The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Forfeiture, etc. N.I.

90.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6) and Article 91, an entitlement [F1 to a pension under an occupational pension scheme or a right to a future pension under such a scheme] cannot be forfeited.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not prevent forfeiture by reference to—

(a) a transaction or purported transaction which under Article 89 is of no effect,F2 . . .

Sub‐para. (b) rep. by 1999 NI 11

whether or not that event occurred before or after the pension became payable.

(3) Where such forfeiture as is mentioned in paragraph (2) occurs, any pension which was, or would but for the forfeiture have become, payable may, if the trustees or managers of the scheme so determine, be paid to all or any of the following—

(a) the member of the scheme to or in respect of whom the pension was, or would have become, payable,

[F3 (b) the spouse, civil partner, widow, widower or surviving civil partner of the member,]

(c) any dependant of the member, and

(d) any other person falling within a prescribed class.

(4) Paragraph (1) does not prevent forfeiture by reference to the[F1 pensioner, or prospective pensioner], having been convicted of one or more offences—

(a) which are committed before the pension becomes payable, and

(b) which are—

(i) offences of treason,

(ii) offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 for which the person has been sentenced on the same occasion to a term of imprisonment of, or to two or more consecutive terms amounting in the aggregate to, at least 10 years, or

(iii) prescribed offences.

(5) Paragraph (1) does not prevent forfeiture by reference to a failure by any person to make a claim for pension—

(a) where the forfeiture is in reliance on any enactment relating to the limitation of actions, or

(b) where the claim is not made within six years of the date on which the pension becomes due.

(6) Paragraph (1) does not prevent forfeiture in prescribed circumstances.

(7) In this Article and Article 91, references to forfeiture include any manner of deprivation or suspension.

F1 1999 NI 11

F2 1999 NI 11

F3 SR 2005/434

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Art. 90(1) modified (6.4.2016) by The Occupational Pension Schemes (Schemes that were Contracted-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/107), regs. 1(a), 10