The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2011

Treatment of pensionable service of early leavers returning to pensionable employment

L1.—(1) This regulation applies to any member who leaves pensionable employment without becoming entitled to an immediate pension under regulation E1 to E11 (pensions for members) and later returns to pensionable employment before becoming entitled to receive a pension under this Section of the scheme.

(2) Subject to paragraph (5), if the member leaves pensionable employment with a preserved pension and then returns to pensionable employment within 12 months after leaving, the member will cease to be entitled to the preserved pension under regulation E12 and the member’s pensionable service before and after the break will be treated as continuous.

(3) Where the member leaves NHS employment with a preserved pension and then returns to pensionable employment 12 months or more after leaving—

(a) the member’s pensionable service before and after the break will be treated separately unless, when the member becomes entitled to receive a pension or the member dies (whichever occurs first), it would be more favourable to the member to treat the member’s pensionable service before and after the break and all other such breaks (if any) as continuous; in which case it will be treated as continuous; and

(b) where the member becomes entitled to receive a pension under regulation E2 (early retirement pension (ill health)) or E3 (ill health pension on early retirement), the pensionable service upon which that pension is based will be increased as described in paragraphs (5) to (7) of regulation E2 or (4) to (6) of regulation E3, whichever is applicable, if the member’s pensionable service before and after the break is treated as continuous; but where the member’s pensionable service before and after the break is treated separately the increase as described in paragraphs (5) to (7) of regulation E2 or (4) to (6) of regulation E3, whichever is applicable, will be the proportion that the service is to the total pensionable service in this Section of the scheme calculated as—

and the said proportioned increase will be added to the pensionable service after the break.

(4) Subject to regulation L2, if the member leaves pensionable employment without becoming entitled to a preserved pension and then returns to pensionable employment within 12 months after leaving, the member’s pensionable service before and after the break will be treated as continuous.

(5) Where paragraph (4) applies and the member has received a refund of contributions in respect of pensionable service before the break, the member’s pensionable service before and after the break will be treated as continuous provided that the member returns within 12 months, and, within 6 months after rejoining this Section of the scheme, the member pays to the Scottish Ministers an amount equal to the refund of contributions including any interest paid.