any other case—

(i)

a statement of the options available to the member under the scheme rules, and

(ii)

where the member has an opportunity to transfer flexible benefits, that listed in Part 3 of Schedule 7 and in Schedule 9A.

(3)

The information must be given at least 4 months before—

(a)

where there is a retirement date, that date, or

(b)

where there is no retirement date, the date the member attains normal pension age24.

(4)

For the purposes of paragraph (3), where the interval between the date on which the retirement date is specified and the date that the benefits will become payable is less than 4 months, the information must be given within F320 days of the date on which the retirement date is specified.

(5)

In this regulation “retirement date” means the date specified by—

(a)

the member to the trustees or managers of the scheme that is acceptable under the rules of the scheme, or

(b)

the trustees or managers of the scheme where no acceptable date has been specified under sub-paragraph (a).