The Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1991

Early retirement

4.  In section 7 of the 1972 Act after subsection (4A) there shall beinserted:

“(4B) Where on or after 2nd April 1991 a person who

(a) is a Member of the House of Commons and ceases to be a Member ofthat House;

(b) has attained the age of fifty years; and

(c) has been a Member of that House for a period of not less thanfifteen years, or for two or more periods amounting in the aggregate tonot less than fifteen years (hereinafter referred to in respect of aperson as his“qualifying period”), applies in writing to the trustees for an immediate pension underthis section, then, if the trustees are satisfied that he does notintend to stand for re-election to that House, he shall be entitled toreceive a pension under this section as if he had attained the age of 65years on the date of his application or, if later, such other date asmay be there specified; but the annual amount of the pension to which heis so entitled, both before and after he attains the age of 65 years,shall (subject to sections 11 and 31 of this Act) be an amountcalculated in accordance with Schedule 5 to this Act.

(4C) For the purposes of subsection (4B)(c) of this section service of aperson as a Member of the Parliament of the European Communities,whether rendered before or after 2nd April 1991, may count towards hisqualifying period to the extent that it is not concurrent with serviceas a Member of the House of Commons.”