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The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule

Publication 2010-03-19

Last updated 2024-01-26

State In force

Jurisdiction Northern Ireland

Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Reform history JSON API

Made: 19th March 2010

Coming into operation: 1st October 2012

The Department for Social Development makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 107A(15)(b) and 177(2) to (4) of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993[^f00001] and Articles 49(8) and 166(1) to (3) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995[^f00002], and now vested in it[^f00003], and sections 2(3), 3(2), (5) and (6), 4(1) and (3), 5(2), (4) and (6) to (8), 6(1)(b) and (2), 7(4) to (6), 8(2)(b) and (3) to (6), 9(3), 10, 15, 16(2) and (3)(c), 18(c), 22(4) to (7), 23(1)(b) and (3), 24(1), 25, 27, 30(6)(c), 33(2), 37(3) and 113(2) of the Pensions (No.2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008[^f00004].

PART 1 — General

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and shall come into operation on 1st July 2012 immediately after the coming into operation of regulation 2 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.

(2) In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;

“the 1993 Act” means the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993;

“the 1995 Order” means the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;

“applicable pay reference period” means—a period of one week, orin the case of a jobholder who is paid their regular wage or salary by reference to a period longer than a week, that period;

“automatic enrolment date” has the meaning given by section 3(7);

“automatic re-enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 12;

“enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 18(6);

“enrolment information” has the meaning given by regulation 2;

“jobholder information” has the meaning given by regulation 3;

“joining notice” means a notice given under section 9(2);

“opt in” means the jobholder’s right under section 7(3) by notice to require the employer to arrange for the jobholder to become an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme;

“opt in notice” means a notice given under section 7(3);

“opt out” means the jobholder’s right to give notice under section 8;

“opt out notice” means a notice in the form set out in Schedule 1;

“opt out period” means the period determined in accordance with regulation 9(2) or (3);

“staging date” means the date on which sections 2 to 8 first apply in relation to the employer.

(3) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954[^f00005] shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

(4) Without prejudice to any other method of service of documents, any document under these Regulations may be sent by ordinary post.

(5) In these Regulations any reference to a numbered section is a reference to the section of the Act bearing that number.

Enrolment information

2

In these Regulations “enrolment information” means the information described in paragraphs 1 to 15 and 24 of Schedule 2.

Jobholder information

3

(1) In these Regulations “jobholder information” is—

(a) the jobholder’s name;

(b) the jobholder’s date of birth;

(d) the jobholder’s gender;

(e) the jobholder’s automatic enrolment date, automatic re-enrolment date or enrolment date, as the case may be, or for a jobholder to whom regulation 28 or 29 applies, the date mentioned in regulation 7(1) as modified by regulation 28 or 29, as the case may be;

(f) the jobholder’s national insurance number;

(g) the gross earnings due to the jobholder in any applicable pay reference period;

(h) the value of any contributions payable to the scheme by the employer and the jobholder in any applicable pay reference period, where this information is available to the employer;

(i) the jobholder’s postal work address;

(j) the jobholder’s individual work e-mail address, where an individual work e-mail address is allocated to that jobholder, and

(k) the jobholder’s personal e-mail address, where the employer holds this information.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(h), “the value” of contributions may be expressed as a fixed amount or a percentage of any qualifying earnings or pensionable pay due to the jobholder in any applicable pay reference period.

Pay reference periods for the purposes of sections 1(1)(c), 3(1)(c) and 5(1)(c)

4

(1) This regulation applies for the purposes of sections 1(1)(c), 3(1)(c) and 5(1)(c) (jobholders, automatic enrolment and automatic re-enrolment).

(2) The pay reference period in respect of a person is determined in accordance with paragraph (3) or paragraphs (4) and (5), whichever the employer may decide.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph, the pay reference period is—

(a) in the case of a person who is paid their regular wage or salary by reference to a period of a week, the period of one week;

(b) in the case of a person who is paid their regular wage or salary by reference to a period longer than a week, that period.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, subject to paragraph (6)(a), a pay reference period is—

(a) a period equal in length to the usual interval between payments of the person’s regular wage or salary, or

(b) the period of a week,

whichever is the longer.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), pay reference periods commence—

(a) where the person is paid monthly, on the first day of a tax month;

(b) where the person is paid weekly or the pay reference period is a week, on the first day of a tax week;

(i) 6th April, and

(ii) the first day of the tax week which commences immediately after the expiry of a pay interval period beginning on 6th April, unless paragraph (6) applies, and

(d) where the person is paid at intervals of multiple months, on—

(i) 6th April, and

(ii) the first day of the tax month which commences immediately after the expiry of a pay interval period beginning on 6th April, unless paragraph (6) applies.

(6) Where paragraphs (4) and (5) apply and a pay reference period includes the last day of a tax year—

(a) if the qualifying earnings which, but for this sub-paragraph, would fall in that pay reference period, are paid or payable on or after 6th April, the pay reference period ends on 5th April;

(b) the next pay reference period commences on 6th April.

(7) In this regulation—

“pay interval period” means a period which is equal in length to the usual interval between payments and each whole multiple of that period;

“tax month” means the period beginning with the sixth day of the month and ending on the fifth day of the following month;

“tax week” means one of the successive periods in a tax year beginning with the first day of that year and every seventh day after that (so that the last day of a tax year is, or, in the case of a tax year ending in a leap year, the last 2 days are, treated as a separate week).

Pay reference periods for the purposes of sections 20(1)(b) and (c) and 26(4)(b) and (5)(b)

5

(1) The pay reference periods for the purposes of section 20(1)(and (c) (quality requirement: UK money purchase schemes) and section 26(4)(b) and (5)(b) (quality requirement: UK personal pension schemes) are as follows.

(2) A pay reference period may be—

(a) subject to paragraph (10), a period of a year, ending on the day before an anniversary of the employer’s staging date;

(b) a period which is equal in length to the period by reference to which the jobholder is paid their regular wage or salary, commencing on the first day of that period, or

(c) subject to paragraph (4)(a), a period which is equal in length to the usual interval between payments of the jobholder’s regular wage or salary, commencing on the date determined in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) Where paragraph (2)(c) applies, pay reference periods in respect of a person commence—

(a) where the person is paid monthly, on the first day of a tax month;

(b) where the person is paid weekly, on the first day of a tax week;

(i) 6th April, and

(ii) the first day of the tax week which commences immediately after the expiry of a pay interval period beginning on 6th April, unless paragraph (4) applies, and

(d) where the person is paid at intervals of multiple months, on—

(i) 6th April, and

(ii) the first day of the tax month which commences immediately after the expiry of a pay interval period beginning on 6th April, unless paragraph (4) applies.

(4) Where paragraph (2)(c) applies and a pay reference period includes the last day of a tax year—

(a) if the qualifying earnings which, but for this sub-paragraph, would fall in that pay reference period, are paid or payable on or after 6th April, the pay reference period ends on 5th April;

(b) the next pay reference period commences on 6th April.

(5) Where paragraph (2)(a) applies, the first pay reference period in respect of a person commences—

(a) on the relevant day, or

(b) where there has been a period beginning after the relevant day, during which the requirements of section 1(1)(a) or (c) (jobholders) were not met but the person remained an active member of a qualifying scheme, on the day following the last day of that period.

(6) Where paragraph (2)(b) applies, the first pay reference period in respect of a person commences on the first day determined in accordance with that paragraph which falls on or after the relevant day.

(7) Where paragraph (2)(c) applies, the first pay reference period in respect of a person commences on the first day determined in accordance with paragraph (3) which falls on or after the relevant day.

(8) Subject to paragraph (2)(c), a pay reference period in relation to any person ends on the day before the day on which the next pay reference period begins.

(9) Where a person ceases to be a jobholder of the employer or ceases to be an active member of a qualifying scheme, the last pay reference period—

(a) ends on the day on which the person’s status so changes, where paragraph (2)(a) applies, or

(b) is the pay reference period which includes the day on which the person’s status so changes, where paragraph (2)(b) or (c) applies.

(10) A pay reference period under paragraph (2)(a) may be less than a year if it either commences or ends within the period of a year ending on the day before an anniversary of the employer’s staging date.

(11) In this regulation—

“relevant day” means the first day on or after the staging date on which the person is both a jobholder and an active member of a qualifying scheme;

“pay interval period”, “tax month” and “tax week” have the same meaning as in regulation 4.

PART 2 — Automatic enrolment, opt out and refunds

Arrangements to achieve active membership

6

(1) The arrangements the employer must make in accordance with section 3(2) (automatic enrolment) are to enter into arrangements with—

(a) the trustees or managers of an automatic enrolment scheme which is an occupational pension scheme, so that before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the automatic enrolment date the jobholder to whom section 3 applies becomes an active member of that scheme with effect from the automatic enrolment date, or

(b) the provider of an automatic enrolment scheme which is a personal pension scheme, so that before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the automatic enrolment date the jobholder to whom section 3 applies is given information about the terms and conditions of the agreement to be deemed to exist under paragraph (2).

(2) Where the employer enters into arrangements with a personal pension scheme provider under paragraph (1)(b), the jobholder is deemed to have entered into an agreement to be an active member of that scheme with effect from the automatic enrolment date, on the later of—

(a) the date on which the personal pension scheme provider gives the information required by paragraph (1)(b), or

(b) the date on which the employer gives the jobholder the enrolment information in accordance with regulation 7(1)(a).

(3) The terms and conditions of an agreement deemed to exist under paragraph (2) must, as a minimum—

(a) explain the purpose of the personal pension scheme;

(b) specify the services to be provided by the personal pension scheme provider;

(c) specify the value of any contributions payable by the jobholder, where this information is available to the personal pension scheme provider;

(d) specify the charges which may be payable to the personal pension scheme provider; and

(e) in the absence of a choice made by the jobholder, explain the investment strategy adopted by the personal pension scheme provider in relation to any contributions payable to the scheme by or in respect of the jobholder.

(4) In paragraph (1)(b) the reference to “terms and conditions” is a reference to the terms and conditions mentioned in paragraph (3).

7

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), for the purposes of the arrangements under section 3(2) (automatic enrolment), at any time before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the automatic enrolment date, the employer must give—

(a) the jobholder the enrolment information in writing, and

(b) the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme or the personal pension scheme provider the jobholder information in writing.

(2) The requirement in paragraph (1)(b) does not apply in relation to the information specified in regulation 3(1)(g), (h), (i), (j) or (k), where the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme notify, or the personal pension scheme provider notifies, the employer that they do not require that piece of information for the purposes of arrangements under section 3(2).

(3) Where the information referred to in regulation 3(1)(f) is not available to the employer on the automatic enrolment date, the employer must give the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme or the personal pension scheme provider that information within 6 weeks from the date on which the employer receives it.

8

An employer must, on or after the automatic enrolment date, deduct any contributions payable by the jobholder to the scheme, from ... qualifying earnings or pensionable pay due to the jobholder ....

Opting out

9

(1) A jobholder who has become an active member of an occupational pension scheme or a personal pension scheme in accordance with arrangements under section 3(2) (automatic enrolment), may opt out by giving their employer a valid opt out notice obtained and given in accordance with this regulation.

(2) Where the jobholder has become an active member of an occupational pension scheme, the jobholder must give their employer a valid opt out notice within a period of one month beginning with the later of—

(a) the date on which the jobholder became an active member of the scheme in accordance with regulation 6(1)(a), or

(b) the date on which the jobholder was given the enrolment information.

(3) Where the jobholder has become an active member of a personal pension scheme, the jobholder must give their employer a valid opt out notice within a period of one month beginning with the date on which the agreement was deemed to exist under regulation 6(2).

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the jobholder may only obtain an opt out notice from the scheme in which the jobholder is an active member.

(5) Where the jobholder is an active member of a scheme which is an occupational pension scheme and that scheme has, in its trust instrument, expressly delegated its administrative functions to the employer, the jobholder may obtain an opt out notice from that employer.

(6) An opt out notice is valid if—

(a) it includes the wording set out in Schedule 1;

(aa) it includes statements from the jobholder to the effect that the jobholder wishes to opt out of pension saving and understands that, in so doing, the jobholder will lose the right to pension contributions from the employer and may have a lower income upon retirement;

(b) it includes the jobholder’s name;

(d) it is signed by the jobholder or, where the notice is in an electronic format, it must include a statement confirming that the jobholder personally submitted the notice, and

(e) it is dated.

(7) Where the employer is given an opt out notice which is not valid—

(a) the employer must inform the jobholder of the reason for the invalidity, and

(b) paragraphs (2) and (3) are modified so that for the reference to “one month” there is substituted “6 weeks”.

(8) Where an employer has accepted as valid an opt out notice prior to the coming into operation of regulation 4(6) of the Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013, the notice is deemed to be valid on the coming into operation of that provision.

10

Where an employer is given a valid opt out notice, the employer must inform the scheme in which the jobholder is an active member that a valid opt out notice has been received.

Refunds

11

(1) Where an employer receives a valid opt out notice, that employer must refund to the jobholder before the refund date any contributions paid to the scheme by the jobholder and any contributions made on behalf of the jobholder, except where any of those refunds are required to be paid as tax.

(2) Where a scheme receives the information required by regulation 10, the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme or the provider of the personal pension scheme, as the case may be, must refund to the employer before the refund date any contributions made to the scheme by the jobholder and any contributions made to the scheme by the employer on behalf or in respect of the jobholder.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation “the refund date” is—

(a) the date one month from the date on which the employer is given a valid opt out notice, or

(b) where the opt out notice is given to the employer after the employer’s payroll arrangements have closed, the last day of the second applicable pay reference period following the date on which a valid opt out notice is given.

PART 3 — Automatic re-enrolment

Automatic re-enrolment dates

12

(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the automatic re-enrolment date for the purposes of section 5—

(a) is the date chosen at the discretion of the employer, within a period beginning 3 months before, and ending at the end of the period of 3 months beginning with, the third anniversary of the staging date, and

(b) thereafter, is the date chosen at the discretion of the employer, within a period beginning 3 months before, and ending at the end of the period of 3 months beginning with, the third anniversary of the date chosen for the previous automatic re-enrolment date.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) In a case under section 6(4), the automatic re-enrolment date for the purposes of section 5 is the day after the day on which the jobholder ceases to be an active member of the scheme.

(4) In a case under section 6(5), the automatic re-enrolment date for the purposes of section 5 is the first day on which all the requirements of section 1(1) (jobholders) are met (so that the person is a jobholder from that date).

Arrangements to achieve active membership

13

(1) Except where the jobholder becomes an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme under paragraph (2), the arrangements in regulations 6, 7 and 8 are the arrangements prescribed to achieve active membership for the purposes of section 5, but with the following modifications—

(a) in regulation 6 for all references to “section 3” substitute “section 5”;

(b) in regulations 6 and 7 for all references to “section 3(2)” substitute “section 5(2)”, and

(c) in regulations 6, 7 and 8 for all references to “the automatic enrolment date” substitute “the automatic re-enrolment date”.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where before the jobholder’s automatic re-enrolment date, the jobholder is a member of a personal pension scheme, or in a case under section 6(5) (timing of automatic re-enrolment) a member of a personal pension scheme or an occupational pension scheme, the employer may meet the obligation in section 5(2) by—

(a) before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the automatic re-enrolment date, entering into arrangements with the provider or the trustees or managers of the scheme of which the jobholder is a member so that—

(i) the scheme is an automatic enrolment scheme, and

(ii) the jobholder is an active member of that scheme, and

(b) satisfying the requirements of regulation 7, as if for all references in regulation 7 to “section 3(2)” there were substituted “section 5(2)” and for all references to “the automatic enrolment date” there were substituted “the automatic re-enrolment date”.

(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not apply in a case under section 6(5).

Jobholders excluded from automatic re-enrolment

14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opting out

15

The arrangements in regulations 9 and 10 are the arrangements for the purposes of section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out) in relation to a jobholder who has become an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme under section 5 (automatic re-enrolment), but with the modification that in regulation 9(1) for “section 3(2)” substitute “section 5(2)”.

Refunds

16

The arrangements in regulation 11 apply for the purposes of section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out) in relation to a jobholder who has become an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme under section 5.

PART 4 — Jobholders opting in to pension saving

Information on the right to opt in to pension saving

17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opt in notices and arrangements to achieve active membership

18

(1) Where the jobholder wishes to opt in, the jobholder must give an opt in notice to the employer.

(2) An opt in notice must be—

(a) in writing, and

(b) signed by the jobholder or, where the notice is in an electronic format, it must include a statement confirming that the jobholder personally submitted the notice.

(3) Where the employer is given an opt in notice, except where a jobholder becomes an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme under paragraph (4), the arrangements in regulations 6, 7 and 8 are the arrangements in relation to the jobholder who gave that employer an opt in notice, but with the following modifications—

(a) in regulation 6 for all references to “section 3” substitute “section 7”;

(b) in regulations 6 and 7 for all references to “section 3(2)” substitute “section 7(3)”, and

(4) Where the jobholder is a member of a personal pension scheme before the enrolment date, the employer may meet the obligation in section 7(3) (jobholder’s right to opt in) by—

(a) before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the enrolment date, entering into arrangements with the provider of the scheme of which the jobholder is a member so that—

(i) the scheme becomes an automatic enrolment scheme, and

(ii) the jobholder becomes an active member of that scheme, and

(b) satisfying the requirements contained in regulation 7, as if for all references in regulation 7 to “section 3(2)” there were substituted “section 7(3)” and for all references to “the automatic enrolment date” there were substituted “the enrolment date”.

(5) Where a jobholder gives an opt in notice to the employer, but in writing withdraws that notice before the enrolment date, the employer is not required to make the arrangements prescribed by this regulation.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation, the enrolment date is—

(a) the first day of the jobholder’s applicable pay reference period which begins after the date on which the employer is given the opt in notice, or

(b) where the opt in notice is given after the employer’s payroll arrangements have closed for the purposes of the jobholder’s applicable pay reference period referred to in sub-paragraph (a), the first day of the jobholder’s second applicable pay reference period which begins after the date on which the employer is given the opt in notice.

Opting out

19

The arrangements in regulations 9 and 10 are the arrangements for the purposes of section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out) in relation to a jobholder who has given an employer an opt in notice, but with the modification that in regulation 9(1) for “section 3(2)” substitute “section 7(3)”.

Refunds

20

The arrangements in regulation 11 apply for the purposes of section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out) in relation to a jobholder who has given an employer an opt in notice.

PART 5 — Workers joining pension saving

Information

21

At any time before the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the date on which section 7 (jobholder’s right to opt in) or section 9 (workers without qualifying earnings), as the case may be, first applies to a worker, the employer must give in writing—

(a) to the jobholder to whom section 7 applies, the information described in—

(i) paragraphs 16 and 24 of Schedule 2, or

(ii) paragraphs 18 and 24 of Schedule 2, and

(b) to the worker to whom section 9 applies, the information described in—

(i) paragraphs 17 and 24 of Schedule 2, or

(ii) paragraphs 18 and 24 of Schedule 2.

Form and content of joining notices

22

(1) A joining notice must be in writing and, except where paragraph (2) applies, be signed by the worker.

(2) Where the joining notice is in an electronic format, it must include a statement confirming that the worker personally submitted the notice.

Arrangements to achieve active membership

23

(1) The arrangements an employer who is given a joining notice by a worker must make for the purpose of section 9(2) (workers without qualifying earnings) are to—

(a) enter into arrangements with—

(i) the trustees or managers of an occupational pension scheme which satisfies the requirements of section 9(7), or

(ii) the provider of a personal pension scheme which satisfies the requirements of section 9(7),

so that the worker who is the subject of the joining notice becomes an active member of the scheme in accordance with the scheme rules or requirements applicable to that scheme, and

(b) provide the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme or the personal pension scheme provider with the information specified in regulation 3(1)(a) to (d) and (f) to (k).

(2) The requirement in paragraph (1)(b) does not apply in relation to the information specified in regulation 3(1)(g), (h), (i), (j) or (k), where the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme notify, or the personal pension scheme provider notifies, the employer that they do not require that piece of information to achieve active membership of that scheme.

(3) Where the information referred to in regulation 3(1)(f) is not available to the employer on the date on which the notice is received by the employer, the employer must give the trustees or managers of the occupational pension scheme or the personal pension scheme provider that information within 6 weeks from the date on which the employer receives it.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation any reference to “the jobholder” in regulation 3(1) shall be read as a reference to “the worker”.

PART 6 — Postponement or disapplication of automatic enrolment

Information

24

(1) A notice under section 4(1), (2) or (3) (postponement or disapplication of automatic enrolment) given by an employer to all workers must be in writing and, subject to paragraphs (1A) and (1B), include the information described in paragraphs 18, 20, 21 and 24 of Schedule 2.

(1A) In the case of workers who are jobholders and who are not active members of a qualifying scheme, the notice referred to in paragraph (1) must include the information described in either paragraph 16 or 18 and in paragraphs 20, 21 and 24.

(1B) In the case of workers who are not jobholders and are not active members of a qualifying scheme, the notice referred to in paragraph (1) must include the information described in either paragraph 17 or 18 and in paragraphs 20, 21 and 24.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) For the purposes of section 4(5), the prescribed period is the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day after the starting day.

Postponement of the automatic enrolment date

25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cases in which automatic enrolment may be postponed

26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 7 — Automatic enrolment following the transitional period for defined benefit andhybridschemes

Information

27

Where the employer gives the jobholder the notice mentioned in section 30(3) (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes), that notice must—

(a) be in writing;

(b) be given at any time before the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the employer’s first enrolment date, and

Arrangements to achieve active membership

28

The arrangements prescribed in regulations 6, 7 and 8 are the arrangements prescribed for the purposes of section 3(2) (automatic enrolment) as modified by section 30(3) (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes), but with the following modifications—

(a) for regulation 6 substitute—

(6) (1) An employer must meet the obligation in section 3(2) (automatic enrolment) by entering into arrangements with the trustees or managers of an automatic enrolment scheme which is a defined benefits scheme or a hybrid scheme. (2) An employer must ensure that a jobholder to whom section 3 applies becomes an active member of that scheme with effect from the day after the end of the transitional period prescribed for the purposes of section 30 (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes). (3) An employer must carry out the duties in paragraphs (1) and (2) before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the day after the end of the transitional period prescribed for the purposes of section 30.

, and

(b) in regulations 7 and 8 for all references to “the automatic enrolment date” substitute “the day after the end of the transitional period prescribed for the purposes of section 30”.

29

The arrangements prescribed in regulations 6, 7 and 8 are prescribed for the purposes of section 3(2) (automatic enrolment) as modified by section 30(5) (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes), but with the following modifications—

(a) in regulation 6 for paragraph (1) substitute—

(1) An employer must meet the obligation in section 3(2) (automatic enrolment) by entering into arrangements with— (a) the trustees or managers of an automatic enrolment scheme which is a defined benefits scheme or a hybrid scheme, so that before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the closure date a jobholder to whom section 3 applies becomes an active member of that scheme with effect from the closure date; (b) the trustees or managers of an automatic enrolment scheme which is a money purchase scheme, so that before the end of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the closure date a jobholder to whom section 3 applies becomes an active member of that scheme with effect from the automatic enrolment date, or (c) the provider of an automatic enrolment scheme which is a personal pension scheme, so that before the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the closure date the jobholder to whom section 3 applies receives information about the terms and conditions mentioned in paragraph (4).

(aa) in regulation 6(2) and (4) for “paragraph (1)(b)”, in each place it occurs, substitute “paragraph (1)(c)”;

(b) in regulations 7 and 8 for all references to “the automatic enrolment date” substitute “the closure date”, and

(4) At the request of the jobholder the employer must, for the period prescribed in paragraph (5), deduct any contributions which would have been payable by the jobholder to the scheme in respect of the period beginning on the automatic enrolment date and ending on the closure date, from any qualifying earnings or pensionable pay due to the jobholder in any applicable pay reference period. (5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), the prescribed period is a period of— (a) 5 years beginning with the date on which section 3 comes into operation in accordance with provision made by an order by the Department under section 118(1), or (b) such shorter period as agreed between the jobholder and the employer. (6) For the purposes of this regulation and regulation 6 “closure date” has the meaning given by section 30(4) (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes).

Opting out

30

31

The arrangements in regulations 9 and 10 are the arrangements for the purposes of section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out) as it applies in relation to section 3(2) as modified by section 30(5) (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes), but with the modification that in regulation 9(2)(a) for “regulation 6(1)(a)” substitute “regulation 6(1)(a) or (b)”.

Refunds

32

The arrangements in regulation 11 apply for the purposes of section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out) as it applies in relation to section 3(2) as modified by section 30(3) or (5) (transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes).

PART 8 — Existing members of qualifying schemes

Information

33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Continuity of scheme membership

34

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 9 — Automatic enrolment schemes

Further conditions applicable to automatic enrolment schemes

35

(1) The conditions prescribed for the purposes of section 17(1)(c) (automatic enrolment schemes) are—

(a) that the scheme must be—

(i) an occupational pension scheme within section 18(a) ... (occupational pension schemes with main administration in the UK or in an EEA state other than the UK), or

(ii) a personal pension scheme where the operation of the scheme—

(aa) is regulated by a competent authority, and

(bb) is carried on by a person who is in relation to that activity authorised by a competent authority;

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) except as provided in paragraph (1A), that the provisions governing any part of a scheme which provides money purchase benefits must not include a provision that allows for—

(i) any amount to be deducted from any payments made to the scheme by or on behalf of or in respect of the jobholder;

(ii) any amount to be deducted from any income or capital gain arising from the investment of such payments, or

(iii) the value of the jobholder’s rights under the scheme to be reduced by any amount,

where the amount is to be paid to a third party under an agreement between the employer and the third party.

(1A) Paragraph (1)(c) does not apply where an employer has entered into a legally enforceable agreement with a third party before 10th May 2013 under which an amount is to be paid to the third party in one or more of the ways set out in paragraph (1)(c)(i) to (iii).

(2) For the purposes of this regulation—

“competent authority” means the Financial Conduct Authority or the Pensions Regulator;

“regulatory requirements” includes provisions of legislation that concern tax;

“relevant benefits” means—any money purchase benefits applicable to the jobholder, andin relation to a defined benefits scheme, or the defined benefits element of a hybrid scheme, that provides for a sum of money to be made available for the provision of benefits to a member, that sum.

“third party” means any person other than—the jobholder;where the scheme is an occupational pension scheme, the trustees or managers of the scheme, orwhere the scheme is a personal pension scheme, the provider of the scheme.

PART 10 — Exclusion as a qualifying scheme

Certain schemes providing average salary benefits excluded from being qualifying schemes

36

(1) A pension scheme which provides for average salary benefits to be provided to or in respect of a jobholder is not a qualifying scheme if, subject to paragraphs (2A) and (3), the scheme has any of the features specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The specified features are that, in relation to any jobholder who has accrued rights to benefits under the scheme (“accrued benefits”)—

(a) there is no provision for revaluation of such benefits;

(b) such benefits are to be revalued at less than the minimum rate, or

at any time when the jobholder’s pensionable service is continuing.

(2A) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a scheme with the feature specified in paragraph (2)(b) if—

(a) the funding of the scheme is based on the assumption that accrued benefits would be revalued at or above the minimum rate, and

(b) such funding is provided for in the scheme’s statement of funding principles under Article 202 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or, if the scheme is not required to have such a statement, in an equivalent statement of the scheme’s funding plan.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a scheme with the feature specified in paragraph (2)(c) if—

(a) the funding of the scheme takes account of the exercise of the discretionary power and does so on the assumption that accrued benefits would be revalued at or above the minimum rate, and

(b) such funding is provided for in the scheme’s statement of funding principles under Article 202 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005[^f00012] or, if the scheme is not required to have such a statement, in an equivalent statement of the scheme’s funding plan.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation, the minimum rate on a revaluation of accrued benefits is either—

(a) where a scheme is a scheme established under section 1 of the 2014 Act (schemes for persons in public service) or is a new public body pension scheme as defined in section 31(4) of the 2014 Act, an annual increase or decrease by the relevant percentage for the year by reference to which the revaluation is made, or

(b) in any other case, an annual increase by whichever is the lesser or the least of—

(i) the percentage increase in the retail prices index for the year by reference to which the revaluation is made;

(ii) the percentage increase in the general level of prices for the year by reference to which the revaluation is made, and

(iii) 2.5%.

(5) In this regulation—

“the 2014 Act” means the Public Service Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014;

“general level of prices” means the general level of prices determined in accordance with regulation 36(5) of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations 2010 (certain schemes providing average salary benefits excluded from being qualifying schemes);

“relevant percentage” means—where the scheme requires revaluation of accrued benefits by reference to a change in prices, the percentage change in prices specified in an order under section 9(2) of the 2014 Act (revaluation), orwhere the scheme requires revaluation of accrued benefits by reference to a change in earnings, the percentage change in earnings specified in an order under section 9(2) of the 2014 Act;

“retail prices index” means—the general index of retail prices (for all items) published by the Statistics Board, orwhere that index is not published for a month, any substituted index or figures published by the Board.

PART 11 — Test Scheme

Test scheme: requirements to revalue accrued benefits and increase pensions in payment

37

(1) Paragraph (2) applies for the purposes of section 23(1)(c) (test scheme).

(2) The following must be satisfied in relation to a test scheme—

(a) the requirements of section 80 of the 1993 Act (basis of revaluation), and

(b) the requirements of Article 51 of the 1995 Order[^f00013] (annual increase in rate of pension) in relation to a scheme which provides for a member to be entitled to a pension commencing at the appropriate age and continuing for life.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a)—

(a) a test scheme which falls within section 23(2)(a) and a test scheme which falls within regulation 39A(2) must satisfy the requirements of section 80 of the 1993 Act by reference to the final salary method, and

(b) a test scheme to which regulation 39A(3) applies must satisfy the requirements of section 80 of the 1993 Act by reference to the average salary method or the final salary method.

Staged increase in appropriate age

38

(1) For the purposes of making a relevant determination, the appropriate age prescribed for a member whose pensionable age is over 65 is the age at which the member attains pensionable age.

(2) In this regulation “relevant determination” means a determination under section 22 (test scheme standard) as to whether a scheme satisfies the test scheme standard in relation to a jobholder.

Requirements for meeting the test scheme standard

39

(1) This regulation applies for the purposes of section 22(4) (test scheme standard).

(2) No person other than—

(a) the scheme actuary, or

(b) the employer of the relevant members of the scheme,

may certify that a scheme satisfies the test scheme standard.

(3) An employer may certify a scheme under paragraph (2)(b) only in cases that do not require any calculation, comparison or assessment of a description usually carried out by actuaries.

(4) In determining whether a scheme satisfies the test scheme standard, a scheme actuary or employer—

(a) must have regard to the benefits to be provided under the scheme for persons who, at the date by reference to which the determination is made (which may precede the date on which it is made), are relevant members of the scheme, and

(b) must not have regard to—

(i) pension credit benefits;

(ii) death benefits;

(iii) discretionary benefits (apart from those arising from discretionary pre-retirement revaluation made in the case of schemes providing for average salary benefits);

(iv) survivors’ benefits;

(v) ... money purchase benefits;

(vi) benefits in respect of any person who is not a jobholder for the purposes of the Act;

(vii) benefits in respect of any jobholder whose annual rate of benefit accrual under the scheme has been reduced below the rate specified in section 23(4)(a) (test scheme), where the reduction is made as a result of a request made by the jobholder in question in accordance with scheme rules, or

(viii) benefits in respect of any jobholder who has given notice under section 8 (jobholder’s right to opt out).

(5) A scheme actuary or employer may not certify that a scheme satisfies the test scheme standard if the benefits to be provided for more than 10% of relevant members are not at least as valuable as the benefits which would be provided for them under a test scheme.

(6) In determining whether—

(a) any of paragraphs (3) to (5) apply in relation to a scheme, or

(b) a scheme otherwise satisfies the test scheme standard,

a scheme actuary or employer must follow any guidance issued by the Department under section 22(5) which is for the time being in force.

(7) “Scheme actuary” has the meaning given in section 22(7) except—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) where the scheme is a defined benefits or hybrid scheme within section 18(c) and there is an actuary appointed to the scheme who satisfies the requirements of regulations made under Article 47(5) of the 1995 Order[^f00014] (professional advisers), or

(c) in any other circumstances where, by virtue of regulations made under Article 47 of the 1995 Order, the scheme is not required to appoint a scheme actuary.

(8) In any case falling within paragraph (7)(b), “scheme actuary” means the actuary referred to in that paragraph who is appointed to the scheme.

(9) “Relevant members” has the meaning given in section 22(2).

PART 12 — Hybrid schemes

Interpretation

40

In this Part—

“the paragraph (a) quality requirements” means the requirements for a money purchase scheme under section 20 (referred to in relation to hybrid schemes in paragraph (a) of section 24(1) (quality requirements: UK hybrid schemes));

“the paragraph (b) quality requirements” means the requirements for a defined benefits scheme under sections 21 to 23A (referred to in relation to hybrid schemes in paragraph (b) of section 24(1));

“relevant rule” means any rule made under section 24(2) to (4).

Modification of test scheme standard: money purchase benefit lump sum accruals

41

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modification of test scheme standard: final salary lump sum accruals

42

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modification allowing different quality requirements to be satisfied in aggregate

43

(1) Paragraphs (2) to (4) apply where a relevant rule—

(a) specifies a description of hybrid schemes, and

(b) provides that—

(i) the provisions of any scheme of that description which relate to defined benefits and the provisions of the scheme relating to money purchase benefits are to be treated as if they provided for benefits under separate schemes;

(ii) in respect of the money purchase benefits provisions, the paragraph (a) quality requirements are to apply;

(iii) in respect of the defined benefits provisions, the paragraph (b) quality requirements are to apply, and

(iv) those quality requirements are to apply to the scheme subject to the modifications made by this regulation.

(2) Notwithstanding that not all of the paragraph (a) quality requirements or the paragraph (b) quality requirements are satisfied in relation to the scheme, those requirements are nevertheless to be treated as having been satisfied in relation to any jobholder in the circumstances set out in paragraph (3).

(3) The circumstances are that—

(a) all of the paragraph (a) quality requirements are met apart from either or both of the requirement in section 20(1)(b) (“requirement X”) and the requirement in section 20(1)(c);

(b) all of the paragraph (b) quality requirements are met apart from the relevant benefit requirement (“requirement Y”), and

(c) having carried out the calculations set out in paragraph (4), the aggregate of the resulting percentages is at least 100.

(4) Each of the following is to be calculated as a percentage—

(a) the extent to which requirement X is met as a proportion of the minimum rate of employer’s contribution specified in section 20(1)(b);

(b) the extent to which requirement Y is met as a proportion of—

(i) where the requirement in subsection (4) of section 23 (test scheme) applies, the annual rate of pension specified in that subsection, or

(ii) where a requirement in paragraph (4), (6) or (7) of regulation 39A applies, the sum of money to be made available for the provision of benefits as specified in the relevant paragraph.

(5) Where paragraphs (2) to (4) have effect in relation to a hybrid scheme of the relevant description, regulation 39 is to be read as if, for paragraph (5), there were substituted—

(5) A scheme actuary or employer may not certify that a scheme satisfies the test scheme standard if the aggregate percentage referred to in regulation 43(3)(c) is less than 100 in relation to more than 10% of relevant members.

(6) In this regulation “the relevant benefit requirement” means—

(a) the requirements in subsection (4) of section 23 where that subsection applies, or

(b) one of the requirements specified in regulation 39A where that regulation applies.

PART 13 — Non-UK Pension Schemes

Description of an occupational pension scheme with its main administration outside the United Kingdom

44

A pension scheme that has its main administration outside the United Kingdom is an occupational pension scheme for the purposes of section 18(c) (occupational pension schemes) if it is an occupational pension scheme within the meaning of section 1(1) of the 1993 Act[^f00015].

Quality requirements: non-UK occupational pension schemes

45

(1) A money purchase scheme within section 18(c) (occupational pension schemes) satisfies the quality requirement for the purposes of section 25 in relation to a jobholder—

(a) if it satisfies the requirements for a money purchase scheme under section 20(1), ...

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), section 20(1) is to be read as if for “that has its main administration in the United Kingdom” there were substituted “within section 18(c)”.

(3) A defined benefits scheme within section 18(c) satisfies the quality requirement for the purposes of section 25 in relation to the jobholder—

(a) if it satisfies the requirements for a defined benefits scheme under sections 21 to 23A, ...

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), sections 21 and 23A are to be read as if for “that has its main administration in the United Kingdom” there were substituted “within section 18(c)”.

(5) Section 24 (quality requirement: UK hybrid schemes) applies to any hybrid scheme within section 18(c) as it applies to a hybrid scheme that has its main administration in the United Kingdom.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5)—

(a) the reference in section 24(1)(a) to the requirements for a money purchase scheme under section 20, and

(b) the reference in section 24(1)(b) to the requirements for a defined benefits scheme under sections 21 to 23A,

are to be read subject to the modifications made by paragraphs (2) and (4).

(7) Accordingly, a hybrid scheme within section 18(c) satisfies the quality requirement for the purposes of section 25 in relation to the jobholder if the scheme falls within a description of hybrid schemes specified in any rule made under section 24(2) to (4) and either—

(a) the scheme satisfies such of the requirements referred to in paragraph (6)(a) or (b) as the rule in question may specify as being appropriate to schemes of that description, subject to any prescribed modification of those requirements which is referred to in that rule, ...

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

46

A pension scheme to which section 26 (quality requirement: UK personal pension schemes) does not apply, satisfies the quality requirement for the purposes of section 27 (quality requirement: other personal pension schemes) in relation to a jobholder—

(a) if the conditions in section 26(3) to (7) are satisfied, ...

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prescribed requirements for non-UK qualifying schemes

47

(1) Where—

(a) the requirements set out in paragraphs (2) and (3) are satisfied, and

(b) the requirement set out in one of paragraphs (4), (5), (6) and (7) is satisfied,

section 16(1)(b) (qualifying schemes) does not apply in relation to an occupational pension scheme or a personal pension scheme to which section 25 or 27 (quality requirement: non-UK occupational pension schemes or other personal pension schemes) applies.

(2) The requirements to be satisfied are that—

(a) the scheme is an occupational pension scheme and there is, in the country or territory in which it has its main administration, a body—

(i) which regulates occupational pension schemes, and

(ii) which regulates that scheme, or

(b) the scheme is a personal pension scheme and there is, in the country or territory in which the personal pension scheme provider is established, a body—

(i) which regulates personal pension schemes, and

(ii) which regulates the personal pension scheme provider in relation to that scheme.

(3) The requirement to be satisfied is that the regulatory requirements applicable to the occupational pension scheme or the personal pension scheme provide that some of the benefits applicable to the jobholder may be designated for the purpose of providing that jobholder with an income for life.

(4) The requirement to be satisfied is that the scheme is a qualifying overseas pension scheme.

(5) The requirement to be satisfied is that relief from tax is given in respect of contributions made by an individual under a double taxation agreement for which a deduction of tax is given under the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988[^f00017].

(6) The requirement to be satisfied is that relief from tax is given in respect of contributions made by an individual under an arrangement entered into by the individual for which a deduction of tax is given under Chapter 2 of Part 5 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003[^f00018] (employment income: deductions allowed from earnings) for that tax year in accordance with paragraph 51 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2004[^f00019] (pension schemes etc).

(7) This paragraph applies in relation to any money purchase benefits applicable to the jobholder and the requirement to be satisfied is that the employer’s contribution, however calculated, includes an additional amount, the value of which represents the value of any relief from tax which would have been applicable in relation to the jobholder’s contributions if the scheme had been registered under Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004.

(8) For the purposes of this regulation—

“double taxation agreement” means an agreement having effect by virtue of section 788 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (relief by agreement with other territories);

“qualifying overseas pension scheme” has the meaning given in Schedule 33 to the Finance Act 2004 (overseas pension schemes: migrant member relief).

PART 14 — Due dates

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Scheme Administration) Regulations

48

For regulation 16 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Scheme Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997[^f00020] (prescribed time in which an employer must make payments to trustees or managers) substitute—

(16) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the prescribed period for the purposes of Article 49(8)[^f00021] (amount deducted from earnings to be paid to the trustees or managers of the scheme within a prescribed period) is— (a) where the contribution payable on behalf of an active member is paid to the trustees or managers of the scheme by means of an electronic communication, 22 days; or (b) in any other case, 19 days, commencing on the day following the last day of the month in which the amount is deducted from the earnings in question. (2) Where a jobholder becomes an active member of an occupational pension scheme in accordance with arrangements provided for in regulation 6, 13, 18, 28 or 29 of the 2010 Regulations, in relation to any contributions deducted between the relevant date and the end of the opt out period, the prescribed period for the purposes of Article 49(8) is the period commencing on the relevant date and ending on the last day of the second month after the month which includes the relevant date. (3) For the purposes of this regulation— - “the 2008 Act” means the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008[^f00022]; - “the 2010 Regulations” means the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; - “automatic enrolment date” has the meaning given by section 3(7) of the 2008 Act; - “automatic re-enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 12 of the 2010 Regulations; - “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001; - “enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 18(6) of the 2010 Regulations; - “jobholder” has the meaning given by section 1(1) of the 2008 Act; - “opt out period” means the period determined in accordance with regulation 9 of the 2010 Regulations within which a jobholder who has become an active member of an occupational pension scheme in accordance with arrangements under section 3(2) , 5(2) or 7(3) of the 2008 Act, may give notice under section 8 of that Act; - “relevant date” means the automatic enrolment date, the automatic re-enrolment date or the enrolment date, as the case may be, or for a jobholder to whom regulation 28 or 29 of the 2010 Regulations applies, the day or date mentioned in regulation 6 of those Regulations as modified by regulation 28 or 29, as the case may be.

Amendment of the Personal Pension Schemes (Payments by Employers) Regulations

49

For regulation 5 of the Personal Pension Schemes (Payments by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000[^f00023] (prescribed period for the purpose of calculating the due date for the payment of any contribution on behalf of an employee) substitute—

(5) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the prescribed period for the purposes of section 107A(15)(b) (meaning of “due date” where a contribution payable under the direct payment arrangements falls to be paid on behalf of the employee) is the period of— (a) where the contribution payable under the direct payment arrangements is paid to the trustees or managers of the scheme by means of an electronic communication, 22 days, or (b) in any other case, 19 days, commencing on the day following the last day of the month in which the deduction was made from the employee’s earnings. (2) Where an employee becomes an active member of a personal pension scheme in accordance with arrangements provided for in regulation 6, 13, 18, 28 or 29 of the 2010 Regulations, in relation to any contributions deducted between the relevant date and the end of the opt out period, the prescribed period for the purposes of section 107A(15)(b) is the period commencing on the relevant date and ending on the last day of the second month after the month which includes the relevant date. (3) For the purposes of this regulation— - “the 2008 Act” means the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008; - “the 2010 Regulations” means the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; - “automatic enrolment date” has the meaning given by section 3(7) of the 2008 Act; - “automatic re-enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 12 of the 2010 Regulations; - “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001; - “enrolment date” means the date determined in accordance with regulation 18(6) of the 2010 Regulations; - “jobholder” has the meaning given by section 1(1) of the 2008 Act; - “opt out period” means the period determined in accordance with regulation 9 of the 2010 Regulations within which a jobholder who has become an active member of an occupational pension scheme in accordance with arrangements under section 3(2) , 5(2) or 7(3) of the 2008 Act, may give notice under section 8 of that Act; - “relevant date” means the automatic enrolment date, the automatic re-enrolment date or the enrolment date, as the case may be, or for a jobholder to whom regulation 28 or 29 of the 2010 Regulations applies, the day or date mentioned in regulation 6 of those Regulations as modified by regulation 28 or 29, as the case may be.

Due date for the purposes of section 37(3)

50

(1) This regulation defines “due date” for the purposes of section 37 (unpaid contributions notices).

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) to (6), “due date” means the 22nd day of the month following the month during which either—

(a) relevant contributions payable to—

(i) the trustees or managers of an occupational pension scheme, or

(ii) the provider of a personal pension scheme,

were deducted by an employer (whether or not under section 33), or

(b) relevant contributions payable to—

(i) an occupational pension scheme under a payment schedule, or

(ii) a personal pension scheme under direct payment arrangements,

were due but not made by an employer.

(3) Where a jobholder becomes an active member of a qualifying scheme or a worker is enrolled pursuant to section 9 (workers without qualifying earnings) in a scheme which meets the requirements of section 9, paragraph (2) does not apply in respect of contributions—

(a) deducted in the 3 month period commencing with the relevant date, or

(b) due but not made in the 3 month period commencing with the relevant date,

in which case paragraph (4) applies.

(4) Where this paragraph applies, “due date” means the 22nd day of the fourth month after the month which includes the relevant date.

(5) Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply where an employer uses either—

(a) a defined benefits scheme, or

(b) a hybrid scheme,

to comply with sections 2 to 9, in which case paragraph (6) applies.

(6) Where a scheme used by an employer to comply with sections 2 to 9—

(a) is a defined benefits scheme, “due date” means the due dates of relevant contributions payable by or on behalf of—

(i) active members of a scheme, and

(ii) an employer,

under a schedule of contributions, or

(b) is a hybrid scheme, “due date” in respect of any part of that scheme providing—

(i) defined benefits, has the same meaning as in sub-paragraph (a), or

(ii) money purchase benefits, has the same meaning as in paragraph (2), except where a jobholder becomes an active member of an occupational pension scheme or a personal pension scheme in accordance with regulation 6, 13, 18, 28 or 29, in which case it has the same meaning as in paragraph (4).

(7) For the purposes of this regulation—

“direct payment arrangements” has the meaning given in section 107A of the 1993 Act;

“payment schedule” has the meaning given in Article 85 of the 1995 Order;

“relevant date” means the date from which active membership is effective.

“schedule of contributions” has the meaning given in Article 206(2) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.

Revocations

51

Paragraph 16(4) of the Schedule to the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997[^f00024] and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000[^f00025] are revoked.

SCHEDULE 1 — Information for workers

Signed

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on 19th March 2010

Anne McCleary — A senior officer of the Department for Social Development

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations make provision under the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (“the Act”) and are one of a package of measures which implement Part 1 of that Act.

Part 1 of the Regulations provides definitions. Parts 2, 3, 4 and 7 prescribe the arrangements an employer must make for a jobholder to become an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme with effect from the automatic enrolment date (Part 2), the automatic re-enrolment date (Part 3), the enrolment date (Part 4) or the date applicable to jobholders affected by the transitional period for defined benefit and hybrid schemes under section 30 of the Act (Part 7), as the case may be. The process is largely similar in each case. The same Parts also provide for opting out and refunds of contributions where a jobholder has been automatically enrolled, automatically re-enrolled or opts in, as the case may be. Part 3, in addition, prescribes the automatic re-enrolment dates.

Part 5 prescribes the arrangements an employer must make for a worker (on request) to become an active member of a pension scheme.

Part 6 enables an employer to postpone a person’s automatic enrolment date by 3 months provided an employer has an existing occupational money purchase or hybrid pension scheme or personal pension scheme under which the employer and jobholder contributions are at a specified greater level than the level of contributions normally required in relation to a qualifying scheme under the Act or the employer has an existing defined benefit scheme. Postponement may only apply as long as the jobholder’s postponement date, in relation to previous employment with the employer, has not been postponed in the last 12 months.

Part 8 makes provision for the period (3 months) within which an employer will not breach the duty in section 2 of the Act when moving jobholders between schemes.

Parts 2 to 8 also require the employer to provide the jobholder or worker, as the case may be, with certain information about the effect of sections 2 to 9 of the Act in relation to them.

Part 9 imposes a geographical restriction, the effect of which is to prescribe that only schemes established in the UK or an EEA State which fulfil certain requirements, may be used as automatic enrolment schemes for the purposes of the Act.

Part 10 provides that certain schemes which provide average salary benefits are excluded from being qualifying schemes for the purposes of the Act unless certain conditions are met.

Part 11 prescribes further requirements that apply to the test scheme described in section 23 of the Act. It also makes provision for an actuary or the employer to determine whether the pensions to be provided for the relevant members are broadly equivalent to, or better than, the pensions which would be provided for them under the test scheme and about how such determinations are to be made.

Part 12 contains modifications of the quality requirements under section 20 or 21 of the Act so as to reflect detailed characteristics of certain hybrid schemes.

Part 13 sets out the quality requirements applicable to non-UK schemes and the requirements which a non-UK scheme must meet if section 16(1)(b) of the Act is not to apply.

Part 14 sets the dates by which pension contributions must be paid by the employer to the scheme and makes provision related to the Pensions Regulator’s power to issue an unpaid contribution notice.

As these Regulations, in so far as they are made under Part II of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain, the requirement for consultation does not apply by virtue of Article 117(2)(e) of that Order.

An assessment of the cost to business of these Regulations is detailed in a Regulatory Impact Assessment, a copy of which has been laid in the Business Office and the Library of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Copies of the Assessment are available from the Department for Social Development, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, Level 1, James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Gasworks Business Park, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JA or from the website: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/ssa/ssani-publications/ssani-pensions-publications.htm. A copy of the Assessment is also annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside this Statutory Rule on the website: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/northernireland/ni-srni.htm.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1993 c. 49; section 107A was inserted by Article 10 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11))

[^f00002]: S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22); Article 49(8) was substituted by Article 11(1) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999

[^f00003]: See Article 8(b) of S.R. 1999 No. 481

[^f00004]: 2008 c. 13 (N.I.)

[^f00005]: 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)

[^f00012]: S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)

[^f00013]: Article 51 was amended by paragraph 40 of Schedule 9 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)), section 47(1) of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4 (N.I.)), Article 255 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)) and Article 11 of S.I. 2006/745

[^f00014]: See S.R. 1997 No. 94

[^f00015]: Section 1 was amended by Article 216 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 and the definition of “occupational pension scheme” was amended by regulation 2(2) of S.R. 2007 No. 457

[^f00017]: 1988 c.1

[^f00018]: 2003 c.1

[^f00019]: 2004 c. 12

[^f00020]: S.R. 1997 No. 94; regulation 16 was amended by paragraph 16(4) of the Schedule to S.R. 1997 No. 160 and regulation 2(2) of S.R. 2000 No. 69

[^f00021]: Article 49(8) was substituted by Article 11(1) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I.1999/3147 (N.I. 11))

[^f00022]: 2008 c. 13 (N.I.)

[^f00023]: S.R. 2000 No. 349

[^f00024]: S.R. 1997 No. 160

[^f00025]: S.R. 2000 No. 69

Editorial notes

[^key-b7de494b9bd870bc576efc65d735ae8e]: Reg. 47 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-1efae19501a438888c70620ee5c3c094]: Reg. 45 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-10b6d84c1480b787cca30577036ce348]: Reg. 37 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-613e22ea07113d6c5877be2e3a91356c]: Reg. 1 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-30c7160f3f0e0343f5cd309dee3b352a]: Reg. 9 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-02052a600f481104447ae040daad5632]: Reg. 12 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-86cf7c74a65beb1e435bbcfc1bee2728]: Reg. 29 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-67f6796d89a40407302b2c91ef029325]: Reg. 39 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-987da57af526b9bb7808a9ad29186504]: Reg. 43 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-03e6816f1a0a19bb17528ac11006cc7b]: Reg. 48 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-5f9bb298b52b162a61da52b6d18e7a81]: Reg. 49 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-3567f82a492d1d5407462f292675e312]: Reg. 50 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-ee565476c301f313dafb53c650bec68b]: Reg. 3 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-cd7040d9070759cd97a3fa0c2f993d24]: Reg. 6 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-617978e675dd873403ba85476c843881]: Reg. 7 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-eca1759316ba79af355af35d23da7004]: Reg. 8 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-b1e7bfd3e3c6f8ac0c7a4e517ff530f6]: Reg. 10 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-dc66fb5a3ade71e6e8b15973c37201f9]: Reg. 11 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-a1174ede57d14b8c47e26271bdbcf97f]: Reg. 13 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-f18f26dd16dff4d224e311b0df63f758]: Reg. 15 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-3302acd238c4af38b18eea4aef769c9d]: Reg. 16 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-b1073218be0d84bf58806f86c6b3f3b1]: Reg. 18 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-56e45b6c689ebc23e037652ac6349521]: Reg. 19 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-e4a71ee2c23bae8e16d8f3f54ceeae86]: Reg. 20 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-99074913c0b2b1a8118552d0b2798179]: Reg. 22 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-7272bed9fc22bcd0379651f2fb12550f]: Reg. 23 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-163fed9911136bb857801ab9c709cdf3]: Reg. 28 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-88f0552af820d08d5932fb44f18ce98f]: Reg. 30 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-71aa174d79598545ded1fefb6fc7d84d]: Reg. 31 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-c272b05457b5de1e922f909db8486673]: Reg. 32 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-37c542d59c960c409671a204205a67a0]: Reg. 36 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-4e7491d9603bfe88dda9060ff58ee259]: Reg. 40 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-3b274cf5bcf72220a00165bb2f20f54a]: Reg. 44 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-9eb133c3354e565aa4e349b2307d998f]: Reg. 46 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-137b242a11761d82a1cc072b4d229ff9]: Reg. 51 in operation at 1.7.2012, see reg. 1(1)

[^key-40f9160d1b0c178951adb4a3fee0e6e0]: Reg. 47A inserted (1.7.2012) by The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/232), regs. 1(1)(c), 2(22)

[^key-76cca934d41662adcdbe0aa077fe168c]: Sch. 2 added (1.7.2012) by The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/232), regs. 1(1)(c), 2(27), Sch.

[^key-b22d8583af63077f7d15b5f9df50aa71]: Words in Pt. 6 heading inserted (1.7.2012) by The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/232), regs. 1(1)(c), 2(11)

[^key-dffb89b4fcb87c9c0f583cb7b572d605]: Pt. 7A inserted (1.7.2012) by The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/237), regs. 1(1)(a), 2(3)

[^key-1b40a4ed13751c8be40f2bda4f541fdc]: Words in reg. 1(1) substituted (1.7.2012) by The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/237), regs. 1(1)(b), 2(2)

[^key-15fab46c6888ba0f7be9d9f764371447]: Words in reg. 1(2) substituted (1.7.2012) by The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/232), regs. 1(1)(c), 2(2)

[^key-c85fa5ed5d5e5bae77f7e675e559e756]: Reg. 2 substituted (1.7.2012) by The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/232), regs. 1(1)(c), 2(3)

[^key-382af6e7aaef64bc13dcabe78d2433e3]: Words in reg. 12(1) substituted (1.7.2012) by The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/232), regs. 1(1)(c), 2(7)(a)(i)

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