The National Health Service Pension Scheme Regulations 1995

PART L E+W+S Early leavers

Preserved pension E+W+S

L1.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a member who leaves pensionable employment before age 60 without becoming entitled to a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5 shall be entitled to receive a pension and retirement lump sum under this regulation from age 60 if—

(a) the member leaves with at least 2 years’ qualifying service, or

(b) a transfer payment has been made to the scheme in respect of the member’s rights under a personal pension scheme.

[F1 (2) The pension under this regulation will be calculated–

(a) where it becomes payable by virtue of paragraph (3)(d) below, in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4) of regulation E5, as if it were a pension under that regulation; and

(b) in any other case, as described in regulation E1 [F2 as if it were a pension under that regulation];

and the retirement lump sum will be calculated as described in regulation E6.]

(3) The member shall be entitled to receive the pension and retirement lump sum before age 60 if—

(a) the member is in NHS employment and the Secretary of State is satisfied that the member is suffering from mental or physical infirmity that makes him permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of that employment;

(b) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the member is suffering from mental or physical infirmity that makes him permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment [F3 of like duration]; or

(c) some other pension becomes payable to the member under any of regulations E1 to E5;

[F4 (d) the member—

(i) left pensionable employment after 30th March 2000,

(ii) has reached the [F5 normal minimum pension age or, where relevant, protected pension age], and

(iii) has applied to the Secretary of State for payment of the pension and retirement lump sum under this regulation.]

[F6 (4) Except in a case to which paragraph (4A) applies—

(a) if the member is in NHS employment at the relevant time (whether with the same or another employing authority), the pension and lump sum on retirement will not become payable until the member leaves NHS employment or, if sooner—

(i) when the member attains the age of 70, if he attains that age on or before 31st March 2008; or

(ii) when the member attains the age of 75, if he attains the age of 70 on or after 1st April 2008;

(b) the relevant time—

(i) in the case of a member to whom sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph (3) applies, is when he makes the application referred to in head (iii) of that sub-paragraph; or

(ii) in any other case, when the member attains the age of 60.]

[F7 (4A) Paragraph (4) may not apply where the NHS employment which the member is in when he reaches age 60 is employment into which he has been transferred as a result of a transfer of an undertaking to the employer.

(4B) Where a member receives a pension under paragraph (1) while being in the new employment to which paragraph (4A) applies—

(a) his benefits in respect of any pensionable service in that new employment shall be calculated without regard to any pensionable service in any earlier employment;

(b) for the purposes of regulation C2 (meaning of “pensionable service”) and regulation D1(3) and (4) (contributions by members), his service in the earlier employment and in the new employment shall be aggregated.]

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where on or after the coming into force of these Regulations a member becomes entitled to a pension under paragraph (3)(a) or (b), the Secretary of State may discharge her liability for that pension by the payment of a lump sum [F8 of an amount consistent with—

(a) the contracting-out and preservation requirements of the 1993 Act; and

(b) the lump sum rule].

(6) A lump sum payment under paragraph (5) may be made only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is appropriate in all the circumstances having regard to the life expectancy of the member and the member was in pensionable employment on or after the coming into force of these Regulations.

(7) For the purpose of paragraph (6), the Secretary of State may require whatever medical evidence that she considers necessary.

(8) The amount of the lump sum payable under paragraph (5) will be equal to 5 times the difference between the yearly rate of the member’s pension (calculated in accordance with this regulation) and the yearly rate of the member’s guaranteed minimum pension F9 ... and shall be payable in addition to the lump sum on retirement payable under this regulation, which shall not be subject to any reduction such as is described in regulation E6(3).

[F10 (9) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of the member’s employment under paragraph (3)(a), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (11) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the member’s personal preferences for or against engaging in that employment.

(10) For the purposes of determining whether a member is permanently incapable of regular employment under paragraph (3)(b), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the factors in paragraph (12) (no one of which shall be decisive) and disregard the factors in paragraph (13).

(11) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (9) are—

(a) whether the member has received appropriate medical treatment in respect of the incapacity;

(b) the member’s—

(i) mental capacity; and

(ii) physical capacity;

(c) such type and period of rehabilitation which it would be reasonable for the member to undergo in respect of the member’s incapacity, irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone; and

(d) any other matter which the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(12) The factors to be taken into account for paragraph (10) are—

(a) whether the member has received appropriate medical treatment in respect of the incapacity; and

(b) such reasonable employment as the member would be capable of engaging in if due regard is given to the member’s—

(i) mental capacity;

(ii) physical capacity;

(iii) previous training; and

(iv) previous practical, professional and vocational experience,

irrespective of whether or not such employment is actually available to the member;

(c) such type and period of rehabilitation which it would be reasonable for the member to undergo in respect of the member’s incapacity (irrespective of whether such rehabilitation is undergone) having regard to the member’s—

(i) mental capacity, and

(ii) physical capacity:

(d) such type and period of training which it would be reasonable for the member to undergo in respect of the member’s incapacity (irrespective of whether such traning is undergone) having regard to the member’s—

(i) mental capacity,

(ii) physical capacity,

(iii) previous training, and

(iv) previous practical, professional and vocational experience, and

(e) any other matter which the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(13) The factors to be disregarded for paragraph (10) are—

(a) the member’s personal preference for or against engaging in any particular employment; and

(b) the geographical location of the member.

(14) For the purpose of this regulation—

“appropriate medical treatment” means such medical treatment as it would be normal to receive in respect of the incapacity, but does not include any treatment that the Secretary of State considers—

(a)

that it would be reasonable for the member to refuse,

(b)

would provide no benefit to restoring the member’s capacity for—

(i)

efficiently discharging the duties of the member’s employment under paragraph (3)(a), or

(ii)

regular employment of like duration under paragraph (3)(b),

before the member reaches normal benefit age; and

(c)

that, through no fault on the part of the member, it is not possible for the member to receive before the member reaches normal benefit age;

[F11 “NHS employment” does not include employment with an employing authority in respect of which the member is eligible to join the 2008 scheme;]

“permanently” means the period until normal benefit age; and

“regular employment of like duration” means—

(a)

in the case of a member who was a non-GP provider, such employment as the Secretary of State considers would involve a similar level of engagement to the member’s pensionable service as a non-GP provider immediately before that service ceased; and

(b)

in all other cases, where prior to leaving employment that was pensionable the member was employed—

(i)

on a whole-time basis, regular employment on a whole-time basis;

(ii)

on a part-time basis, regular employment on a part-time basis,

regard being had to the number of hours, half-days and sessions the member worked in that employment.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. L1(2) substituted (31.3.2000) by The National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/605), regs. 1(1)(a), 8(a)

F2 Words in reg. L1(2)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 38(2)

F3 Words in reg. L1(3)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 38(3)

F4 Reg. L1(3)(d) inserted (31.3.2000) by The National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/605), regs. 1(1)(a), 8(b)

F5 Words in reg. L1(3)(d)(ii) substituted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The National Health Service (Pension Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions) Amendment Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/600), regs. 1(2)(b), 13

F6 Reg. L1(4) substituted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 38(4)

F7 Reg. L1(4A)(4B) inserted (1.4.2003) by The National Health Service (Pension Scheme, Injury Benefits and Compensation for Premature Retirement) Amendment Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/631), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 2(b)

F8 Words in reg. L1(5) added (1.4.2009) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme and Injury Benefits (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/381), regs. 1(2), 9 (with reg. 89)

F9 Words in reg. L1(8) omitted (with effect from 1.4.1998) by virtue of The National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Injury Benefits) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/665), regs. 1(1)(2), 3(4)

F10 Reg. L1(9)-(14) inserted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 38(5)

F11 Words in reg. L1(14) inserted (1.10.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme and Injury Benefits (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2263), regs. 1(2)(3), 10 (with reg. 93)

Refund of contributions E+W+S

L2.— [F12 (1) A member who leaves pensionable employment without becoming entitled to a pension under regulations E1 to E5 or a preserved pension under regulation L1 shall be entitled to receive a lump sum refund of his contributions, less tax at—

(a) 20 per cent (or at such other rate as applies from time to time) in respect of so much of the lump sum as does not exceed £10,800 (or such other amount as applies from time to time); and

(b) 40 per cent (or at such other rate as applies from time to time) in respect of so much (if any) of it as exceeds that limit.]

(2) A member who wishes to take a refund of contributions must apply in writing to the Secretary of State.

[F13 (2A) An application in writing referred to in paragraph (2) may be—

(a) made or given by means of an electronic communication that is approved by the Secretary of State for that purpose;

(b) given to the Secretary of State by a person other than the member.]

[F14 (3) If the member’s employment was contracted-out by reference to the scheme, the member (and the member’s spouse or civil partner, if any) will remain entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension and section 9(2B) rights under the scheme, unless the Secretary of State discharges her liability in respect of that entitlement by paying a contributions equivalent premium under section 55(2) of the 1993 Act.]

(4) If a contributions equivalent premium is paid, the member’s refund of contributions will be reduced by the amount recoverable under section 61 of the Pensions Schemes Act 1993 (deduction of contributions equivalent premium from refund of contributions).

(5) If a contributions equivalent premium is not paid, the member’s refund of contributions will be reduced by the amount that the Secretary of State estimates would have been recoverable under section 61 of the Pensions Schemes Act 1993 if the premium had been paid.

(6) A member shall not be entitled to a refund of contributions for any period of service in respect of which the Secretary of State has received a transfer payment in respect of his rights under a personal pension scheme.

(7) Where a refund of contributions is made, the Secretary of State shall be discharged from any obligation to provide benefits under the scheme except to any extent provided for under paragraph (3).

Textual Amendments

F12 Reg. L2(1) substituted (6.4.2006) by The National Health Service (Pension Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions) Amendment Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/600), regs. 1(2)(b), 14

F13 Reg. L2(2A) inserted (1.10.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme and Injury Benefits (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2263), regs. 1(2)(3), 11 (with reg. 93)

F14 Reg. L2(3) substituted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 39

Payment of interest with refund of contributions E+W+S

L3.—(1) Compound interest will be added to a refund of contributions under regulation L2, except where the employment was terminated by reason of misconduct or inefficiency or at the member’s request.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where compound interest is added to a refund of contributions, it will be calculated at the rate of 2.5 per cent. per year, for the period starting on the 1st April after the contributions were paid and ending on the day the member leaves pensionable employment.

(3) In the case of any contributions paid under another enactment or scheme and included in a transfer payment to the scheme, interest for the period before the transfer payment was accepted will be calculated as described in the enactment or scheme from which the transfer payment was received.

Early leavers returning to pensionable employment E+W+S

L4.—(1) This regulation applies to any member who leaves pensionable employment without becoming entitled to a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5 and later returns to pensionable employment before becoming entitled to receive a pension under the scheme.

(2) If the member leaves pensionable employment with a preserved pension under regulation L1 and then returns to pensionable employment within 12 months after leaving, the member will cease to be entitled to the preserved pension under regulation L1 and the member’s pensionable service before and after the break in pensionable employment will be treated as continuous.

(3) Subject to paragraph (5), if the member leaves pensionable employment with a preserved pension under regulation L1 and then returns to pensionable employment 12 months or more after leaving—

(a) the member’s pensionable service before and after the break in pensionable employment will be treated separately unless, when the member becomes entitled to receive a pension or the member dies (whichever occurs first), it would be more favourable to the member, or the member’s spouse [F15 or civil partner], to treat the member’s pensionable service before and after the break, and all such other breaks (if any), as continuous; and

(b) if the member becomes entitled to receive a pension under regulation E2 [F16 or E2A], the pensionable service upon which that pension is based will be increased as described in paragraphs (4) to (6) of that regulation if the member’s pensionable service before and after the break in pensionable employment is treated as continuous, but there will be no increase to any of the member’s pensionable service if the member’s pensionable service before and after the break is treated separately.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), if the member leaves pensionable employment without becoming entitled to a preserved pension and then returns to pensionable employment within 12 months after leaving, the member’s pensionable service before and after the break in pensionable employment will be treated as continuous.

(5) Where paragraph (4) applies and the member has received a refund of contributions under regulation L2 in respect of pensionable service before the break in pensionable employment, the member’s pensionable service before and after the break will be treated as continuous only if, within 6 months after rejoining the scheme, the member pays to the Secretary of State an amount equal to the refund of contributions (including any interest added under regulation L3).

(6) If a member leaves pensionable employment with a preserved pension and, after returning, again leaves pensionable employment without becoming entitled to a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5, the member will be entitled to a preserved pension under regulation L1 in respect of the period after the break in pensionable employment whether or not he has 2 years’ qualifying service in respect of that period.

(7) A member whose pensionable service before and after a break in pensionable employment is treated as continuous and who, before the break, was paying for additional benefits by regular additional contributions under regulation Q6 (paying for additional service or unreduced retirement lump sum by regular additional contributions) must continue to pay for those additional benefits after the break.

[F17 (7A) Practice staff who were employed by a registered medical practitioner on both 31st August 1997 and 1st September 1997 and who—

(a) had previously been compulsorily transferred from employment with a body referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of the definition of “employing authority” in regulation A2, to employment with a registered medical practitioner referred to in paragraph (e) of that definition;

(b) were at the time of the transfer paying for additional benefits by regular additional contributions under regulation Q6; and

(c) rejoined the scheme with effect from 1st September 1997;

may resume payment of those additional contributions at such percentage rate, of current pensionable pay as applied prior to that transfer above, provided that payment of those contributions is resumed with effect from 1st September 1997.]

[F18 (8) If a member’s pensionable employment before and after a break in pensionable employment (the “pre-break period” and the “post-break period” respectively) is treated separately, the member’s benefits in respect of such employment in the pre-break period and the post-break period shall be calculated—

(a) separately; and

(b) by reference to—

(i) the member’s pensionable service comprising that pre-break or post-break period as the case may be; and

(ii) his final year’s pensionable pay in respect of that particular period,

as if that period had been his only period of pensionable employment.]

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in reg. L4(3)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by The National Health Service (Pension Scheme, Injury Benefits, Additional Voluntary Contributions and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Civil Partnership) Amendment Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3074), regs. 1, 2(20)

F16 Words in reg. L4(3)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/654), regs. 1(2), 40

F17 Reg. L4(7A) inserted (1.4.1998) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/666), regs. 1, 7

F18 Reg. L4(8) substituted (with effect from 1.4.2003) by The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2322), regs. 1(1)(2)(b), 2(4)