Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993

176 General interpretation. N.I.

(1) In this Act—

• F1 ...

• [F2 “abolition date” means the day appointed for the commencement of section 13(1) of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;]

• “age”, in relation to any person, shall be construed so that—

  (a)

  he is over or under a particular age if he has or, as the case may be, has not attained that age;

  (b)

  he is between two particular ages if he has attained the first but not the second;

• [F3 “appropriate scheme” and “appropriate scheme certificate” are to be construed in accordance with section 176A;]

• “the Assembly” means the Northern Ireland Assembly;

• F4 ...

• “Category A retirement pension” and “Category B retirement pension” mean the retirement pensions of those descriptions payable under Part II of the M1 Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• [F5 “civil recovery order” means an order under section 266 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 or an order under section 276 imposing the requirement mentioned in section 277(3).]

• “contract of service” has the same meaning as in section 121(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• “contracted-out employment” shall be construed in accordance with section 4;

• F6 ...

• “contracting-out certificate” and references to a contracted-out scheme and to contracting-out shall be construed in accordance with section 3 [F7 and section 176A];

• “contributions equivalent premium” has the meaning given in section [F8 51(2)];

• “the Department” means the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland;

• “the Department of Finance and Personnel” means the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland;

• “earner” and “earnings” shall be construed in accordance with sections 3, 4 and 112 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• “earnings factors” shall be construed in accordance with sections 22 and 23 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• [F9 “EEA agreement” means the agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992, together with the Protocol adjusting that Agreement signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993, as modified or supplemented from time to time;

• “EEA state”, in relation to any time, means—

  (a)

  a state which at that time is a member State, or

  (b)

  any other state which at that time is a party to the EEA agreement;]

• [F10 “employed earner” and “self-employed earner” have the meanings given by section 2 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;]

• “employee” means a person gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service or in an office (including an elective office) with [F11 earnings ] ;

• “employer” means—

  (a)

  in the case of an employed earner employed under a contract of service, his employer;

  (b)

  in the case of an employed earner employed in an office with emoluments—

  (i)

  such person as may be prescribed in relation to that office; or

  (ii)

  if no person is prescribed, the government department, public authority or body of persons responsible for paying the emoluments of the office;

• “employment” includes any trade, business, profession, office or vocation and “employed” shall be construed accordingly except in the expression “employed earner”;

• [F12 “Financial Services Compensation Scheme” means the Financial Services Compensation Scheme referred to in section 213(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;”.]

• F13 ...

• F14 ...

• “government department” includes a department of the government of the United Kingdom;

• “guaranteed minimum pension” has the meaning given in section 4(2);

• [F2 “HMRC” means the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;]

• “independent trade union” has the meaning given in Article 2(2) of the M2 Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992;

• “industrial tribunal” means a tribunal established or having effect as if established under [F15 Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996];

• “the Inland Revenue” means the Commissioners of Inland Revenue;

• F16 ...

• F17 ...

• “linked qualifying service” has the meaning given in section 174;

• “long-term benefit” has the meaning given in section 20(2) of the M3 Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• “lower earnings limit” and “upper earnings limit” shall be construed in accordance with section 5 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and “current”, in relation to those limits, means for the time being in force;

• “minimum contributions” shall be construed in accordance with sections 39 to 41;

• “minimum payment” has the meaning given in section 4(2);

• “modifications” includes additions, omissions and amendments;

• “money purchase benefits”, in relation to a member of a personal or occupational pension scheme or the [F18 widow, widower or surviving civil partner] of a member of such a scheme, means benefits the rate or amount of which is calculated by reference to a payment or payments made by the member or by any other person in respect of the member and [F19 which fall within section 176B];

• [F20 “money purchase contracted-out scheme” is to be construed in accordance with section 176A;]

• [F21 “money purchase scheme” means a pension scheme under which all the benefits that may be provided are money purchase benefits;]

• “National Insurance Fund” means the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund;

• “normal pension age” has the meaning given in section 175;

• “occupational pension scheme” has the meaning given in section 1;

• [F22 “overseas arrangement” means a scheme or arrangement which—

  (a)

  has effect, or is capable of having effect, so as to provide benefits on termination of employment or on death or retirement to or in respect of earners;

  (b)

  is administered wholly or primarily outside Northern Ireland;

  (c)

  is not an appropriate scheme; and

  (d)

  is not an occupational pension scheme;]

• [F23 “pension credit” means a credit under Article 26(1)(b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 or under section 29(1)(b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999;]

• [F24 “pensionable age”—

  (a)

  so far as any provisions (other than sections 42 to 44) relate to guaranteed minimum pensions, means the age of 65 in the case of a man and the age of 60 in the case of a woman, and

  (b)

  in any other case, has the meaning given by the rules in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

  (c)

  “pensionable service” has the meaning given in section 66(2);

• [F25 “pension debit” means a debit under Article 26(1)(a) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999;]

• ...

• F26 ...

• “personal pension scheme” has the meaning given in section 1;

• “prescribe” means prescribe by regulations;

• F27 ...

• “the preservation requirements” has the meaning given in section 65(2);

• [F28 “the principal appointed day” has the meaning assigned by section 3(2B);]

• “primary Class 1 contributions” and “secondary Class 1 contributions” have the same meanings as in section 6 of the M4 Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• “protected rights” has the meaning given in section 6 [F29 , as it had effect immediately prior to the abolition date];

• “public service pension scheme” has the meaning given in section 1;

• F30 ...

• F30 ...

• “regulations” means regulations made by the Department under this Act;

• “ the Regulatory Authority” [F31 means the Pensions Regulator;

• “resources”, in relation to an occupational pension scheme, means the funds out of which the benefits provided by the scheme are payable from time to time, including the proceeds of any policy of insurance taken out, or annuity contract entered into, for the purposes of the scheme;

• “rights”, in relation to accrued rights (within the meaning of section 69 F32 ... or 174) or transfer credits, includes rights to benefit and also options to have benefits paid in a particular form or at a particular time;

• F33 ...

• ...

• “short service benefit” has the meaning given in section 67(2);

• F34 ...

• F35 ...

• “tax week” means one of the successive periods in a tax year beginning with the first day of that year and every seventh day thereafter, the last day of a tax year (or, in a leap year, the last two days) being treated accordingly as a separate tax week;

• “tax year” means the 12 months beginning with 6th April in any year;

• “transfer credits” means rights allowed to an earner under the rules of an occupational pension scheme by reference to[F36 —

  (a)

  a transfer to the scheme of, or transfer payment to the trustees or managers of the scheme in respect of, any of his rights (including transfer credits allowed) under another occupational pension scheme or a personal pension scheme, other than rights attributable (directly or indirectly) to a pension credit, or

  (b)

  a cash transfer sum paid under [F37 Chapter 2 of Part 4ZA] in respect of him, to the trustees or managers of the scheme;]

• [F38 “the upper accrual point” has the meaning given by section 121 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;]

• F39 ...

• F30 ...

• “week” means a period of seven days beginning with Sunday;

• “[F40 working life” , in relation to a person, means the period beginning with the tax year in which the person attains the age of 16 and ending with —

  (a)

  the tax year before the one in which the person attains the age of 65 in the case of a man or 60 in the case of a woman, or

  (b)

  if earlier, the tax year before the one in which the person dies.]

(2) References to employers in the provisions of this Act (other than sections 119 to 123, 153 [F41 and 156] (“the excluded provisions”)) are to be treated, in relation to persons within the application of an occupational pension scheme and qualifying or prospectively qualifying for its benefits, as including references to persons who in relation to them and their employment are treated by regulations as being employers for the purposes of those provisions.

(3) Subject to any such regulations, references to an employer in any of the provisions of this Act (other than the excluded provisions or F42 ... Chapter I of Part IV, Part VIII so far as it applies for the purposes of Chapter I of Part IV, sections F43 ... 149(2), 154(1) to (5), 158, 159 F44 ... and 171) shall, in relation to an earner employed in an office with emoluments, be construed as references to—

(a) such person as may be prescribed in relation to that office; or

(b) if no person is prescribed, the government department, public authority or body of persons responsible for paying the emoluments of that office.

(4) Regulations may for any purpose of any provision of this Act (other than the excluded provisions or section F45 ... F46 ... F47 ... F48 ... 39, F49 ... 107, 156, 160 or 161) prescribe the persons who are to be regarded as members or prospective members of an occupational pension scheme and as to the times at which and the circumstances in which a person is to be treated as becoming, or as ceasing to be, a member or prospective member.

(5) In sections 161 and 162—

(a) references to the United Kingdom include references to the territorial waters of the United Kingdom; and

(b) references to Northern Ireland include references to the territorial waters of the United Kingdom adjacent to Northern Ireland.

(6) Any reference in section 180 or 181 to an order or regulations under this Act includes a reference to an order or regulations made under any provision of an enactment passed after this Act and directed to be construed as one with it; but this subsection applies only so far as a contrary intention is not expressed in the enactment so passed, and shall be without prejudice to the generality of any such direction.

(7) The M5 Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to this Act—

(a) as it applies to a Measure of the Assembly;

(b) as if any reference in that Act to an enactment or an Act included a reference to this Act.

(8) For the purposes of Part III of the M6 Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (validity of Measures of the Assembly, including Orders in Council under the M7 Northern Ireland Act 1974), provisions of this Act which re-enact provisions of such an Order are to be treated as provisions of such an Order.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Definition of “accrued rights premium” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F2 Words in s. 176(1) inserted (6.4.2012) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), ss. 13(4), 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 34(2)(a) (with Sch. 4 Pt. 3); S.R. 2012/115, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.2012) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), ss. 13(4), 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 34(2)(b) (with Sch. 4 Pt. 3); S.R. 2012/115, art. 2

F4 Definition of “the Board” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F5 Words in s. 176(1) inserted (24.2.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), s. 458(1), Sch. 11 para. 23(6); S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

F6 Definition of “contracted-out protected rights premium” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F7 Words in s. 176(1) added (6.4.2012) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), ss. 13(4), 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 34(2)(c) (with Sch. 4 Pt. 3); S.R. 2012/115, art. 2

F8 Words in the definition of “contributions equivalent premium” in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 147, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(ii); S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F9 Words in s. 176(1) inserted (26.11.2007) by The Occupational Pension Schemes (EEA States) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/457), regs. 1(1), 2(5)

F10 S. 176(1): Definition of “employed earner” substituted (1.12.1999 for certain purposes and otherwise 25.4.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(5)(a), 17, Sch. 2 para. 2(b) (with transitional provisions in art. 75(1)); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. II

F11 Word in s. 176(1) substituted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(4), Sch. 2 para. 14

F12 S. 176(1): Definition of "Financial Services Compensation Scheme" inserted (3.7.2002) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1555) {art. 22}

F13 Words in s. 176(1) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 10 Pt. 6 Note 1(b) of the amending Act) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 73)

F14 Definition of “equal access requirements” in s. 176(1) repealed (1.1.1996) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 119, 168, Sch. 1 para. 36(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. I (with art. 118(5)(6)); S.R. 1995/477, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F15 Words in the definition of “industrial tribunal” in s. 176(1) substituted (24.9.1996) by S.I. 1996/1921 (N.I. 18), arts. 1(2), 26, Sch. 1 para. 10

F16 S. 176(1): definition of “insurance company” repealed (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 137(2)

F17 Definition of “limited revaluation premium” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F18 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), Sch. para. 19

F19 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (retrospective to 1.1.1997) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (c. 3 (N.I.)), ss. 27(1)(5), 34(3); S.R. 2014/203, art. 2

F20 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.2012) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), ss. 13(4), 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 34(2)(d) (with Sch. 4 Pt. 3); S.R. 2012/115, art. 2

F21 Definition of “money purchase scheme” in s. 176(1) substituted (19.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 165, Sch. 4 para. 13(a); S.R. 1995/477, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

F22 S. 176(1): Definition of “overseas arrangement” inserted (1.1.2001) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 52, Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 2(3) (with s. 66(6)); S.R. 2000/374, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

F23 S. 176(1): Definition of “pension credit” inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 30(a); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F24 Definition of “pensionable age” in s. 176(1) substituted (16.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3)(a), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 13

F25 S. 176(1): Definition of “pension debit” inserted (1.12.1999 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(5)(a), 29(5); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F26 Definition of “personal pension protected rights premium” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F27 S. 176(1): Definition of “the prescribed equivalent” repealed (6.4.2000) by 1999 c. 30, s. 88, Sch.13 Pt. VII; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 4(c)(e)

F28 Definition of “the principal appointed day” in s. 176(1) inserted (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 147, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(iii); S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F29 Words in s. 176(1) inserted (6.4.2012) by The Pensions (2008 No. 2 Act) (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/124), arts. 1(b), 4(24)(a)

F30 Words in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.2005 except for the definition of "voluntary contributions requirements", 6.4.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)), art. 1(2), Sch. 11; S.R. 2005/166, art. 2(6), Sch. 1; S.R. 2006/95, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. 3

F31 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)), arts. 1(2), 6(2)(a) (with art. 285(5)); S.R. 2005/48, art. 2(7), Sch. Pt. 7

F32 Word in the definition of “rights” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 168, Sch. 5 Pt. IV; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F33 Words in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.2009) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 10 Pt. 2 (with s. 73); S.R. 2009/22, art. 2(2)(d)

F34 Definition of “state scheme premium” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F35 Words in s. 176(1) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Taxation of Pension Schemes (Consequential Amendments) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/745), arts. 1, 8(7)

F36 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.2006) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)), art. 1(2), Sch. 10 para. 26; S.R. 2005/543, art. 2(6), Sch. Pt. 6

F37 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.2015) by Pension Schemes Act 2015 (c. 8), s. 89(3)(b), Sch. 4 para. 73 (with s. 87)

F38 Words in s. 176(1) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 35

F39 Definition of “transfer premium” in s. 176(1) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(a)(i), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F40 Words in s. 176(1) substituted (6.4.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)), arts. 1(2), 259 (with art. 285(5)); S.R. 2005/48, art. 2(7), Sch. Pt. 7

F41 Words in s. 176(2) substituted (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 119, Sch. 1 para. 36(b) (with art. 118(5)(6)); S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F42 Words in s. 176(3) repealed (6.4.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)), art. 1(2), Sch. 11; S.R. 2005/166, art. 2(6), Sch. 1

F43 Words in s. 176(3) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 165, 168, Sch. 4 para. 13(b), Sch. 5 Pt. IV; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F44 Words in s. 176(3) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 66(b), Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)

F45 Word in s. 176(4) repealed (6.4.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)), art. 1(2), Sch. 11; S.R. 2005/166, art. 2(6), Sch. 1

F46 Words in s. 176(4) omitted (6.4.2012) by virtue of The Pensions (2008 No. 2 Act) (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/124), arts. 1(b), 4(24)(b)(i)

F47 Words in s. 176(4) omitted (6.4.2015) by virtue of The Pensions (2008 No. 2 Act) (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/124), arts. 1(d), 31(7)

F48 Word in s. 176(4) omitted (6.4.2012) by virtue of The Pensions (2008 No. 2 Act) (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/124), arts. 1(b), 4(24)(b)(ii)

F49 Word in s. 176(4) omitted (6.4.2012) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), ss. 13(4), 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 34(3) (with Sch. 4 Pt. 3); S.R. 2012/115, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 176(1) modified by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 67A(3) (as substituted (1.11.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1), arts. 1(2), 239 (with art. 285(5)); S.R. 2005/411, art. 2(5), Sch. Pt. 2)

Marginal Citations

M1 1992 c. 7.

M2 S.I. 1992/807 (N.I. 5).

M3 1992 c. 7.

M4 1992 c. 7.

M5 1954 c. 33 (N.I.).

M6 1973 c. 36.

M7 1974 c. 28.