Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Pensions Act 2004

Type Public General Act

Publication 2004-11-18

Last updated 2024-11-18

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

[^key-c7198771d1480c25e4c5aaa3b1e20518]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 3(10) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(2)

[^key-56c81a6d8acc4697390dbe5dd2335cde]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 3(10) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(3)

[^key-eaff785a4f1f007ce0668766da6b32ef]: Word in Sch. 7 para. 10(8) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(6)(a)

[^key-b61947cdf69b773dcb85cad018f319ac]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 10(8) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(6)(b)

[^key-4131e641db41269cb41737b0c737a768]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 11(8) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(3)

[^key-84e707cc6779c0b411ddbda2db752950]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 11(8) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(5)

[^key-08a909db4c4f50654df8a0f7d95fd5d5]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 14(9) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(3)

[^key-55f70d22252c703462a2394b6da34cc9]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 14(9) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(5)

[^key-ae69c4c69deade73a09b41f1a7327ba1]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 15(6) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(2)

[^key-87efb5692f13d3d587fefdf0b98ffe77]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 15(6) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(3)

[^key-822349ed7775128ea995fb310873b884]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 19(8) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(2)

[^key-3823cce37c601c5adc5bbf7a89f04237]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 19(8) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(3)

[^key-e5a1e55ab44168b2f9cd1cd352cc970d]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 5(8) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(2)

[^key-e176cf4d17dca5257a1e19938affa085]: Sch. 7 para. 7(6) substituted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(4)

[^key-b84dd10ca0f857f692d6bf06121bfa3e]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 8(8) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(5)

[^key-66a7cfa742decd571324ee078aceb0f4]: Sch. 7 para. 20(6) substituted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(7)

[^key-1590838fdf7d5e0a270e0744812d73c6]: Sch. 7 para. 22(4) substituted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(8)

[^key-87b2c5ea2963c5dabcc84ef8eff2c83a]: Sch. 7 para. 24(3) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(10)

[^key-94db1fe6f9388c854ecf8065d7ff65b4]: Sch. 7 para. 26 omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(11)

[^key-8ea976ec1f4810065e7b181dec47c549]: Sch. 7 para. 26A omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(11)

[^key-a2fdf3d3d4260fd6bf06a3ce37633ab2]: Sch. 7 para. 27 omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(11)

[^key-e6600894b73a94650fadc9ff1a43b4cb]: Sch. 7 para. 28(4) omitted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 3(12)

[^key-ff4a60266f32287777f9343661ba8ac3]: Word in s. 87(2)(h) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 56(2)(a)

[^key-c7f0e36dcd4f1481f5a6a4d9822b258c]: Word in s. 201(2)(g) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 56(2)(b)

[^key-6241be2f19920db7cd7bd13f8ad8724a]: Words in s. 256(1)(b) substituted (1.1.2024) by Pensions Dashboards (Prohibition of Indemnification) Act 2023 (c. 14), ss. 1(1), 2(4); S.I. 2023/1414, reg. 2

[^key-9f2992470ddfdda4fa1d65fb18971191]: S. 316(2)(ia)-(ic) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 11; S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-ac9cdb0ae300d76c032cc0cc369a888b]: Ss. 221A, 221B inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 2; S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-1866279d4c21400d8e4eab45cce2bd5c]: Words in s. 224(8) substituted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 4(3); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b) (with reg. 4)

[^key-8c0d7c68eb6b16ef2aac2767a5050bfc]: S. 224(7A) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 4(2); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b) (with reg. 4)

[^key-b9dac3f943ff2176f57a747b81d8dbab]: S. 226(3A) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 5; S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-475afea4497e05db1a86261f63e7046b]: S. 80(1)(a)(iva) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 10(b); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-41144464abcd6b38117ed63e5106a7f3]: S. 231(1)(zza) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 7(2); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-adf9a83c568a13a756cc1fa4135561ce]: S. 222(2A) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 3(2); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b) (with reg. 3)

[^key-1030ed49970b5f89aebc32e673707d6e]: S. 60(2)(ca) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 9; S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-cce829f30c5091a50e36c25eee77630d]: Word in s. 80(1)(a)(iv) omitted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 10(a); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-57e79d058f59e1fa23193e29707d026b]: Words in s. 222(3)(b) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 3(3); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b) (with reg. 3)

[^key-bc995435e47787bca37d3498af1c1cce]: S. 229(1)(za) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 6; S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-e3f11300b33b0984178bf21f15608c20]: S. 231(2)(aa) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), s. 131(1)(3)(b), Sch. 10 para. 7(3); S.I. 2024/451, reg. 2(b)

[^key-9b98a3c7d2737412c45dee9a724e8688]: Sch. 7 para. 25B(1)(d) omitted (18.11.2024 for the tax year 2024-25 and subsequent tax years) by virtue of The Pensions (Abolition of Lifetime Allowance Charge etc) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1012), regs. 1(2)(3), 9(a)

[^key-b440558bda666e303cdb6335df94be48]: Words in Sch. 7 para. 25B(4) omitted (18.11.2024 for the tax year 2024-25 and subsequent tax years) by virtue of The Pensions (Abolition of Lifetime Allowance Charge etc) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1012), regs. 1(2)(3), 9(b)

The Pensions Regulator

Non-executive functions

Annual reports to Secretary of State

Pension liberation: interpretation

Freezing orders

Effect of winding up order on freezing order

Appointments of trustees by the Regulator

Disqualification

Restoration orders: supplementary

Regulator’s right to apply under section 423 of Insolvency Act 1986

Duty to report breaches of the law

Duty to give notices and statements to the Regulator in respect of certain events

Approval of notices issued under section 122

Accounts and audit

Meaning of “employer” in Part 1 of the Pensions Act 1995

Requirement for member-nominated directors of corporate trustees

Requirement for knowledge and understanding: individual trustees

Payments made by employers to personal pension schemes

Winding up

Debt due from the employer when assets insufficient

Resolution of disputes

Investigations

Annual increase in rate of certain personal pensions

Exemption from statutory revaluation requirement

Power to prescribe conditions by reference to Inland Revenue approval

Meaning of “stakeholder pension scheme”

Claims for certain benefits following termination of reciprocal agreement with Australia

General interpretation

Minor and consequential amendments

Dissolution of OPRA

Repeals and revocations

Inspection of premises: powers of inspectors

Insolvency practitioner’s duty to issue notices confirming status of scheme

Accounts and audit

Borrowing by trustees

Inalienability of occupational pension

Winding up

Debt due from the employer when assets insufficient

Resolution of disputes

Investigations

Power to increase pensions giving effect to pension credits etc

Exemption from statutory revaluation requirement

Meaning of “stakeholder pension scheme”

Claims for certain benefits following termination of reciprocal agreement with Australia

Repeals and revocations

Minor and consequential amendments

Meaning of “employer” in Part 1 of the Pensions Act 1995

Payments made by employers and members to occupational pension schemes

Debt due from the employer when assets insufficient

Resolution of disputes

Annual increase in rate of certain personal pensions

Meaning of “working life” in Pension Schemes Act 1993

Power to prescribe conditions by reference to Inland Revenue approval

Financial assistance scheme for members of certain pension schemes

Consultations about regulations

Effect of discharge of liability during or immediately before assessment period

23A

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) at any time during the assessment period in relation to the scheme (or, if there has been more than one such assessment period, the last one) any liability to provide pensions or other benefits to or in respect of any member or members under the scheme is discharged by virtue of—

(i) regulations under section 135(4), or

(ii) the Board validating any action mentioned in section 135(9), or

(b) any such liability is discharged on the assessment date, but before the commencement of the assessment period,

and compensation is payable in accordance with this Schedule in respect of the pensions or other benefits (apart from this paragraph).

(2) Any entitlement to compensation under this Schedule in respect of the pensions or other benefits that arose before the discharge ceases on the discharge, except so far as the entitlement was to a payment falling to be made before the discharge.

(3) After the discharge any compensation payable under this Schedule in respect of the pensions or other benefits is determined on the basis that–

(a) the discharge occurred immediately before the assessment date, and

(b) the admissible rules of the scheme provided—

(i) for the discharge to occur at that time, and

(ii) accordingly, for entitlement under those rules to the pensions or other benefits then to cease or, as the case may be, to cease to the extent to which liability in respect of them is discharged.

3A

The issue of, or failure to issue, a validation notice under regulation 2(5) of the Pension Protection Fund (Entry Rules) Regulations 2005 (S.I.2005/590) (determination to validate or not to validate an estimate and statement provided by the actuary).

17A

The making of a payment under section 166(2) (amount of any pensions or other benefits which a person had become entitled to payment of under the scheme rules), the amount of any such payment or the failure to make such a payment.

13A

The duty under section 23(4), and regulations made thereunder, to compile and maintain a register of persons who satisfy prescribed conditions to act as independent trustees, but only in so far as that duty entails the removal of a person from that register if he does not satisfy, or no longer satisfies, any such prescribed condition.

15A

The power under section 58(7) to extend or further extend the period referred to in section 58(6) of that Act in relation to a schedule of contributions for an occupational pension scheme.

15B

The power under section 60(7) to extend or further extend the period applicable under section 60(3) of that Act in relation to securing an increase in the value of the assets of an occupational pension scheme.

7A

Any determination by the Board under section 141(2) (determination on a review of an ill health pension that compensation in respect of the pension is to be determined in the prescribed manner).

249A

(1) The trustees or managers of an occupational pension scheme must establish and operate an effective system of governance including internal controls.

(1A) The system of governance must be proportionate to the size, nature, scale and complexity of the activities of the occupational pension scheme.

(2) Nothing in this section affects any other obligation of the trustees or managers of an occupational pension scheme to establish or operate an effective system of governance including internal controls, whether imposed by or by virtue of any enactment, the scheme rules or otherwise.

(3) This section does not apply in relation to—

(za) a public service pension scheme;

(a) any other scheme which—

(i) is established by or under an enactment (including a local Act), and

(ii) is guaranteed by a public authority;

(b) a pay-as-you-go scheme;

(c) a scheme which is made under paragraph 8, 12 or 16 of Schedule 6 to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (power to provide for pensions for Members of the House of Commons etc.);

(d) the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme as defined in section 4 of the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 (asp1);

(e) an authorised Master Trust scheme within the meaning of Part 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 2017;

(f) an authorised collective money purchase scheme within the meaning of Part 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 2021.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In this section—

“enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament;

“internal controls” means—arrangements and procedures to be followed in the administration and management of the scheme,systems and arrangements for monitoring that administration and management, andarrangements and procedures to be followed for the safe custody and security of the assets of the scheme;

“local authority” means—in relation to England, a county council, a district council, a London borough council, the Greater London Authority, the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority or the Council of the Isles of Scilly,in relation to Wales, a county council or county borough council,in relation to Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39) (constitution of councils),an administering authority as defined in Schedule 1 to the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997 (S.I.1997/1612) (interpretation);

“pay-as-you-go scheme” means an occupational pension scheme under which there is no requirement for assets to be set aside in advance for the purpose of providing benefits under the scheme (disregarding any requirements relating to additional voluntary contributions);

“public authority” means—a Minister of the Crown (within the meaning of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (c. 26)),a government department (including any body or authority exercising statutory functions on behalf of the Crown),the Scottish Ministers,the National Assembly for Wales, ora local authority.

Delegation

22

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PART 5 — OTHER FUNCTIONS

45

The power to make an order under regulation 19 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/349) to waive or relax any of the requirements of regulations 6 to 16 of those Regulations.

3B

The provision of information by the Board under—

(a) regulation 3(2) of the Pension Protection Fund (Provision of Information) Regulations 2005 (S.I.2005/674) (provision of information following receipt of a notice under section 120(2)),

(b) regulation 3(2A) of those Regulations (provision of information following receipt of a notice under section 120(2) where the scheme or section is not eligible), or

(c) regulation 3(9) of those Regulations (provision of information following receipt of an application under section 129(1) or a notice under section 129(4)),

or the failure to provide information under those provisions.

16A

Any step taken by the Board under section 163(4)(a) (adjustments to be made where Board assumes responsibility for a scheme) to recover the amount of any excess from future pension compensation payments.

16B

Any determination by the Board, or the failure to make a determination, under regulation 6(2) of the Pension Protection Fund (General and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006 (S.I.2006/580) (circumstances where the Board is not required to recover overpaid scheme benefits).

17B

Any determination made by the Board under regulation 16(2) or (5)(b) of the Pension Protection Fund (General and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006 (S.I.2006/580) (recovery of PPF compensation overpayments).

231A

(1) Where an occupational pension scheme in respect of which a recovery plan has been prepared under section 226 begins to wind up during the recovery period, the trustees or managers of the scheme must as soon as reasonably practicable prepare a winding up procedure.

(2) A winding up procedure must—

(a) set out the action to be taken to establish the liabilities to or in respect of the members of the scheme, in respect of pensions or other benefits, and to recover any assets of the scheme;

(b) give an estimate of the amount of time it will take to establish those liabilities and to recover any such assets;

(c) give an indication of which of the accrued rights or benefits (if any), to which a person is entitled under the scheme, are likely to be affected by a reduction in actuarial value;

(d) specify which one or more of the ways mentioned in subsection (3)(a) to (e) of section 74 of the Pensions Act 1995 will be used to discharge the liabilities to or in respect of the members of the scheme in respect of pensions or other benefits;

(e) give an estimate of the amount of time it will take to discharge those liabilities.

(3) The requirement imposed by subsection (2)(c) applies only to the extent that the trustees or managers have sufficient information to give such an indication.

(4) A winding up procedure must be appropriate having regard to the nature and circumstances of the scheme.

(5) A winding up procedure may be reviewed, and if necessary revised, where the trustees or managers consider that there are reasons that may justify a variation to it.

(6) The trustees or managers must send a copy of any winding up procedure to the Regulator as soon as reasonably practicable after it has been prepared or, as the case may be, revised.

(7) Where any requirement of this section is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

(8) In this section “recovery period”, in relation to an occupational pension scheme, means the period specified in the scheme’s recovery plan in accordance with section 226(2)(b).

19A

Any determination by the Board of an application for the grant of a waiver under regulation 3 of the Pension Protection Fund (Waiver of Pension Protection Levy and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/771) (waiver of payment of the pension protection levy) or the failure to make such a determination.

212A

(1) As soon as is reasonably practicable, the PPF Ombudsman shall send to the Comptroller and Auditor General a statement of the PPF Ombudsman’s accounts in respect of a financial year.

(2) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall—

(a) examine, certify and report on a statement received under this section; and

(b) send a copy of the statement and the report to the Secretary of State who shall lay them before Parliament.

(3) In this section “financial year” means a period of 12 months ending with 31st March.

286A

(1) This section applies to any qualifying pension scheme which has not been fully wound up.

(2) The trustees of the scheme must not purchase or agree to purchase annuities on behalf of qualifying members unless—

(a) before 26 September 2007 the trustees entered into a binding commitment to purchase the annuities, or

(b) the purchase of the annuities is approved by the scheme manager on the application of the trustees and any condition imposed under subsection (4)(b) is satisfied.

(3) An application under subsection (2)(b) must be in writing and must set out the trustees' reasons for applying.

(4) An approval under subsection (2)(b)—

(a) may be given if the scheme manager thinks it appropriate to do so, and

(b) may be made subject to such conditions (if any) as the scheme manager thinks appropriate.

(5) If the trustees fail to comply with subsection (2), the purchase or agreement to purchase is void if the scheme manager so determines.

(6) A determination under subsection (5) may be made if the scheme manager thinks it appropriate to do so.

(7) When making a decision under this section as to whether something is appropriate, the scheme manager may take into account such factors as are in the scheme manager's opinion relevant.

(8) An application under the Financial Assistance Scheme (Halting Annuitisation) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2533) that has not been determined before 26 June 2008 has effect as if made under subsection (2)(b).

(9) An approval given under those regulations has effect for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) as if given under this section.

(10) In this section “qualifying pension scheme”, “qualifying member” and “scheme manager” have the same meaning as in section 286.

(11) Regulations may provide that references in this section to the scheme manager have effect as references to such person as may be prescribed.

38A

(1) For the purposes of section 38 the material detriment test is met in relation to an act or failure if the Regulator is of the opinion that the act or failure has detrimentally affected in a material way the likelihood of accrued scheme benefits being received (whether the benefits are to be received as benefits under the scheme or otherwise).

(2) In this section any reference to accrued scheme benefits being received is a reference to benefits the rights to which have accrued by the relevant time being received by, or in respect of, the persons who were members of the scheme before that time.

(3) In this section “the relevant time” means—

(a) in the case of an act, the time of the act, or

(b) in the case of a failure—

(i) the time when the failure occurred, or

(ii) where the failure continued for a period of time, the time which the Regulator determines and which falls within that period;

and, in the case of acts or failures to act forming part of a series, any reference in this subsection to an act or failure is a reference to the last of the acts or failures in that series.

(4) In deciding for the purposes of section 38 whether the material detriment test is met in relation to an act or failure, the Regulator must have regard to such matters as it considers relevant, including (where relevant)—

(a) the value of the assets or liabilities of the scheme or of any relevant transferee scheme,

(b) the effect of the act or failure on the value of those assets or liabilities,

(d) the effect of the act or failure on any of those obligations (including whether the act or failure causes the country or territory in which any of those obligations would fall to be enforced to be different),

(e) the extent to which any person is likely to be able to discharge any scheme obligation in any circumstances (including in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy),

(f) the extent to which the act or failure has affected, or might affect, the extent to which any person is likely to be able to do as mentioned in paragraph (e), and

(g) such other matters as may be prescribed.

(5) In subsection (4) “scheme obligation” means a liability or other obligation (including one that is contingent or otherwise might fall due) to make a payment, or transfer an asset, to—

(a) the scheme, or

(b) any relevant transferee scheme in respect of any persons who were members of the scheme before the relevant time.

(6) In this section—

(a) “relevant transferee scheme” means any work-based pension scheme to which any accrued rights to benefits under the scheme are transferred;

(b) any reference to the assets or liabilities of any relevant transferee scheme is a reference to those assets or liabilities so far as relating to persons who were members of the scheme before the relevant time.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6)(a) the reference to the transfer of accrued rights of members of a pension scheme to another pension scheme includes a reference to the extinguishing of those accrued rights in consequence of the obligation to make a payment, or transfer an asset, to that other scheme.

(8) In this section—

(a) “work-based pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 5(3);

(b) any reference to rights which have accrued is to be read in accordance with section 67A(6) and (7) of the Pensions Act 1995 (reading any reference in those subsections to a subsisting right as a reference to a right which has accrued).

(9) In deciding for the purposes of this section whether an act or failure has detrimentally affected in a material way the likelihood of accrued scheme benefits being received, the following provisions of this Act are to be disregarded—

(a) Chapter 3 of Part 2 (the Board of the Pension Protection Fund: pension protection), and

(b) section 286 (the financial assistance scheme for members of certain pension schemes).

(10) Regulations may amend any provision of subsections (4) to (8).

Section 38 contribution notice: meaning of “material detriment test”

38B

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a warning notice is given to any person (“P”) in respect of a contribution notice under section 38, and

(b) the contribution notice under consideration would be issued wholly or partly by reference to the Regulator's opinion that the material detriment test is met in relation to an act or deliberate failure to act to which P was a party.

(2) If the Regulator is satisfied that P has shown that—

(a) conditions A and C are met, and

(b) where applicable, condition B is met,

the Regulator must not issue the contribution notice by reference to its being of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

(3) Condition A is that, before becoming a party to the act or failure, P gave due consideration to the extent to which the act or failure might detrimentally affect in a material way the likelihood of accrued scheme benefits being received.

(4) Condition B is that, in any case where as a result of that consideration P considered that the act or failure might have such an effect, P took all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential detrimental effects that the act or failure might have on the likelihood of accrued scheme benefits being received.

(5) Condition C is that, having regard to all relevant circumstances prevailing at the relevant time, it was reasonable for P to conclude that the act or failure would not detrimentally affect in a material way the likelihood of accrued scheme benefits being received.

(6) P is to be regarded as giving the consideration mentioned in condition A only if P has made the enquiries, and done the other acts, that a reasonably diligent person would have made or done in the circumstances.

(7) For the purposes of condition C—

(a) “the relevant time” means the time at which the act occurred or the failure to act first occurred;

(b) the reference to the circumstances mentioned in that condition is a reference to those circumstances of which P was aware, or ought reasonably to have been aware, at that time (including acts or failures to act which have occurred before that time and P's expectation at that time of other acts or failures to act occurring).

(8) In the case of acts or failures to act forming part of a series, P is to be regarded as having shown the matters mentioned in subsection (2) if P shows in the case of each of the acts or failures in the series that—

(a) conditions A and C are met, and (where applicable) condition B is met, in relation to the act or failure, or

(b) the act or failure was one of a number of acts or failures (a “group” of acts or failures) selected by P in relation to which the following matters are shown.

(9) The matters to be shown are that—

(a) before becoming a party to the first of the acts or failures in the group, condition A is met in relation to the effect of the acts or failures in the group taken together,

(b) condition B is (where applicable) met in relation to that effect, and

(c) condition C is then met in relation to each of the acts or failures in the group (determined at the time at which each act or failure concerned occurred or first occurred).

(10) If at any time P considers that condition C will not be met in relation to any particular act or failure in the group—

(a) the previous acts or failures in the group are to be regarded as a separate group for the purposes of subsection (8), and

(b) P may then select another group consisting of the particular act or failure concerned, and any subsequent act or failure, in relation to which P shows the matters mentioned in subsection (9).

Nothing in paragraph (b) is to be read as preventing P from showing the matters mentioned in subsection (8)(a).

(11) If—

(a) P is unable to show in the case of each of the acts or failures in the series that the matters set out in subsection (8)(a) or (b) are met, but

(b) does show in the case of some of them that those matters are met,

the acts or failures within paragraph (b) are not to count for the purposes of section 38A as acts or failures to act in the series.

(12) In this section—

(a) “a warning notice” means a notice given as mentioned in section 96(2)(a);

(b) a reference to a party to an act or failure to act includes a reference to a person who knowingly assists in the act or failure;

and subsection (9) of section 38A applies for the purposes of conditions A to C as it applies for the purposes of that section.

(13) Regulations may amend this section.

39A

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Regulator is of the opinion that in relation to a scheme (“the initial scheme”) in relation to which section 38 applies—

(i) an act or failure to act falling within subsection (5) of that section has occurred (or first occurred) at any time, and

(ii) the other conditions in that section for issuing a contribution notice are met in relation to the initial scheme (or, but for any transfer falling within paragraph (b), would be met), and

(b) the accrued rights of at least two persons who were members of the initial scheme are transferred at that or any subsequent time to one or more work-based pension schemes (whether by virtue of the act or otherwise).

(2) The Regulator may issue a contribution notice under section 38 in relation to any transferee scheme (and, accordingly, any reference in section 40 or 41 to the scheme is to the transferee scheme).

(3) In the case of any contribution notice issued by virtue of subsection (2) to any transferee scheme which is not within subsection (5)(a) or (b), section 39 has effect as if any reference in that section to the scheme were a reference to whichever of—

(a) the initial scheme, and

(b) the transferee scheme,

the Regulator determines to be more appropriate in the circumstances.

(4) In any case where section 39 has effect in relation to the transferee scheme by virtue of subsection (3), any reference in that section to a debt under section 75 of the 1995 Act is a reference to so much of that debt as, in the Regulator's opinion, is attributable to those members of the transferee scheme who were members of the initial scheme.

(5) In the case of any contribution notice issued by virtue of subsection (2) to any transferee scheme which is—

(a) a scheme to which section 75 of the 1995 Act does not apply, or

(b) a scheme to which that section does apply in a case where the liabilities of the scheme that would be taken into account for the purposes of that section do not relate to the members of the initial scheme,

the sum specified by the Regulator in the notice is determined in accordance with regulations (and not in accordance with section 39).

(6) The Regulator may also issue a direction to the trustees or managers of any transferee scheme requiring them to take specified steps to secure that the sum payable under the notice is applied for the benefit of the members of the transferee scheme who were members of the initial scheme.

(7) If the trustees or managers fail to comply with a direction issued to them under subsection (6), section 10 of the 1995 Act (civil penalties) applies to any trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

39B

(1) In section 39A a “transferee scheme”, in relation to any time, means any work-based pension scheme—

(a) to which the accrued rights of at least two persons who were members of the initial scheme have been transferred, and

(b) of which any of those persons are members at that time.

(2) For the purposes of section 39A(1) and subsection (1) above it does not matter whether any rights are transferred to a work-based pension scheme directly from the initial scheme or following one or more other transfers to other work-based pension schemes.

(3) For the purposes of section 39A and this section references to the transfer of accrued rights of members of a pension scheme to another pension scheme include references to the extinguishing of those accrued rights in consequence of the obligation to make a payment, or transfer an asset, to that other scheme.

(4) In section 39A and this section—

(a) “the 1995 Act” means the Pensions Act 1995;

(b) “work-based pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 5(3);

(c) any reference to rights which have accrued is to be read in accordance with section 67A(6) and (7) of the 1995 Act (reading any reference in those subsections to a subsisting right as a reference to a right which has accrued).

(5) Section 39A applies even if the initial scheme—

(a) is wound up as a result of any transfer falling within subsection (1)(b) of that section, or

(b) otherwise ceases to exist at the time of the transfer or at any subsequent time.

(6) Accordingly, in any such case, in subsection (1) of that section—

(a) the reference to a scheme to which section 38 applies is a reference to a scheme which was such a scheme before the transfer;

(b) the reference to any conditions in section 38 being met is a reference to any conditions in that section that, but for the transfer, would have been met in relation to the scheme.

(7) Nothing in section 39A or this section is to be read as preventing the Regulator from issuing a contribution notice in relation to the initial scheme.

(8) Regulations may make provision applying, with or without modifications, any provision made by or under section 39A or this section in relation to any scheme or other arrangement in any case where the accrued rights of persons who were members of the initial scheme are transferred or extinguished directly or indirectly in consequence of or otherwise in connection with—

(a) the making of any payment at any time to or for the benefit of the scheme or other arrangement,

(b) the transfer of any asset at any time to or for the benefit of the scheme or other arrangement,

(c) the discharge (wholly or partly) at any time of any liability incurred by or on behalf of the scheme or other arrangement, or

(d) the incurring at any time of any obligation to do any act falling within paragraph (a) to (c).

(9) Any reference in subsection (8)(a) to (d) to the doing of an act of any description at any time in relation to the scheme or other arrangement includes a reference to the doing of an act of that description at any previous time in relation to any other scheme or other arrangement.

(10) Regulations under subsection (8) may—

(a) make provision having effect in relation to any case where rights are transferred or extinguished on or after the date on which the Secretary of State publishes a statement of the intention to make the regulations; and

(b) without prejudice to section 315(5), make consequential provision applying with modifications any provision of this Act which relates to contribution notices under section 38.

43A

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Regulator is of the opinion by reference to any time that the conditions in section 43 for issuing a financial support direction are met in relation to a scheme (“the initial scheme”) in relation to which that section applies (or, but for any transfer falling within paragraph (b), would be met), and

(b) the accrued rights of at least two persons who were members of the initial scheme are transferred at any subsequent time to one or more work-based pension schemes.

(2) The Regulator may issue a financial support direction under that section in relation to any transferee scheme (and, accordingly, any reference in section 45 or any of sections 47 to 50 to the scheme is to the transferee scheme).

(3) The Regulator may also issue a direction to the trustees or managers of any transferee scheme requiring them to take specified steps to secure that the financial support is put in place for the benefit of the members of the transferee scheme who were members of the initial scheme.

(4) If the trustees or managers fail to comply with a direction issued to them under subsection (3), section 10 of the 1995 Act (civil penalties) applies to any trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

43B

(1) In section 43A a “transferee scheme”, in relation to any time, means any work-based pension scheme—

(a) to which the accrued rights of at least two persons who were members of the initial scheme have been transferred, and

(b) of which any of those persons are members at that time.

(2) For the purposes of section 43A(1) and subsection (1) above it does not matter whether any rights are transferred to a work-based pension scheme directly from the initial scheme or following one or more other transfers to other work-based pension schemes.

(3) For the purposes of section 43A and this section references to the transfer of accrued rights of members of a pension scheme to another pension scheme include references to the extinguishing of those accrued rights in consequence of the obligation to make a payment, or transfer an asset, to that other scheme.

(4) In section 43A and this section—

(a) “the 1995 Act” means the Pensions Act 1995;

(b) “work-based pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 5(3);

(c) any reference to rights which have accrued is to be read in accordance with section 67A(6) and (7) of the 1995 Act (reading any reference in those subsections to a subsisting right as a reference to a right which has accrued).

(5) Section 43A applies even if the initial scheme—

(a) is wound up as a result of any transfer falling within subsection (1)(b) of that section, or

(b) otherwise ceases to exist at the time of the transfer or at any subsequent time.

(6) Accordingly, in any such case, in subsection (1) of that section—

(a) the reference to a scheme to which section 43 applies is a reference to a scheme which was such a scheme before the transfer;

(b) the reference to any conditions in section 43 being met is a reference to any conditions in that section that, but for the transfer, would have been met in relation to the scheme.

(7) Nothing in section 43A or this section is to be read as preventing the Regulator from issuing a financial support direction in relation to the initial scheme.

(8) Regulations may make provision applying, with or without modifications, any provision made by section 43A or this section in relation to any scheme or other arrangement in any case where the accrued rights of persons who were members of the initial scheme are transferred or extinguished directly or indirectly in consequence of or otherwise in connection with—

(a) the making of any payment at any time to or for the benefit of the scheme or other arrangement,

(b) the transfer of any asset at any time to or for the benefit of the scheme or other arrangement,

(c) the discharge (wholly or partly) at any time of any liability incurred by or on behalf of the scheme or other arrangement, or

(d) the incurring at any time of any obligation to do any act falling within paragraph (a) to (c).

(9) Any reference in subsection (8)(a) to (d) to the doing of an act of any description at any time in relation to the scheme or other arrangement includes a reference to the doing of an act of that description at any previous time in relation to any other scheme or other arrangement.

(10) Regulations under subsection (8) may—

(a) make provision having effect in relation to any case where rights are transferred or extinguished on or after the date on which the Secretary of State publishes a statement of the intention to make the regulations; and

(b) without prejudice to section 315(5), make consequential provision applying with modifications any provision of this Act which relates to financial support directions under section 43.

Contribution notice where failure to comply with restoration order

Inspection of premises in respect of employers' obligations

Deferral of retirement pensions and shared additional pensions

Dissolution of OPRA

30A

The power to issue a direction under section 39A(6) to any person.

33A

The power to issue a direction under section 43A(3) to any person.

Supply of information held by the Regulator

4

(1) This paragraph applies to information which is held—

(a) by the Regulator;

(b) by a person providing services to the Regulator, in connection with the provision of those services.

(2) Information to which this paragraph applies may be supplied—

(a) to the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department, or

(b) to a person providing services to the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department,

for use for the purposes of functions relating to private pensions policy or retirement planning.

(3) In this paragraph—

“private pensions policy” means policy relating to schemes which are occupational pension schemes or personal pension schemes within the meaning of Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2008;

“retirement planning” and “the Northern Ireland Department” have the same meaning as in paragraph 2.

3A

A power under section 24H (compliance with conditions of conversion of guaranteed minimum pension).

Postponement of compensation

25A

(1) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which, and conditions subject to which—

(a) a person who becomes entitled to periodic compensation under paragraph 5, 8, 11 or 15 may elect to postpone the commencement of periodic compensation under that paragraph, and

(b) a person who becomes entitled to lump sum compensation under paragraph 7, 10, 14 or 19 may elect to postpone the payment of lump sum compensation under that paragraph.

(2) Where the commencement of periodic compensation under paragraph 5, 8, 11 or 15 ceases to be postponed, the Board must determine—

(a) the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of that paragraph, as at the time the periodic compensation would have commenced if its commencement had not been postponed, and

(b) the amount in paragraph (a), increased in accordance with actuarial factors published by the Board.

(3) References in this Schedule to the amount of an actuarial increase under this paragraph, in relation to periodic compensation, are to the difference between the amounts in sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b).

(4) Where the payment of lump sum compensation under paragraph 7, 10, 14 or 19 ceases to be postponed, the Board must determine—

(a) the relevant amount, as at the time the lump sum compensation would have been payable if its payment had not been postponed, and

(b) the amount in paragraph (a), increased in accordance with actuarial factors published by the Board.

(5) References in this Schedule to the amount of an actuarial increase under this paragraph, in relation to lump sum compensation, are to the difference between the amounts in sub-paragraphs (4)(a) and (4)(b).

(6) In sub-paragraph (4) the “relevant amount” means (as appropriate)—

(a) the amount mentioned in paragraph 7(2)(a),

(b) the aggregate of the amounts mentioned in paragraph 10(2)(a) and (b),

(d) the amount mentioned in paragraph 19(3)(a).

Terminal illness lump sum: eligibility

25B

(1) This paragraph applies to a person in relation to whom all of the following conditions are met—

(a) the person is terminally ill;

(b) if the person lived to the relevant age, the person would become entitled on attaining that age to relevant compensation in relation to the scheme;

(c) the person has not yet become entitled to any compensation under the pension compensation provisions in relation to the scheme;

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) A person to whom this paragraph applies may make an application to the Board to commute the future entitlement mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for a lump sum (“a terminal illness lump sum”) payable on the granting of the application.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter a person is “terminally ill” at any time if at that time the person suffers from a progressive disease and the person's death in consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months.

(4) In this paragraph—

“relevant age”, in relation to a person, means—in relation to compensation entitlement to which has been accelerated ... under regulations under paragraph 25 ..., the age at which the person becomes entitled to the compensation in accordance with the regulations;in relation to compensation entitlement to which has not been so accelerated ..., normal pension age (or, in a case to which paragraph 21 or 21A applies, normal benefit age);

“relevant compensation” means—periodic compensation under paragraph 11 or 15, orlump sum compensation under paragraph 14 or 19.

(5) Sub-paragraph (6) applies where—

(a) the commencement of a person's periodic compensation under paragraph 11 or 15 is postponed by virtue of paragraph 25A, or

(b) the payment of a person's lump sum compensation under paragraph 14 or 19 is postponed by virtue of that paragraph.

(6) This paragraph applies as if—

(a) the person first becomes entitled to compensation under the paragraph in question immediately after the period of postponement ends, and

(b) in sub-paragraph (1)(b), for “if the person lived to the relevant age, the person would become entitled on attaining that age” there were substituted “ if the period of postponement ended, the person would become entitled ”.

Terminal illness lump sum: application

25C

An application for a terminal illness lump sum—

(a) must be made in writing, either on a form approved by the Board for the purposes of this paragraph or in such other manner as the Board may accept as sufficient in the circumstances of the case;

(b) must be accompanied by such information as the Board may require for the purpose of determining the application.

Terminal illness lump sum: determination of application

25D

(1) The Board must determine an application for a terminal illness lump sum in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) The Board must—

(a) if satisfied that the conditions in paragraph 25B(1) are met in relation to the applicant, grant the application;

(b) in any other case (subject to sub-paragraph (3)), reject the application.

(3) The Board may hold over the application for determination at a later date if it is satisfied that—

(a) although the condition in paragraph 25B(1)(a) is not met in relation to the applicant, the applicant suffers from a progressive disease and may become terminally ill within six months, and

(b) the conditions in paragraph 25B(1)(b) to (d) are met in relation to the applicant.

Terminal illness lump sum: effect of successful application

25E

(1) If the Board grants an application for a terminal illness lump sum, the applicant—

(a) becomes entitled to a terminal illness lump sum calculated in accordance with this paragraph, and

(b) loses the entitlement the applicant otherwise would have had on attaining the relevant age to relevant compensation in relation to the scheme.

(2) The amount of the terminal illness lump sum is 2 times the sum of—

(a) the periodic compensation annual amount, and

(b) the lump sum compensation annual amount.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) “the periodic compensation annual amount” means the annual amount to which the applicant would have been entitled under paragraph 11 or 15 in relation to the scheme in the year following the granting of the application, if the applicant had attained the relevant age on the granting of the application.

(4) In sub-paragraph (2) “the lump sum compensation annual amount” means the annualised value of the lump sum to which the applicant would have been entitled under paragraph 14 or 19 in relation to the scheme on the granting of the application, if the applicant had attained the relevant age on the granting of the application.

(5) In sub-paragraph (4) “the annualised value” of a lump sum means the annualised actuarially equivalent amount of that sum, determined in accordance with actuarial factors published by the Board.

(6) In this paragraph “relevant compensation” and “the relevant age” have the same meanings as in paragraph 25B.

(7) Where on the granting of the application—

(a) the commencement of a person's periodic compensation under paragraph 11 or 15 is postponed by virtue of paragraph 25A, or

(b) the payment of a person's lump sum compensation under paragraph 14 or 19 is postponed by virtue of that paragraph,

this paragraph applies as if the references to the person attaining the relevant age were references to the period of postponement ending.

Terminal illness lump sum: information

25F

(1) Relevant information held by the Secretary of State about an individual may be disclosed to the Board for use for a purpose relating to—

(a) the Board's functions under paragraphs 25B to 25E;

(b) the compliance of the trustees or managers of a pension scheme with section 138 (limit on amount of scheme benefits payable during an assessment period).

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “relevant information” means information held for the purposes of any function of the Secretary of State relating to—

(a) social security, or

(b) any scheme made under section 286 (financial assistance scheme).

181A

(1) Regulations may make provision for interest to be charged at the prescribed rate in the case of late payment of a pension protection levy.

(2) Interest is payable by or on behalf of the person or persons by or on behalf of whom the levy is payable.

(3) Interest payable by a person by virtue of this section is a debt due from the person to the Board.

(4) Interest is recoverable by the Board or, if the Board so determines, by the Regulator on its behalf.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may include provision relating to—

(a) the collection and recovery of interest;

(b) the circumstances in which interest may be waived.

19B

Any determination by the Board under regulation 19A(7) or (8) of the Pension Protection Fund (General and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/580) (interest for late payment of the pension protection levy) to waive interest or the failure to make any such determination.

Independent trustees

Contribution notices where avoidance of employer debt

Financial support directions: clearance statements

Restoration orders: supplementary

Inspection of premises: supplementary

102A

(1) This section applies in respect of proceedings before a tribunal in relation to a decision of the Regulator.

(2) A person is guilty of an offence if that person, without reasonable excuse, refuses or fails—

(a) to attend following the issue of a summons by the tribunal; or

(b) to give evidence.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(4) A person is guilty of an offence if that person, without reasonable excuse—

(a) alters, suppresses, conceals or destroys a document which that person is or is liable to be required to produce for the purposes of proceedings before the tribunal; or

(b) refuses to produce a document when so required.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both.

(6) In this section “document” includes information recorded in any form and, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in a legible form, references to its production include references to producing a copy of the information in a legible form, or in a form from which it can readily be produced in a legible form.

Insolvency practitioner’s duty to issue notices confirming status of scheme

Approval of notices issued under section 122

Annual reports to Secretary of State

Meaning of “employer” in Part 1 of the Pensions Act 1995

Requirement for member-nominated trustees

Requirement for member-nominated directors of corporate trustees

Voluntary contributions

Payments made by employers and members to occupational pension schemes

Debt due from the employer when assets insufficient

Debt due from the employer in the case of multi-employer schemes

Jurisdiction

Annual increase in rate of certain personal pensions

Meaning of “stakeholder pension scheme”

Deferral of retirement pensions and shared additional pensions

Minor and consequential amendments

168A

(1) Regulations may make provision for the purpose of enabling the Board to recover prescribed charges in respect of complying with a relevant order or provision.

(2) In subsection (1) “a relevant order or provision” means any of the following—

(a) an order under section 23 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (financial provision in connection with divorce etc: England and Wales) so far as the order—

(i) includes provision made by virtue of section 25B or 25C of that Act (powers to include provision about pensions), and

(ii) applies in relation to the Board by virtue of section 25E of that Act;

(b) an order under section 23 of that Act so far as the order includes provision made by virtue of section 25F of that Act (attachment of pension compensation on divorce etc: England and Wales);

(c) an order under Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (financial provision orders in connection with dissolution of civil partnerships etc: England and Wales) so far as the order—

(i) includes provision made by virtue of Part 6 of that Schedule (powers to include provision about pensions), and

(ii) applies in relation to the Board by virtue of Part 7 of that Schedule;

(d) an order under Part 1 of that Schedule so far as the order includes provision made by virtue of paragraph 34A of that Schedule (attachment of pension compensation on dissolution of civil partnership etc: England and Wales);

(e) an order made under any provision corresponding to a provision mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) in force in Northern Ireland;

(f) an order under section 8(1)(baa) to (bb) of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (orders for financial provision) so far as the order applies in relation to the Board;

(g) any provision corresponding to provision which may be made by such an order and which is contained in a qualifying agreement (to which section 28(3) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, or section 110(1) of the Pensions Act 2008 relates) so far as the agreement applies in relation to the Board;

(h) an order or provision of a kind mentioned in section 28(1) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (pension sharing) so far as the order or provision applies in relation to the Board by virtue of section 220 of this Act.

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may include provision enabling the Board to set off against any PPF compensation payable to a person any charges owed to it by that person under the regulations.

(4) In this section “PPF compensation” means compensation payable—

(a) under or by virtue of this Chapter, or

(b) under or by virtue of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Pensions Act 2008 (pension compensation on divorce etc).

Discharge of liabilities in respect of money purchase benefits

Claims for certain benefits following termination of reciprocal agreement with Australia

Minor and consequential amendments

16C

Any determination by the Board of a person's entitlement to compensation under or by virtue of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Pensions Act 2008 (pension compensation sharing on divorce etc) or the failure in any case to make such a determination.

16D

A determination by the Board that any right of a person to PPF compensation is or is not “shareable” for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Pensions Act 2008 (pension compensation sharing on divorce).

16E

A determination by the Board that the implementation period for a pension compensation credit (within the meaning of that Chapter) is or is not extended for the purposes of section 114 of that Act.

16F

The recovery of a charge from a person under regulation 18 of the Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Sharing and Attachment on Divorce etc) Regulations 2011, the amount of the charge or the method of recovery.

292A

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

21A

(1) This paragraph applies to a person who—

(a) is a pension credit member of the scheme immediately before the assessment date, but

(b) has not attained normal benefit age before that date.

(2) But it applies only to the extent that the member's pension credit rights involve the member being credited by the scheme with notional pensionable service.

(3) Paragraphs 15 to 19 apply to the pension credit member as they apply to a deferred member who has not attained normal pension age before the assessment date, subject to the following modifications.

(4) In paragraph 15—

(a) in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) the references to normal pension age are to be read as references to normal benefit age, and

(b) for sub-paragraph (5) substitute—

(5) In sub-paragraph (4) “the accrued amount” means an amount equal to the initial annual rate of the pension to which the deferred member would have been entitled in accordance with the admissible rules had the member attained normal benefit age on the transfer day.

(5) In paragraph 16(2)(a) for the words from “day after” to “ended” substitute “ transfer day ”.

(6) In paragraph 17(2)(b) the reference to normal pension age is to be read as a reference to normal benefit age.

(7) In paragraph 18—

(a) for sub-paragraph (1)(b) substitute—

(b) the pension was attributable (directly or indirectly) to a pension credit to which the deferred member became entitled under section 29(1)(b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

, and

(b) in sub-paragraph (3) the references to normal pension age are to be read as references to normal benefit age.

(8) In paragraph 19—

(a) in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) the references to normal pension age are to be read as references to normal benefit age, and

(b) for sub-paragraph (5) substitute—

(5) In sub-paragraph (4) “the accrued amount” means an amount equal to the amount of the scheme lump sum to which the deferred member would have been entitled in accordance with the admissible rules had the member attained normal benefit age on the transfer day.

(9) In this paragraph “transfer day” has the meaning given by section 29 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (creation of pension debits and credits).

Financial assistance scheme for members of certain pension schemes

Deferral of retirement pensions and shared additional pensions

Financial penalty for providing false or misleading information to trustees or managers

Disclosure for facilitating exercise of functions by the Board

143A

(1) Where the Board makes a determination under section 143(2)(a) it must give a copy of the determination to—

(a) the Regulator,

(b) the trustees or managers of the scheme, and

(c) any insolvency practitioner in relation to the employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, the employer.

(2) For the purposes of this Chapter a determination under section 143(2)(a) is not binding until—

(a) the period within which the determination may be reviewed by virtue of Chapter 6 has expired, and

(b) if the determination is so reviewed—

(i) the review and any reconsideration,

(ii) any reference to the PPF Ombudsman in respect of the determination, and

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