The Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997

Forfeiture of occupational pension

6.—(1) For the purposes of section 92(6) of the 1995 Act (a pension under an occupational pension scheme cannot be forfeited except in prescribed circumstances) the prescribed circumstances are where—

(a) a pension is payable to a member’s widow or widower, dependant or any other person who is nominated under the scheme rules by the member and that person is convicted of the offence of murder or manslaughter of that member or any other offence of which unlawful killing of that member is an element;

(b) a person in respect of whom a pension is or would have been payable has caused a monetary loss to the scheme as a result of—

(i) a criminal, negligent or fraudulent act or omission by him, or

(ii) in the case of a trust scheme of which the person is a trustee, a breach of trust by him;

(c) in the case of a public service pension scheme—

(i) the member is convicted of an offence committed in connection with his service as a public servant, and

(ii) a Minister of the Crown certifies that the commission of that offence has been gravely injurious to the interests of the State or is liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service;

(d) in the case of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme—

(i) the member is convicted of an offence committed in connection with his service as a member of the Armed Forces, and

(ii) the Secretary of State considers that offence to have been gravely injurious to the defence, security or other interests of the State.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) unlawful killing shall include the case of a person who has unlawfully aided, abetted, counselled or procured the death of a person.

(3) A person’s entitlement or accrued right to a pension may be forfeited under paragraph (1)(b) to the extent only that it does not exceed the amount of the monetary loss to the scheme, or (if less) the value of the person’s entitlement or accrued right under the scheme.