Pensions Act 2004

149 Circumstances in which Board ceases to be involved with an eligible scheme E+W+S

(1) Where an assessment period begins in relation to an eligible scheme, the Board ceases to be involved with the scheme, for the purposes of this Part, on the occurrence of the first withdrawal event after the beginning of that period.

(2) For this purpose the following are withdrawal events in relation to a scheme—

(a) a withdrawal notice issued under section 122(2)(b) (scheme rescue has occurred) becoming binding;

(b) a withdrawal notice issued under section 130(3) (scheme rescue has occurred) becoming binding;

(c) a withdrawal notice issued under or by virtue of section 146 or 147 (refusal to assume responsibility) becoming binding;

(d) a withdrawal notice issued under section 148 (no insolvency event has occurred or is likely to occur) becoming binding;

and references in this Chapter to a “withdrawal event” are to be construed accordingly.

(3) Subsection (4) applies where a withdrawal notice mentioned in subsection (2) is issued in relation to a scheme and becomes binding and—

(a) an insolvency event in relation to the employer occurs during the interim period and, if subsection (4) did not apply, the event would not be a qualifying insolvency event within the meaning given by subsection (3) of section 127 solely because the condition in sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (b) of that subsection would not be satisfied, or

(b) an application under section 129(1) is made, or a notification under section 129(5)(a) is given, in relation to the scheme during the interim period and, if subsection (4) did not apply, the application or notification would be disregarded for the purposes of—

(i) subsection (1) of section 128 by virtue of subsection (4) of that section, and

(ii) subsection (4) of section 132 by virtue of subsection (5) of that section.

(4) In such a case, the withdrawal notice is to be treated for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), as if the time when it became binding was the time immediately before—

(a) in a case falling within subsection (3)(a), the occurrence of the insolvency event, and

(b) in a case falling within subsection (3)(b), the making of the application under section 129(1) or, as the case may be, the giving of the notification under section 129(5)(a).

(5) For the purposes of subsection (3), the “interim period” in relation to a scheme means the period beginning with the issuing of the withdrawal notice in relation to the scheme and ending with that notice becoming binding.

(6) For the purposes of this Chapter—

(a) the occurrence of a withdrawal event in relation to a scheme in respect of a withdrawal notice issued during a particular period (“the specified period”) is a possibility until each of the following are no longer reviewable—

(i) any withdrawal notice which has been issued in relation to the scheme during the specified period,

(ii) any failure to issue such a withdrawal notice during the specified period,

(iii) any notice which has been issued by the Board under Chapter 2 or this Chapter which is relevant to the issue of a withdrawal notice in relation to the scheme during the specified period or to such a withdrawal notice which has been issued during that period becoming binding,

(iv) any failure to issue such a notice as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (iii), and

(b) the issue of, or failure to issue, a notice is to be regarded as reviewable—

(i) during the period within which it may be reviewed by virtue of Chapter 6, and

(ii) if the matter is so reviewed, until—

(a) the review and any reconsideration,

(b) any reference to the PPF Ombudsman in respect of the matter, and

(c) any appeal against his determination or directions,

has been finally disposed of.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2 modified (8.3.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pension Protection Fund (Partially Guaranteed Schemes) (Modification) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/277), regs. 1(1), 2-11

C2 Pt. 2 modified in part (9.3.2005 for specified purposes, 1.4.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force (except ch. 4)) by The Pension Protection Fund (Multi-employer Schemes) (Modification) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/441), regs. 1, 2-60, 71, 72

Commencement Information

I1 S. 149 in force at 6.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/275, art. 2(7), Sch. Pt. 7