44.—(1) The scheme manager may accept a buy-out election by giving written notice to the person who made the election (M).
(2) The notice must state—
(a)the rate of the monthly payments determined under regulation 46; and
(b)the date on which M reaches prospective normal pension age.
(3) A buy-out election takes effect when M receives notice that the scheme manager has accepted the election.
(4) The buy-out period is the number of scheme years starting with (and including) the scheme year in which the buy-out election takes effect and ending with (and including) the scheme year in which the earliest of the following occurs—
(a)M revokes or is taken to have revoked the election;
(b)M ceases to be a member of the scheme;
(c)M reaches normal pension age.
(5) The buy-out period does not include a scheme year in which payment of buy-out contributions is suspended by virtue of regulation 48.