M1In this Chapter—

• “approved”—

  1. a

     in relation to a scheme, means approved by the Board under this Chapter; and

  2. b

     in relation to arrangements, means made in accordance with a scheme which is for the time being, and was when the arrangements were made, an approved scheme;

  but does not refer to cases in which approval has been withdrawn;

• F4“authorised insurance company” has the meaning given by section 659B;

• F5“income withdrawal” means a payment of income, under arrangements made in accordance with a personal pension scheme, otherwise than by way of an annuity;

• “member”, in relation to a personal pension scheme, means an individual who makes arrangements in accordance with the scheme;

• F6“pension date”, in relation to any personal pension arrangements, means the date determined in accordance with the arrangements on which—

  1. a

     an annuity such as is mentioned in section 634 is first payable, or

  2. b

     the member elects to defer the purchase of such an annuity and to make income withdrawals in accordance with section 634A;

• “personal pension arrangements” means arrangements made by an individual in accordance with a personal pension scheme;

• “personal pension scheme” means a scheme whose sole purpose is the provision of annuities F7, income withdrawals or lump sums under arrangements made by individuals in accordance with the scheme;

• “scheme administrator” means the person referred to in section 638(1);

F2and references to an employee or to an employer include references to the holder of an office or to the person under whom an office is held.

The reference in subsection (2)(a) above to the value of the fund from which income withdrawals are to be or have been made under any personal pension arrangements is to the value of the accrued rights to which the person concerned is entitled conferring prospective entitlement to benefits under those arrangements.

The Board may make provision by regulations as to the basis on which the tables mentioned in subsection (2)(b) above are to be prepared and the manner in which they are to be applied.

An application to the Board for their approval of a personal pension scheme shall be in such form, shall contain such information, and shall be accompanied by such documents, in such form, as the Board may prescribe.

The Board may at their discretion grant or refuse an application for approval of a personal pension scheme, but their discretion shall be subject to the restrictions set out in sections 632 to F9638A.

The Board shall give notice to the applicant of the grant or refusal of an application; and in the case of a refusal the notice shall state the grounds for the refusal.

If an amendment is made to an approved scheme without being approved by the Board, their approval of the scheme shall cease to have effect.