49Severance arrangements
(1)Regulations under section 25(2)(k) of the 1998 Act (pensions and gratuities in respect of service) may make special provision in respect of persons (“eligible persons”) who—
(a)cease to be police officers serving in the Police Service of Northern Ireland at any time within a period prescribed by the regulations; and
(b)comply with such conditions as may be so prescribed.
(2)The period prescribed under subsection (1)(a) may be a period commencing before the coming into force of this section.
(3)The special provision which may be made by such regulations includes provision modifying the [SR 1988/374.] Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions Regulations 1988 in their application to eligible persons so as to—
(a)increase the amount of any pension or gratuity which would otherwise be payable to such persons under those Regulations;
(b)remove or relax any condition which would otherwise apply as to the entitlement of such persons to any pension or gratuity under those Regulations;
(c)alter the time at or from which any pension or gratuity would otherwise be payable to such persons under those Regulations;
(d)provide for the making of payments to such persons which would otherwise not be made under those Regulations.
(4)Section 62(3) of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 (no regulations relating to pensions to be made under section 25 of the 1998 Act, except after consultation with the Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom) shall not apply in relation to regulations made by virtue of this section.
(5)In section 26(2)(g) of the 1998 Act (application to reserve constables of provision with respect to pensions made under section 25 of that Act)—
(a)after “pensions” insert “or gratuities”;
(b)the reference to provision made under section 25 of the 1998 Act includes reference to provision made by virtue of this section.