The Occupational Pension Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

Trustees’ second notice to beneficiaries in respect of discharge options

13.—(1) The trustees of a collective money purchase scheme that is pursuing continuity option 1 must send a second notice to each beneficiary of the scheme containing the information mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), in accordance with sub-paragraph (3).

(2) The information is—

(a) the proposed discharge time;

(b) an estimate of the amount that represents the value of the beneficiary’s accrued rights to benefits under the scheme based on the latest quantification in relation to the beneficiary;

(c) details of the default discharge option for the beneficiary including the nature of the arrangement it is proposed will be used to discharge the scheme’s liability to the beneficiary and the name of the scheme or insurers the trustees propose to use;

(d) that the scheme’s liability to the beneficiary in respect of the value of the beneficiary’s accrued rights to benefits under the scheme will be discharged by the default discharge option unless the beneficiary specifies otherwise;

(e) where the beneficiary can obtain information and guidance about the default discharge option;

(f) details of the beneficiary’s right to choose whether the value of the beneficiary’s accrued rights to benefits under the scheme are discharged by—

(i) the default discharge option proposed by the trustees, or

(ii) an alternative option specified by the beneficiary;

(g) the requirement for a beneficiary who wishes to specify an alternative option to send the trustees of the collective money purchase scheme a notice in accordance with paragraph 14;

(h) details of the alternative options available to the beneficiary in accordance with paragraph 14(2);

(i) details of the beneficiary’s rights under Chapter 2 of Part 4ZA of the 1993 Act (early leavers: cash transfer sums and contribution refunds);

(j) details of where the beneficiary can obtain information and guidance about the alternative options available to the beneficiary;

(k) next steps and the timetable for future communications with beneficiaries.

(3) A notice under this paragraph must be sent before the end of the period of one month beginning with the date on which the winding-up quantification was completed.