Finance Act 2004

16 (1) This paragraph specifies the post-commencement earnings limit if the individual was on 5th April 2006 a person in relation to [F1 whom— U.K.

(a) section 590C of ICTA or paragraph 20 of Schedule 6 to FA 1989 (earnings cap) had effect, or

(b) provision similar to section 590C of ICTA had effect by virtue of conditions imposed under section 591 of that Act (discretionary approval),

in] relation to any pension scheme under which the arrangement or any other arrangement related to the arrangement was made.

(2) The post-commencement earnings limit is the lesser of amount A and amount B.

(3) Amount A is [F2 £135,000.]

(4) Amount B is the amount of the individual’s employment income from the employment to which the arrangement relates for the best period of 12 months during the appropriate three year period.

(5) The appropriate three year period is the period of three years ending with [F3 the earliest of—

(a) the first relevant event,

(b) the individual leaving the employment to which the arrangement relates, and

(c) the individual's death].

[F4 (5A) Where the appropriate three year period ends otherwise than with the first relevant event, Amount B is what it would be apart from this sub-paragraph increased by whichever is the greatest of—

(a) the percentage by which an amount would be increased if it were increased for the period beginning with the date on which it ends and ending with the date on which the relevant event occurs at an annual rate of 5%,

(b) the percentage by which an amount would be increased if it were increased for that period at an annual percentage rate referred to in regulations made by the Board of Inland Revenue, or

(c) the percentage by which the retail prices index for the month in which the first relevant event occurs is higher than that for the month in which the appropriate period ends.]

(6) A period of 12 months during the appropriate three year period is the best period of 12 months during the appropriate three year period if the amount of the individual’s employment income from the employment to which the arrangement relates is greater for that period of 12 months than for any other period of 12 months during the appropriate three year period.

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph 17 the amount of the individual’s employment income includes, in relation to any time when the individual is absent from work in connection with pregnancy, maternity, paternity or adoption, what would be likely to be included in that amount if the individual were not so absent.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 36 para. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2006) by Finance Act 2005 (c. 7), Sch. 10 paras. 53(12), 64(1)

F2 Sum in Sch. 36 para. 16(3) substituted (for the tax year 2024-25 and subsequent tax years) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), Sch. 9 paras. 74, 124 (with Sch. 9 paras. 125-132A) (as amended by S.I. 2024/356, regs. 1, 4)

F3 Words in Sch. 36 para. 16(5) substituted (6.4.2006) by Finance Act 2005 (c. 7), Sch. 10 paras. 53(13), 64(1)

F4 Sch. 36 para. 16(5A) inserted (6.4.2006) by Finance Act 2005 (c. 7), Sch. 10 paras. 53(14), 64(1)