Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Bulk transfer arrangements

Bulk transfers (transfers of undertakings) etc.

122.—(1) This paragraph applies where –

(a) two or more members' active membership ends on their joining an approved non-local government scheme (“the new scheme”);

(b) it is agreed by –

(i) the Committee,

(ii) the members' employing authorities (if different), and

(iii) the trustees or managers of the new scheme,

that a payment should be made under this regulation; and

(c) the members agree in writing that that payment should be made instead of any payment which they otherwise might require to be made under Chapter IV of Part IV of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 and waive any rights they might have under that Chapter by virtue of the cessation of their active membership.

(2) The Committee must not give its agreement under paragraph (1)(b) unless it is satisfied that the rights each of the members will acquire under the new scheme are at least equivalent to those which he would have obtained if a transfer value had been paid to the same scheme under Chapter IV of Part IV of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993, as it applies by virtue of regulation 119, (assuming in any case where the member would not be entitled to such a payment that he was).

(3) The Committee must provide each member with sufficient information in writing to check that the requirement of paragraph (2) is satisfied before he agrees as mentioned in paragraph (1)(c).

(4) Where paragraph (1) applies, the Committee must –

(a) set aside (whether in cash or in assets or both) such part of the fund (“the transfer payment”) as an actuary appointed by it and an actuary appointed by the scheme managers of the new scheme for the purpose may agree as appropriate for the acquisition of such rights in that scheme as they may so agree; and

(b) pay or transfer it to the trustees or managers of the new scheme for the benefit of the relevant members.

(5) The Committee must certify to the new scheme’s trustees or managers the amount included in the transfer payment which represents each member’s contributions.

(6) Where a transfer payment is to be or has been made under this regulation, no other payment or transfer of assets shall be made from the fund by reason of membership covered by the transfer payment.

(7) Paragraph (6) overrides anything to the contrary in the former Regulations or these Regulations.

Calculation of amount of transfer payment under regulation 122

123.—(1) The amount of the transfer payment to be paid under regulation 122 is the amount determined by an actuary appointed by the Committee to be equal to the value at the date the members join the new scheme of the actual and potential liabilities payable from the fund which have then accrued in respect of the members and the persons who are or may become entitled to benefits under the Scheme through them.

(2) The actuary may make such adjustments as he thinks fit in calculating that amount and, in particular, as respects the period from that date to the date of actual payment of the transfer value.

(3) He must specify in his valuation the actuarial assumptions he has used in making it.

(4) The employing authority shall bear the costs of determining the appropriate part of the fund and apportioning the fund.

(5) But if there is more than one employing authority involved, each shall bear such part of the costs as the actuary determines to be appropriate.