The Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014
- (b) must be consistent with normal actuarial practice.
- (4) Benefits may only be reduced under this regulation to the extent that the reduction would not result in the loss of any part of a guaranteed minimum pension to which a person is entitled under section 10 (earner’s guaranteed minimum) or 13 (minimum pensions for widows, widowers and surviving civil partners) of the 1993 Act.
CHAPTER 5 — General
General prohibition on unauthorised payments
175
Nothing in these Regulations requires or authorises the making of any payment, which, if made, would be an unauthorised payment for the purposes of Part 4 of the 2004 Act (pension schemes etc.) (see section 160(5) of that Act).
Calculation of periods of membership and service
176
- (1) For the purposes of this scheme, periods of membership and service are to be expressed in the first instance in whole years, and days and fractions of a day, and the initial aggregation of periods that require to be aggregated is done in the first instance by reference to periods so expressed.
Determination of questions
177
Except as otherwise provided by these Regulations, any question arising under this scheme is to be determined by the scheme manager, whose decision on it is final.
Evidence of entitlement
178
- (1) The scheme manager may require any person who is receiving a pension under this scheme to provide evidence to establish—
- (a) the person’s identity; and
- (b) the person’s continuing entitlement to payment of any amount.
- (2) If the person does not provide the required evidence, the scheme manager may withhold the whole or any part of any benefits payable under this scheme in respect of the person.
Provision of benefit information statements to members
179
- (1) The scheme manager must provide benefit information statements to each active member of this scheme in accordance with—
- (a) section 14 of the Act (information about benefits); and
- (b) directions made under that section (Department directions).
Information to be provided by employers
180
- (1) An employer of a member of this scheme must, by such date as the scheme manager may specify, provide the scheme manager with such information as the scheme manager may request—
- (a) in connection with the scheme manager’s or scheme administrator’s functions in relation to this scheme; or
- (b) to enable the scheme manager or Department to fulfil any obligations on the scheme manager or Department set out in or under legislation.
- (2) An employer of a Fair Deal eligible person must provide to the scheme manager within 30 days after the end of each complete scheme year during which the employer is an employer of a Fair Deal eligible person—
- (a) a list of the Fair Deal eligible persons employed by the employer, stating whether they are active members of this scheme or have opted-out of active scheme membership; and
- (b) a statement confirming that the persons listed are eligible to be active members of this scheme.
- (3) An employer of a Fair Deal eligible person (P) must inform the scheme manager promptly and in any event within 28 days—
- (a) if P opts out of this scheme; or
- (b) of any changes to P’s eligibility to be an active member of this scheme including where P ceases to be eligible to be an active member of this scheme.
- (4) (a) An employer of a Fair Deal eligible person who is an active member of this scheme (M) must inform the scheme manager promptly and in any event within 28 days of any change in the matters set out in sub-paragraph (b) where the change affects M’s entitlement to benefits under or membership of this scheme.
- (b) The matters are—
- (i) M’s terms and conditions of employment including terms and conditions relating to any work done by M on functions or services other than the transferred services;
- (ii) M’s working pattern or hours; and
- (iii) M’s attendance at work, including any long term sick leave or other absences.
- (5) An employer of a Fair Deal eligible person must inform the scheme manager immediately the employer becomes aware of any circumstance (including any actual or proposed change in the employer’s status) which is one which may give rise to the termination of the Admission Agreement.
Protections for the scheme in relation to employers of Fair Deal eligible persons
181
- (1) Where an employer of a Fair Deal eligible person increases the pensionable earnings of a member of this scheme employed by the employer in a way which the scheme manager has determined is one where the resulting costs to this scheme or any connected scheme are costs which should be paid by the employer, the employer must pay to this scheme on demand the amount of the increase in this or the connected scheme’s costs or liabilities resulting from the increase.
- (2) Where a Fair Deal eligible person exercises a choice available to the person under this scheme which leads to an increase in the contributions that the person’s employer is required to pay under this scheme, the employer must pay to this scheme the amount of the increase in contributions.
- (3) Where an employer of a Fair Deal eligible person has breached any of the provisions of this scheme or any provision of the Admission Agreement the employer must pay to this scheme on demand the sum, as determined by the scheme manager, which is required to compensate this scheme for—
- (a) any increase in this scheme’s costs or liabilities resulting from the breach; and
- (b) any resulting additional administration expenses incurred by or on behalf of this scheme.
- (4) Where an employer of a Fair Deal eligible person has entered into a contractual agreement (whether in the Admission Agreement or otherwise) with the scheme manager or the Department to lodge a bond with the scheme, the scheme manager or Department may call on the bond in the circumstances provided for in the contractual agreement.
- (5) Where a person has entered into an agreement (whether in the Admission Agreement or otherwise) to indemnify this scheme in respect of contributions and other payments due to this scheme from an employer of a Fair Deal eligible person, that person must pay to this scheme on demand by the scheme manager or the Department the sums due under the indemnity, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
Transitional provisions
182
Schedule 2 has effect.
SCHEDULE 1 — Payments for extra pension
PART 1 — General
Interpretation
1
In this Schedule—
- “added pension option” means the option to make added pension payments;
- “amount of accrued added pension” means the total of—the amount of accrued added (self only) pension (if any); andthe amount of accrued added (all beneficiaries) pension (if any);
- “amount of extra pension” has the meaning given in paragraph 2;
- “appropriate pay period” means the pay period that the scheme manager considers appropriate;
- “effective pension age option” means the option to make effective pension age payments;
- “effective pension age payments” means periodical payments for an effective pension age made to this scheme;
- ...
- “overall limit of extra pension” has the meaning given in paragraph 3;
- “periodical payment period” means the period for which periodical payments for added pension or an effective pension age are payable;
- “period of service”, in relation to this scheme, means a continuous period of pensionable service under this scheme;
- “the relevant day”, in relation to a lump sum payment for added pension, means—if the scheme manager provides a statement of the amount of added pension, the first day after the period of one month beginning with the date of the statement; orotherwise, the day on which the lump sum payment is received by the scheme manager;
- “the relevant scheme year” means the scheme year in which the relevant day falls;
- “statement of the amount of added pension” means the statement referred to in paragraph 18;
- “third party” means a third party approved by the scheme manager to make payments for extra pension in respect of an active member of this scheme; and
- “value”, in relation to an effective pension age option, means a value determined by the scheme manager under Part 3 or 4 of this Schedule.
Meaning of “amount of extra pension”
2
The amount of extra pension at any given time is the total of the following—
- (a) the amount of accrued added pension at that time;
- (b) if the member has exercised one or more effective pension age options, the value of each option as at that time.
Meaning of “overall limit of extra pension”
3
- (1) The overall limit of extra pension is—
- (a) £6,500 for any scheme year ending before 1st April 2016; and
- (b) for any scheme year beginning on or after 1st April 2016—
- (i) the overall limit of extra pension determined by the Department in respect of that scheme year as published before the start of that scheme year; or
- (ii) if no such determination is made, the amount calculated under paragraph (2).
- (2) The amount is the amount to which the annual rate of a pension of an amount equal to the overall limit of extra pension for the previous scheme year would have been increased under the 1971 Act if—
- (a) that pension were eligible to be so increased; and
- (b) the beginning date for that pension were the first day of the previous scheme year.
Limit on elections
4
An added pension option may not be exercised in relation to a member if the member has exercised an effective pension age option and—
- (a) the value of the effective pension age option exceeds the overall limit of extra pension; or
- (b) if the added pension option is exercised, the amount of extra pension would exceed the overall limit of extra pension.
Amount of accrued added pension may not exceed overall limit of extra pension
5
- (1) At any given time, the total amount of accrued added pension in all the active member’s accounts established for a member under Part 5 may not exceed the overall limit of extra pension.
- (2) If a member has opted to make periodical payments for added pension under this scheme, the scheme manager may by notice to the member cancel the added pension option if it appears to the scheme manager that the overall limit of extra pension will be exceeded if the member continues to make the periodical payments.
- (3) If the scheme manager cancels the option, the periodical payments cease to be payable from the next pay period beginning after the date specified in the notice of cancellation.
- (4) For the purpose of this paragraph, “amount of accrued added pension” does not include any amount attributable to a lump sum payable to a member under a compensation scheme.
Actuarial advice
6
The scheme manager must take advice from the scheme actuary before determining any amount under this Schedule.
PART 2 — Payments for added pension
CHAPTER 1 — Exercising the added pension option
Added pension option exercisable by member
7
- (1) An active member of this scheme may opt to make added pension payments to increase—
- (a) the member’s retirement benefits[^f00093]for a period of service; or
- (b) the member’s retirement benefits and death benefits payable in respect of the member for a period of service.
- (2) A member may exercise the added pension option by notice to the scheme manager in a form required by the scheme manager (“the option notice”).
- (3) The option notice must state whether the added pension payments are to be made by—
- (a) periodical payments; or
- (b) a lump sum payment.
- (4) If the whole or part of any lump sum payable to the member under a compensation scheme is to be used as a lump sum payment for added pension the option notice must specify this.
- (5) A member may exercise the added pension option more than once but an option to make a lump sum payment for added pension may only be exercised once in any scheme year.
- (6) An option to make a lump sum payment for added pension may only be exercised if the member—
- (a) either—
- (i) has been an active member of this scheme in relation to a continuous period of pensionable service for at least 12 months; or
- (ii) is a transition member within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule 2; and
- (b) has been provided with a statement of the amount of added pension (if paragraph 18 applies).
Added pension option exercisable by employer or third party
8
- (1) A third party or the employer of an active member of this scheme may, if the scheme manager approves, opt to make a lump sum payment for added pension to increase—
- (a) the member’s retirement benefits for a period of service; or
- (b) both the member’s retirement benefits and death benefits payable in respect of the member for a period of service.
- (2) The employer or third party may exercise an added pension option by notice to the scheme manager in a form required by the scheme manager (“the option notice”).
- (3) The employer or third party may exercise an added pension option more than once but only once in any scheme year.
- (4) If an active member opts for the whole or part of any lump sum payable to the member under a compensation scheme to be used to make a lump sum payment for added pension, the member’s employer may opt to make a lump sum payment under this regulation.
CHAPTER 2 — Periodical payments for added pension
Application of Chapter
9
This Chapter applies in relation to an active member of this scheme who opts to make periodical payments for added pension under this scheme.
Member’s option to make periodical payments for added pension
10
- (1) The option notice must specify—
- (a) the periodical payment period; and
- (b) the amount of the periodical payment to be deducted by the member’s employer from the member’s pensionable earnings in each pay period.
- (2) The amount of the periodical payment may be expressed as—
- (a) a percentage of the member’s pensionable earnings; or
- (b) a fixed sum.
- (3) The amount of the periodical payment must not be less than any minimum amount determined by the scheme manager.
Cancellation of option by member
11
- (1) The member may, by notice to the scheme manager, cancel the option at any time during the periodical payment period.
- (2) If the member cancels the option, the periodical payments cease to be payable from the beginning of the next scheme year after the scheme manager receives the notice of cancellation.
Periodical payments
12
- (1) The periodical payments are payable by deduction by the member’s employer from the member’s pensionable earnings during the periodical payment period.
- (2) The periodical payment period—
- (a) begins with—
- (i) if the member exercises the option within 3 months after joining this scheme, the first appropriate pay period beginning on or after the date on which the scheme manager receives the option notice; or
- (ii) in any other case, the first appropriate pay period of the scheme year beginning on or after the date on which the scheme manager receives the option notice; and
- (b) ends on the earlier of—
- (i) the date on which the member ceases to be an active member of this scheme; and
- (ii) the date specified in the option notice.
- (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), during a period of assumed pay the member may—
- (a) stop the periodical payments; or
- (b) continue the periodical payments as if the member were receiving pensionable earnings at the full rate.
- (4) During any period in which the member is receiving statutory maternity pay within the meaning of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992[^f00094] or is on paid ordinary maternity leave, paid adoption leave , paid shared parental leave or paid paternity leave, the member may—
- (a) stop the periodical payments; or
- (b) make periodical payments of an amount determined by reference to the member’s actual pay during that period.
- (5) If a member stops the periodical payments during a period of assumed pay, the member may, by notice to the scheme manager in a form required by the scheme manager, resume the periodical payments in the next pay period after the period of assumed pay ends.
Amount of added (self only) pension for a scheme year (periodical payments)
13
- (1) This paragraph applies in relation to each scheme year during which a member makes periodical payments to increase the member’s retirement benefits only.
- (2) An amount of added (self only) pension is credited to the active member’s account for that scheme year.
- (3) The amount is determined by the scheme manager by reference to published actuarial tables, having regard to the cost in the scheme year of providing retirement benefits to a person of the member’s age and gender.
Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension for a scheme year (periodical payments)
14
- (1) This paragraph applies in relation to each scheme year during which a member makes periodical payments to increase—
- (a) the member’s retirement benefits; and
- (b) death benefits payable in respect of the member.
- (2) An amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension is credited to the active member’s account for that scheme year.
- (3) The amount is determined by the scheme manager by reference to published actuarial tables, having regard to the cost in the scheme year of providing retirement benefits to—
- (a) a person of the member’s age; and
- (b) dependants of a person of that age.
CHAPTER 3 — Lump sum payments for added pension made by member
Application of Chapter
15
This Chapter applies in relation to an active member of this scheme who opts to make a lump sum payment for added pension under this scheme..
Member’s option to make a lump sum payment for added pension
16
- (1) The option notice must specify the amount of the lump sum which must not be less than any minimum amount determined by the scheme manager.
- (2) The lump sum is payable immediately to the scheme manager by deduction by the member’s employer from the member’s pensionable earnings or otherwise.
Payment by lump sum from a compensation scheme
17
- (1) This paragraph applies if the member specifies in the option notice that the whole or part of any lump sum payable to the member under a compensation scheme is to be used as a lump sum payment for added pension.
- (2) The member’s employer may make a lump sum payment for added pension in relation to the member using the whole or part of the lump sum specified in the option notice.
Statement of amount of added pension
18
- (1) If the scheme manager so requires, the member before exercising the option must ask the scheme manager to provide a statement of the amount of added pension.
- (2) A statement of the amount of added pension must set out the amount that would be credited to the active member’s account if the lump sum is received by the scheme manager within one month after the date of the statement.
- (3) The statement must also—
- (a) specify the overall limit of extra pension; and
- (b) inform the member if it appears to the scheme manager that the overall limit of extra pension would be exceeded if the active member’s account is credited with the amount of added pension set out in the statement.
Amount of added (self only) pension (lump sum payment)
19
- (1) This paragraph applies if a member opts to make a lump sum payment to increase the member’s retirement benefits only.
- (2) Following payment of the lump sum by the member an amount of added (self only) pension is credited to the active member’s account for the relevant scheme year.
- (3) The amount credited to the account is—
- (a) if the scheme manager has provided a statement of the amount of added pension and the lump sum is received by the scheme manager within one month after the date of the statement, the amount specified in the statement; or
- (b) otherwise, an amount determined by the scheme manager by reference to published actuarial tables, having regard to—
- (i) the amount of the lump sum;
- (ii) the cost as at the relevant day of providing retirement benefits to a person of the member’s age and gender;
- (iii) factors relating to the member’s circumstances as at the relevant day; and
- (iv) any other factors as at the date of the statement of the amount of added pension to which the scheme actuary considers regard should be had.
Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension (lump sum payment)
20
- (1) This paragraph applies if a member opts to pay a lump sum to increase—
- (a) the member’s retirement benefits; and
- (b) death benefits payable in respect of the member.
- (2) On payment of the lump sum by the member an amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension is credited to the active member’s account in the relevant scheme year.
- (3) The amount credited to the account is—
- (a) if the scheme manager has provided a statement of the amount of added pension and the lump sum is received by the scheme manager within one month after the date of the statement, the amount specified in the statement; or
- (b) otherwise, an amount determined by the scheme manager by reference to published actuarial tables, having regard to—
- (i) the amount of the lump sum;
- (ii) the cost as at the relevant day of providing retirement benefits to a person of the member’s age and dependants of a person of that age;
- (iii) factors relating to the member’s circumstances as at the relevant day; and
- (iv) any other factors as at the date of the statement of the amount of added pension to which the scheme actuary considers regard should be had.
CHAPTER 4 — Lump sum payments for added pension made by employer or third party
Application of Chapter
21
This Chapter applies in relation to an employer or third party who opts to make a lump sum payment for added pension in relation to an active member of this scheme.
Employer or third party option to make a lump sum payment for added pension
22
- (1) The option notice must specify the amount by which the member’s added (self only) pension or added (all beneficiaries) pension for the relevant scheme year is to be increased.
- (2) The amount of the lump sum payment is—
- (a) if the option notice specifies an increase in the member’s added (self only) pension, an amount determined by the scheme manager, after consultation with the scheme actuary, having regard to the cost as at the relevant day of providing retirement benefits to a person of the member’s age and gender; and
- (b) if the option notice specifies an increase in the member’s added (all beneficiaries) pension an amount determined by the scheme manager, after consultation with the scheme actuary, having regard to the cost as at the relevant day of providing retirement benefits to—
- (i) a person of the member’s age; and
- (ii) the dependants of such a person.
- (3) The lump sum payment must be paid in a manner determined by the scheme manager after consultation with the scheme actuary.
- (4) The scheme manager must notify the employer or third party of the amount of the lump sum and the manner in which it is to be paid.
Amount of added (self only) pension (lump sum payment)
23
- (1) This paragraph applies if an employer or third party opts to make a lump sum payment to increase the member’s added (self only) pension.
- (2) On payment of the lump sum by the employer or third party an amount of added (self only) pension is credited to the active member’s account in the relevant scheme year.
- (3) The amount credited to the account is an amount determined by the scheme manager, after consultation with the scheme actuary, having regard to the amount of the lump sum payment.
Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension (lump sum payment)
24
- (1) This paragraph applies if an employer or third party opts to pay a lump sum to increase the member’s added (all beneficiaries) pension.
- (2) On payment of the lump sum by the employer or third party an amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension is credited to the active member’s account in the relevant scheme year.
- (3) The amount credited to the account is an amount determined by the scheme manager, after consultation with the scheme actuary, having regard to the amount of the lump sum payment.
PART 3 — Effective pension age payments
CHAPTER 1 — Exercising the effective pension age option
Effective pension age option exercisable by the member
25
- (1) This paragraph applies if an active member of this scheme in relation to a continuous period of pensionable service has a normal pension age above 65 years.
- (2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), the member may opt to make periodical payments for an effective pension age of 1, 2 or 3 years below the member’s normal pension age (“effective pension age option”).
- (3) An effective pension age option may not be exercised to achieve an effective pension age below 65 years.
- (4) The member may opt to make periodical payments for an effective pension age of any period up to 3 years below the member’s normal pension age if that would achieve an effective pension age of 65 years.
- (5) An effective pension age is—
- (a) relative to normal pension age; and
- (b) automatically adjusted to reflect any change in normal pension age.
Exercising the effective pension age option
26
- (1) A member may exercise an effective pension age option by notice to the scheme manager in any form the scheme manager may require (“the option notice”).
- (2) The option notice must state the effective pension age which is to apply under the option.
- (3) A member may exercise an effective pension age option more than once.
- (4) A member may not exercise an effective pension age option during—
- (a) a period of assumed pay; or
- (b) any scheme year in which the member has reached the overall limit of extra pension for that year.
Payment of pension at effective pension age
27
- (1) For any part of a scheme year in which a member makes periodical payments for an effective pension age option, the member is entitled to payment of a full retirement earned pension or partial retirement earned pension attributable to the option at the effective pension age stated in the option without actuarial reduction.
- (2) The amount of pension attributable to the option is reduced if the periodical payments are stopped before the end of the periodical payment period.
- (3) For any period in which the periodical payments are stopped, an amount of standard earned pension is credited to the active member’s account instead of an amount of earned pension attributable to the option.
Member ceases to be in pensionable service under this scheme
28
- (1) An effective pension age option in relation to a continuous period of pensionable service under this scheme ceases to have effect when the member ceases to be in that pensionable service.
- (2) Periodical payments cease to be payable from the member’s last day of pensionable service.
- (3) In the circumstances provided for in regulation 139(2), the member is entitled to a refund under that regulation of the periodical payments.
- (4) If the member re-enters pensionable service under this scheme after a gap in pensionable service not exceeding 5 years, the periodical payments resume in the first pay period after the member re-enters pensionable service unless—
- (a) the periodical payments have been refunded to the member under regulation 139; or
- (b) a transfer payment has been made to another scheme in respect of the member’s accrued rights under this scheme.
- (5) The periodical payments resume under sub-paragraph (4) even if the member has reached the overall limit of extra pension for the scheme year in which the payments resume.
Cancellation of option
29
- (1) A member may, by notice to the scheme manager, cancel an effective pension age option at any time during the periodical payment period.
- (2) If the member cancels the option, the periodical payments cease to be payable from the beginning of the next scheme year after the scheme manager receives notice of the cancellation.
- (3) If the member exercises an effective pension age option again within a period not exceeding 5 years, the periodical payments resume from the first pay period of the next scheme year beginning after the date on which the member exercises the option again.
- (4) The periodical payments resume under sub-paragraph (3) even if the member has reached the overall limit of extra pension for the scheme year in which the payments resume.
Value of an effective pension age option
30
- (1) The value of an effective pension age option at any time is a value determined by the scheme manager as at that time[^f00095].
- (2) A member who has exercised an effective pension age option—
- (a) may at any time ask the scheme manager to provide a statement of the value of the effective pension age option; and
- (b) must ask the scheme manager to provide a statement of the value of the effective pension age option before an added pension option may be exercised in relation to the member.
CHAPTER 2 — Making effective pension age payments
Amount of periodical payments
31
- (1) Periodical payments for an effective pension age are payable by deduction by the member’s employer from the member’s pensionable earnings in every pay period during the periodical payment period.
- (2) The amount of the periodical payments is an amount—
- (a) determined by the scheme manager; and
- (b) set out in a notice to the member.
- (3) The scheme manager must determine the amount by reference to published actuarial tables having regard to—
- (a) the member’s age and gender; and
- (b) the number of years before the member will reach normal pension age.
- (4) Before the start of every scheme year, the scheme manager must—
- (a) review the amount of the periodical payments; and
- (b) if the scheme manager re-determines the amount, send the member notice of the amount payable from the start of the next scheme year.
Periodical payment period
32
The periodical payment period—
- (a) begins with—
- (i) if the member exercises the option within 3 months after joining this scheme, the first appropriate pay period beginning on or after the date on which the scheme manager receives the option notice; or
- (ii) in any other case, the first appropriate pay period of the scheme year beginning on or after the date on which the scheme manager receives the option notice; and
- (b) ends on the earlier of—
- (i) the date on which the member ceases to be in pensionable service in the eligible employment to which the option relates; and
- (ii) the date on which the member reaches the effective pension age.
Periodical payments during period of assumed pay
33
- (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), during a period of assumed pay the member may—
- (a) stop the periodical payments; or
- (b) continue the periodical payments as if the member were receiving pensionable earnings at the full rate.
- (2) During any period in which the member is receiving statutory maternity pay within the meaning of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992[^f00096] or is on paid ordinary maternity leave, paid adoption leave , paid shared parental leave or paid paternity leave, the member may—
- (a) stop the periodical payments; or
- (b) make periodical payments of an amount determined by reference to the member’s actual pay during that period.
- (3) If a member stops the periodical payments during a period of assumed pay, the member may, by notice to the scheme manager in a form required by the scheme manager, resume the periodical payments in the next pay period after the period of assumed pay ends.
SCHEDULE 2 — Transitional provisions
PART 1 — General
Interpretation-general
1
In this Schedule—
- “Article 3(3A) eligible person” means a person who is eligible to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) by virtue of being a person who is in service in an office or employment specified in a list produced for the purposes of Article 3(3A) (superannuation schemes as respects civil servants, etc) of the 1972 Order[^f00097];
- “closing date”, in relation to a transition member, means—if the member is a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI), 31st March 2022;if the member is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI), the tapered protection closing date for that member; orif the member is not a protected member of that scheme, the scheme closing date;
- “existing public body pension scheme” means a public body pension scheme specified on a list published by the Department for the purpose of this Schedule;
- “full protection member”, in relation to the PCSPS(NI), has the meaning given in paragraph 9;
- “protected member”, in relation to the PCSPS(NI), means a full protection member or tapered protection member of that scheme;
- “protection period”—for a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI), has the meaning given in paragraph 10;for a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI), has the meaning given in paragraph 20;
- “tapered protection closing date”, in relation to a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI), has the meaning given in paragraph 3;
- “tapered protection member”, in relation to the PCSPS(NI), has the meaning given in paragraph 19;
- “transition date”, in relation to a transition member, means—if the member is a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI), 1st April 2022;if the member is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI), the day after the tapered protection closing date for that member;if the member is not a protected member of that scheme, the day after the scheme closing date or, if later, the day the person ceased to be a protected member of the scheme;
- “transition member” means a person—who is a member of the PCSPS(NI) by virtue of the person’s pensionable service under that scheme before the transition date; andwho is a member of this scheme by virtue of the person’s pensionable service under this scheme.
Meaning of “continuity of service”
2
- (1) For the purposes of this Schedule, a transition member (T) has continuity of service between pensionable service in the PCSPS(NI) and pensionable service in this scheme (“continuity of service”) unless T has a gap in service exceeding 5 years which—
- (a) begins on or before T’s transition date ; and
- (b) ends on the day on which T becomes an active member of this scheme.
- (2) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (1), after the scheme closing date T is not on a gap in service while T is in service which is pensionable under an existing scheme, an existing public body pension scheme, a scheme under section 1 of the Act or a new public body pension scheme.
Meaning of “tapered protection closing date”
3
- (1) The tapered protection closing date for a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) other than a member to whom paragraph 9(5) or 27 applies is—
- (a) if the member exercises the option under Part 4 of this Schedule, the scheme closing date; or
- (b) if the member does not exercise that option, a date between 31st May 2015 and 31st January 2022 (inclusive) determined by the scheme manager by reference to a table published for that purpose.
- (2) A tapered protection closing date determined under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must fall on the last day of a month.
- (3) The tapered protection closing date for a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) to whom paragraph 9(5) or 27 applies is a date before 1st April 2022 determined by the scheme manager.
Meaning of “active member of the PCSPS(NI)”
4
- (1) This paragraph applies to a person (P) who is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) other than as an Article 3(3A) eligible person.
- (2) For the purpose of Parts 2 and 3 of this Schedule, P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on a given date if on that date—
- (a) P is in pensionable service under that scheme; or
- (b) if P is on a gap in service not exceeding 5 years.
- (3) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (2)(b), after the scheme closing date P is not on a gap in service while P is in pensionable public service.
Meaning of “active member of an existing scheme”
5
- (1) For the purpose of Parts 2 and 3 of this Schedule, a person (P) is an active member of an existing scheme (other than the PCSPS(NI)) on a given date if on that date—
- (a) P is in pensionable service under that scheme; or
- (b) P is on a gap in service not exceeding 5 years.
- (2) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (1)(b), after the closing date for the existing scheme P is not on a gap in service while P is in pensionable public service.
- (3) In sub-paragraph (2), “the closing date for the existing scheme” means the date referred to in section 18(4)of the Act, as applicable.
Meaning of “active member of an existing public body pension scheme”
6
- (1) For the purpose of Parts 2 and 3 of this Schedule, a person (P) is an active member of an existing public body pension scheme on a given date if on that date—
- (a) P is in pensionable service under that scheme; or
- (b) P is on a gap in service not exceeding 5 years.
- (2) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (1)(b), after the closing date for the existing public body pension scheme, P is not on a gap in service while P is in pensionable public service.
- (3) In sub-paragraph (2), “the closing date for the existing public body pension scheme” means the date determined under section 32(2) of the Act by the public authority responsible for that scheme.
Commencement of active membership of this scheme
7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART 2 — Exceptions to section 18(1) of the Act: full protection members of the PCSPS(NI)
Interpretation of Part
8
In this Part—
- “active member of an existing public body pension scheme” has the meaning given in paragraph 6;
- “active member of an existing scheme” has the meaning given in paragraph 5; and
- “active member of the PCSPS(NI)” has the meaning given in paragraph 4
Full protection members of the PCSPS(NI)
9
- (1) A person (P) to whom any of paragraphs 12 to 17 applies is a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI).
- (2) P ceases to be a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI) on whichever of the following days occurs first—
- (a) the day on which P ceases to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) unless sub-paragraph (3) or (4) applies; or
- (b) 31st March 2022.
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (b) P would have been a fully protected member of that existing scheme or existing public body pension scheme had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI).
- (4) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) otherwise than from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (b) P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) after a gap in service not exceeding 5 years.
- (5) If P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) in circumstances where sub-paragraph (6) applies, P is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) when P returns to that service.
- (6) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (b) P would have been a protected member of the existing scheme or existing public body pension scheme by virtue of an exception to which section 18(8)(a) and (b) of the Act (or that section as applied by section 32(4)) applies had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI).
- (7) In this paragraph—
- “exception” means–in relation to an existing scheme, an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6) of the Act provided for in scheme regulations in relation to that scheme ;in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme;
- “fully protected member” of an existing scheme or an existing public body scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies, which exception is one to which section 18(7) of the Act (or that section as applied by section 32(4)) applies for the purposes of that scheme.
- (8) For the purpose of paragraph (4)(b), after the scheme closing date P is not on a gap in service while P is in pensionable public service.
Exception for full protection members during protection period
10
- (1) The protection period for a person (P) who is a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI) is the period which—
- (a) begins on the day after the scheme closing date (or if paragraph 15(3) applies, the day after the existing public body pension scheme closed to all members); and
- (b) ends when P ceases to be a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI) (unless P is a tapered protection member by virtue of paragraph 9(5)).
- (2) During the protection period—
- (a) P is eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI);
- (b) section 18(1) of the Act does not apply in respect of that pensionable service; and
- (c) benefits are to be provided under the PCSPS(NI) to or in respect of P in relation to that pensionable service.
Full protection member not eligible to join this scheme
11
While a person (P) is a full protection member of the PCSPS(NI), P is not eligible to be an active member of this scheme.
Members of the PCSPS(NI) on scheme closing date
12
- (1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraph (2) or sub-paragraph (3) applies.
- (2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on the scheme closing date and on 31st March 2012; and
- (b) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under that scheme on or before 1st April 2022.
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI) or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (b) P was an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on the scheme closing date; and
- (c) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) and P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st April 2022.
Pre-fresh start prison officers
13
- (1) This paragraph applies if P was in service as a pre-fresh start prison officer under Section II of the PCSPS(NI) on—
- (a) 31st March 2012;
- (b) the scheme closing date; and
- (c) 1st April 2015.
- (2) For the purposes of this paragraph, P is in service as a pre-fresh start prison officer if P is in service as a prison officer to whom rule 2.26 of Section II of the PCSPS(NI) applies.
- (3) In sub-paragraph (2), “in service as a prison officer” has the meaning given in rule 2.25 of Section II of the PCSPS(NI).
Members of an existing scheme
14
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI) or an existing public body pension scheme on the closing date for that scheme;
- (b) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (c) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI);
- (d) P would have been a fully protected member of the existing scheme referred to in paragraph (c) had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and
- (e) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) and P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st April 2022.
- (2) For the purposes of this paragraph—
- (a) the closing date for an existing scheme is the date referred to in section 18(4) of the Act, as applicable;
- (b) the closing date for an existing public body pension scheme is the date determined under section 32(2) of the Act by the public authority responsible for that scheme;
- (c) “exception”, in relation to an existing scheme, means an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6) of the Act provided for in scheme regulations in relation to that scheme ; and
- (d) “fully protected member” of an existing scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies, which exception is one to which section 18(7) of the Act applies for the purposes of that scheme.
Members of an existing public body pension scheme
15
This paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (b) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (c) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) and P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st April 2022.
Fair Deal eligible persons transferred out on or before 31st March 2012
16
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) in the case of a person who is an Article 3(3A) eligible person, sub-paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply; or
- (b) in the case of a person who is a civil servant or a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order, sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) apply.
- (2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P ceased to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on a date (P’s transfer date) on or before 31st March 2012;
- (b) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (i) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (ii) a civil servant; or
- (iii) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
on a date (P’s re-joining date) after 31st March 2012;and
- (c) Between P’s transfer date and P’s re-joining date—
- (i) P was not eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) and was continuously employed to carry out functions or services related to P’s pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) before P’s transfer date ; or
- (ii) P was only eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of a transfer of the transferred services, and during such period that P would have been eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of the transfer P was–
- (aa) an active member of the PCSPS(NI); and
- (bb) continuously employed to carry out the transferred services whilst P was eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI).
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (a) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (b) a civil servant; or
- (c) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
continuously after P’s re-joining date.
- (4) This sub-paragraph applies if P is a Fair Deal eligible person.
- (5) This sub-paragraph applies if P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) before 2nd April 2022.
- (6) In this paragraph, “continuously” means without a gap of any period.
Fair Deal eligible persons transferred out after 31st March 2012
17
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) in the case of a person who is an Article 3(3A) eligible person, sub-paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply; or
- (b) in the case of a person who is a civil servant or a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order, sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) apply.
- (2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (b) P ceased to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) or of this scheme on a date (P’s transfer date) after 31st March 2012;
- (c) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme throughout the period between 31st March 2012 and P’s transfer date;
- (d) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (i) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (ii) a civil servant; or
- (iii) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
on a date (P’s re-joining date) after P’s transfer date; and
- (e) Between P’s transfer date and P’s re-joining date—
- (i) P was not eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) and was continuously employed to carry out functions or services related to P’s pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) before P’s transfer date ; or
- (ii) P was only eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of a transfer of the transferred services, and during such period that P would have been eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of the transfer P was–
- (aa) an active member of the PCSPS(NI); and
- (bb) continuously employed to carry out the transferred services whilst P was eligible to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI).
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (a) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (b) a civil servant; or
- (c) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
continuously after P’s re-joining date.
- (4) This sub-paragraph applies if P is a Fair Deal eligible person.
- (5) This sub-paragraph applies if P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) and P’s transitional scheme before 2nd April 2022.
- (6) In this paragraph, “continuously” means without a gap of any period.
PART 3 — Exceptions to section 18(1) of the Act: tapered protection members of the PCSPS(NI)
Interpretation of Part
18
In this Part—
- “active member of an existing public body pension scheme” has the meaning given in paragraph 6;
- “active member of an existing scheme” has the meaning given in paragraph 5; and “active member of the PCSPS(NI)” has the meaning given in paragraph 4.
Tapered protection members of the PCSPS(NI)
19
- (1) A person (P) to whom any of paragraphs 22 to 27 applies is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI).
- (2) P ceases to be a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) on whichever of the following days occurs first—
- (a) P’s tapered protection closing date; or
- (b) the day on which P ceases to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI), unless sub- paragraph (3) or sub-paragraph (4) applies.
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) Before P’s transition date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (b) P would have been a protected member of that existing scheme or existing public body pension scheme had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI).
- (4) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) Before P’s transition date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) otherwise than from service which is pensionable under an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (b) P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) after a gap in service not exceeding 5 years.
- (5) In this paragraph— “exception” means–
- (a) in relation to an existing scheme, an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6) of the Act provided for in scheme regulations in relation to that scheme ;
- (b) in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme; and
- (6) “protected member” of an existing scheme or an existing public body scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies for the purposes of that scheme.
- (7) For the purpose of paragraph (4)(b), after the scheme closing date P is not on a gap in service while P is in pensionable public service.
Exception for tapered protection members during protection period
20
- (1) The protection period for a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI) is the period which—
- (a) begins on the day after the scheme closing date (or if paragraph 24(3) applies, the day after the day that the existing public body pension scheme closed to any further accrual by members of benefits under the scheme); and
- (b) ends when P ceases to be a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI).
- (2) During the protection period—
- (a) P is eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI);
- (b) section 18(1) of the Act does not apply in respect of that pensionable service; and
- (c) benefits are to be provided under the PCSPS(NI) to or in respect of P in relation to that pensionable service.
Tapered protection member not eligible to join this scheme
21
While a person (P) is a tapered protection member of the PCSPS(NI), P is not eligible to be an active member of this scheme.
Members of the PCSPS(NI) on scheme closing date
22
- (1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraph (2) or sub-paragraph (3) applies.
- (2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on the scheme closing date and on 31st March 2012; and
- (b) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) between 2nd April 2022 and 1st September 2025 (inclusive).
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI), or of an existing public body pension scheme, (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (b) P was an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on the scheme closing date; and
- (c) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—
- (i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and
- (ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.
Members of an existing scheme
23
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI) or an existing public body pension scheme on the closing date for that scheme;
- (b) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (c) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI);
- (d) P would have been a protected member of the existing scheme referred to in paragraph (c) had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and
- (e) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—
- (i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and
- (ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.
- (2) For the purposes of this paragraph—
- (a) the closing date for an existing scheme is the date referred to in section 18(4) of the Act, as applicable;
- (b) the closing date for an existing public body pension scheme is the date determined under section 32(2) of the Act by the public authority responsible for that scheme;
- (c) “exception”, in relation to an existing scheme, means an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6) of the Act provided for in scheme regulations in relation to that scheme ; and
- (d) “protected member of the existing scheme” means a person in respect of whom an exception applies for the purposes of that scheme.
Members of an existing public body pension scheme
24
This paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (b) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing public body pension scheme; and
- (c) P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—
- (i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and
- (ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.
Fair Deal eligible persons transferred out on or before 31st March 2012
25
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) in the case of a person who is an Article 3(3A) eligible person, sub-paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply; or
- (b) in the case of a person who is a civil servant or a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order, sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) apply.
- (2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P ceased to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) on a date (P’s transfer date) on or before 31st March 2012;
- (b) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (i) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (ii) a civil servant; or
- (iii) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
on a date (P’s re-joining date) after 31st March 2012; and
- (c) Between P’s transfer date and P’s re-joining date—
- (i) P was not eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) and was continuously employed to carry out functions or services related to P’s pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) before P’s transfer date ; or
- (ii) P was only eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of a transfer of the transferred services, and during such period that P would have been eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of the transfer P was–
- (aa) an active member of the PCSPS(NI); and
- (bb) continuously employed to carry out the transferred services whilst P was eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI).
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (a) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (b) a civil servant; or
- (c) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
continuously after P’s re-joining date.
- (4) This sub-paragraph applies if P is a Fair Deal eligible person.
- (5) This sub-paragraph applies if P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025.
- (6) In this paragraph, “continuously” means without a gap of any period.
Fair Deal eligible persons transferred out after 31st March 2012
26
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) in the case of a person who is an Article 3(3A) eligible person, sub-paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply; or
- (b) in the case of a person who is a civil servant or a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order, sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) apply.
- (2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
- (a) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
- (b) P ceased to be an active member of the PCSPS(NI) or of this scheme on a date (P’s transfer date) after 31st March 2012;
- (c) P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme throughout the period between 31st March 2012 and P’s transfer date;
- (d) P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (i) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (ii) a civil servant; or
- (iii) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
on a date (P’s re-joining date) after P’s transfer date; and
- (e) Between P’s transfer date and P’s re-joining date—
- (i) P was not eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) and was continuously employed to carry out functions or services related to P’s pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) before P’s transfer date ; or
- (ii) P was only eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of a transfer of the transferred services, and during such period that P would have been eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI) as a result of the transfer P was–
- (aa) an active member of the PCSPS(NI); and
- (bb) continuously employed to carry out the transferred services whilst P was eligible to be in pensionable service under the PCSPS(NI).
- (3) This sub-paragraph applies if P is an active member of the PCSPS(NI) as—
- (a) an Article 3(3A) eligible person;
- (b) a civil servant; or
- (c) a person serving in an employment or office listed in Schedule 1 to the 1972 Order,
continuously after P’s re-joining date.
- (4) This sub-paragraph applies if P is a Fair Deal eligible person.
- (5) This sub-paragraph applies if, P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under—
- (i) the PCSPS(NI) during the period beginning with 2nd April 2022 and ending with 1st September 2025; and
- (ii) P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st September 2025.
- (6) In this paragraph, “continuously” means without a gap of any period.
Tapered protection members of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme
27
- (1) This paragraph applies if—
- (a) paragraph 14 or 15 of this Schedule would have applied but for the fact that P would not have been a fully protected member of the existing scheme or existing public body pension scheme referred to in paragraph 14(1)(c) or 15(2)(c), as applicable (“the transferring scheme”) on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and
- (b) P would have been a protected member of the transferring scheme by virtue of an exception to which section 18(8)(a) and (b) of the Act (or that section as applied by section 32(4)) applies had P re-entered service which is pensionable under the transferring scheme on the date P returns to service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI).
- (2) In this paragraph— “exception” means–
- (a) in relation to an existing scheme, an exception under section 18(5) or 18(6)of the Act provided for in scheme regulations in relation to that scheme ;
- (b) in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme; and
“fully protected member” of an existing scheme or an existing public body scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies, which exception is one to which section 18(7) of the Act (or that section as applied by section 32(4)) applies for the purposes of that scheme.
PART 4 — Option for tapered protection members of the PCSPS(NI)
Option to begin pensionable service before the transition date
28
- (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a tapered protection member (P) of the PCSPS(NI) who is in pensionable service in the PCSPS(NI) at any time during—
- (a) the period beginning with 15th August 2014 and ending with 30th September 2014; or
- (b) any other period determined by the scheme manager.
- (2) Not later than 31st October 2014 (or within any longer period determined by the scheme manager), the scheme manager may offer P the option to begin pensionable service under this scheme on the day after the scheme closing date.
- (3) If P does not exercise the option within 3 months after the date of the offer (or within any longer period determined by the scheme manager), P begins pensionable service under this scheme on P’s transition date.
PART 5 — Payment of ill-health benefits to transition members with continuity of service
Transition member who has not reached normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI)
29
- (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a transition member with continuity of service who—
- (za) is not a person in relation to whom paragraph 29B applies;
- (a) becomes entitled to an ill-health pension under this scheme; and
- (b) has not reached normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI).
- (2) If this paragraph applies—
- (a) an ill-health pension and lump sum are not payable under the PCSPS(NI);
- (b) an ill-health pension is payable under this scheme in accordance with this paragraph; and
- (c) the member becomes a deferred member of the PCSPS(NI).
- (3) If the member meets the lower tier payment threshold only—
- (a) the annual rate of ill-health pension payable under this scheme is the sum of–
- (i) the annual rate of a lower tier earned pension payable under this scheme; and
- (ii) the annual rate of full retirement earned pension that would, if the member was entitled to payment of an ill-health pension under the PCSPS(NI), be payable to the member at normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI); and
- (b) the member (“M”) is entitled to payment of a lump sum of the amount of the lump sum that would, had M been entitled to payment of an ill-health pension under the PCSPS(NI), been payable to M under the rules of the PCSPS(NI) applicable to M.
- (4) Subject to sub-paragraphs (4A) and (4B) and paragraph 29A, if the member meets the upper tier payment threshold—
- (a) the annual rate of ill-health pension payable under this scheme is the sum of–
- (i) the annual rate of a lower tier earned pension payable under this scheme;
- (ii) the annual rate of an upper tier top up earned pension payable under this scheme; and
- (iii) the annual rate of full retirement earned pension that would, if the member was entitled to payment of an ill-health pension under the PCSPS(NI), be payable to the member at normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI); and
- (b) the member (“M”) is entitled to payment of a lump sum of the amount of the lump sum that would, had M been entitled to payment of an ill-health pension under the PCSPS(NI), been payable to M under the rules of the PCSPS(NI) applicable to M.
- (4A) Where the conditions in sub-paragraph (4B) are met, the annual rate of an upper tier top up earned pension payable under this scheme is determined in accordance with paragraph 29A.
- (4B) The conditions are—
- (a) In the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which M became an active member of this scheme—
- (i) M was on a period of unpaid sick leave; or
- (ii) M was on a period of sick leave on reduced pay in respect of which M was paid at a rate determined by M’s employer to be appropriate because it is equivalent to the annual rate of an ill-health pension;
- (b) The latest period of leave mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) ended less than 12 months before M became entitled to an ill-health pension under this scheme.
- (5) If, after the ill-health pension becomes payable under this paragraph, a transfer payment is made from the PCSPS(NI) in respect of the member’s rights under that scheme, the scheme manager must deduct from the amount of ill-health pension payable under this paragraph in respect of service in the PCSPS(NI) an amount which is equal to the value of the pension represented by that transfer payment.
- (6) If the full retirement account specifies an amount of full retirement added pension of any description, the following pensions are payable with the lower tier earned pension—
- (a) the annual rate of full retirement added pension of that description payable under this scheme; and
- (b) the annual rate of full retirement added pension that would, if the member was entitled to payment of an ill-health pension under the PCSPS(NI), be payable to the member with that pension under the PCSPS(NI).
- (7) The amount of pension payable under this paragraph which represents the amount that would have been payable under the PCSPS(NI) is subject to the same conditions, and ceases to be payable in the same circumstances, as the pension to which the member would have been entitled under the PCSPS(NI) in accordance with the rules of that scheme.
- (8) In this paragraph—
- (a) a reference to the annual rate of a full retirement earned pension payable under the PCSPS(NI) means the annual pension payable under the following provisions–
- (i) if the member was an active member of Section I of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rule D1 of that Section;
- (ii) if the member was an active member of Section II of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rules 3.1 to 3.3a of that Section;
- (iii) if the member was an active member of Section III of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rule E.2 of that Section;
- (b) a reference to full retirement added pension payable under the PCSPS(NI) means added pension payable under the following provisions–
- (i) if the member was an active member of Section I of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rule C1.11 of that Section;
- (ii) if the member was an active member of Section II of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rule 14.13 of that Section;
- (iii) if the member was an active member of Section III of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rule E.2 of that Section; and
- (c) a reference to an ill-health pension payable under the PCSPS(NI) means a pension payable under the following provisions–
- (i) if the member was an active member of Section I of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rule D4 of that Section;
- (ii) if the member was an active member of Section II of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rules 3.4 to 3.7 of that Section;
- (iii) if the member was an active member of Section III of the PCSPS(NI) before becoming an active member of this scheme, rules E.7 to E.9 of that Section.
Transition member who has reached normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI)
30
- (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a transition member with continuity of service who is receiving payment of an ill-health pension in accordance with paragraph 29.
- (2) When the member reaches normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI)—
- (a) the benefits payable under paragraph 29 in respect of service in the PCSPS(NI) cease to be payable under this scheme; ...
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