Finance Act 2004

Rights to take pension before normal minimum pension age U.K.

21 (1) If paragraph 22 or 23 applies in relation to a registered pension scheme and a member of the pension scheme, this Part of this Act (except for section 218(6) and paragraph 19) has effect in relation to the member and the pension scheme as if references to normal minimum pension age were to the member’s protected pension age. U.K.

(2) Paragraphs 22(8) and 23(8) define the member’s protected pension age.

22 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a registered pension scheme and a member of the pension scheme if— U.K.

(a) the pension scheme is a protected pension scheme, and

(b) the retirement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme.

(2) A pension scheme is a protected pension scheme if condition A or condition B is met.

(3) Condition A is met if—

(a) the pension scheme was within any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of paragraph 1(1), and

(b) the entitlement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme.

(4) The entitlement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme if—

(a) on 5th April 2006 the member had an actual or prospective right under the pension scheme to a pension from an age of less than 55,

(b) the rules of the pension scheme on 10th December 2003 included provision conferring such a right on some or all of the persons who were then members of the pension scheme, and

(c) such a right either was then conferred on the member or would have been had the member been a member of the scheme on that date.

(5) Condition B is met if the member is a member of the pension scheme as a result of a block transfer to it from a pension scheme (“the original pension scheme”) in relation to which condition A is met.

(6) A transfer is a block transfer if—

(a) it involves the transfer in a single transaction of all the sums and assets held for the purposes of, or representing accrued rights under, the arrangements under the pension scheme from which the transfer is made which relate to the member and at least one other member of that pension scheme, and

(b) before the transfer the member was not a member of the pension scheme to which the transfer is made.

(7) The retirement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme if—

(a) the member becomes entitled to all the pensions payable to the member under arrangements under the pension scheme (to which the member did not have an actual entitlement on or before 5th April 2006) on the same date, and

(b) the member is not employed by a sponsoring employer after becoming entitled to a pension under the pension scheme.

(8) The member’s protected pension age is the age from which the member had an actual or prospective right to a pension under the protected pension scheme on 5th April 2006 (or, where condition B is met, under the original pension scheme on that date).

(9) But this paragraph does not have effect so as to give the member a protected pension age of more than 50 at any time before 6th April 2010.

23 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a registered pension scheme and a member of the pension scheme if— U.K.

(a) the pension scheme is a protected pension scheme, and

(b) the retirement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme.

(2) A pension scheme is a protected pension scheme if condition A or condition B is met.

(3) Condition A is met if—

(a) the pension scheme was within paragraph (f) or (g) of paragraph 1(1), and

(b) the entitlement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme.

(4) The entitlement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme if—

(a) on 5th April 2006 the member had an actual or prospective right under the pension scheme to a pension from an age of less than 50, and

(b) the member’s occupation was on that date (or had been) one prescribed by regulations made by the Board of Inland Revenue.

(5) Condition B is met if the member is a member of the pension scheme as a result of a block transfer to it from a pension scheme (“the original pension scheme”) in relation to which condition A is met.

(6) “Block transfer” has the same meaning as in paragraph 22(6).

(7) The retirement condition is met in relation to the member and the pension scheme if the member becomes entitled to all the pensions payable to the member under arrangements under the pension scheme (to which the member did not have an actual entitlement on or before 5th April 2006) on the same date.

(8) The member’s protected pension age is the age from which the member had an actual or prospective right to a pension under the protected pension scheme on 5th April 2006 (or, where condition B is met, under the original pension scheme on that date).