Section 37 and Schedule 2: Master trusts in operation on commencement: transitional provision
This section introduces Schedule 2, which includes provisions affecting Master Trusts that are in operation before section 3 comes into operation.
Schedule 2 introduces transitional modifications in respect of those schemes that were in existence before the commencement date. The commencement date is defined by reference to the commencement of section 3 (the prohibition on operating a Master Trust without authorisation). The intention is that this section will be commenced once all regulations under the authorisation provisions are in operation. The modifications in paragraphs 2 to 7 take effect from the day after the Act is passed, whilst those in paragraphs 8 to 15 take effect from the date on which section 3 (prohibition on operating a scheme unless authorised) comes into operation.
Paragraph 2 modifies section 20 to impose a duty to comply with notification requirements on trustees of an existing Master Trust if a triggering event occurs on or after 20 October 2016 but before the commencement date.
As for time periods for notifying the Pensions Regulator, where the trustees consider the triggering event was resolved before the date the Act is passed, the notification must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the date the Act is passed. Where the trustees consider the triggering event was resolved on or after the date on which the Act is passed but before the commencement date, or where the triggering event occurred before the commencement date but the trustees consider it was resolved after the commencement date, the notification must be given before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which the triggering event was in the opinion of the trustees resolved. Where a triggering event occurs after the commencement date, the period for notification will be set out in regulations.
Paragraph 6 modifies section 33 to apply the prohibition during a triggering event period under section 33 to a Master Trust scheme in relation to which a triggering event occurs on or after 20 October 2016 but before the commencement date. The prohibition is modified in the way it applies.
If a triggering event occurs on or after 20 October 2016 trustees must, before the end of the period of seven days beginning with the triggering event or the date on which the Act is passed (whichever is the later), provide the Pensions Regulator with a statement of the annual levels of administration charges that applied in relation to members of the scheme on 20 October 2016 according to each arrangement or fund within the scheme. Trustees must not then impose any administration charges on or in respect of members at levels above those.
Provision is also made so that trustees of a scheme receiving transfers of accrued rights from the Master Trust experiencing a triggering event must not impose administration charges on members above a level of charges in the receiving scheme as set out in a statement of annual charges on 20 October 2016.
Paragraph 7 creates a new section, section 33A, for Master Trusts in existence on 20 October 2016. Under this section the scheme funder of a Master Trust experiencing a triggering event, or moving to wind up, is liable for the costs of winding the scheme up if these costs do not fall elsewhere (taking into account the prohibition on increasing charges on members to pay for the costs of winding up).
Paragraph 8 modifies section 3 for schemes which are already operating when it comes into operation. The modifications are designed to allow a Master Trust to continue to operate until its application is received by the Pensions Regulator, or the Regulator determines that the scheme should not be authorised.
Paragraph 8 also provides that the trustees of a Master Trust scheme must, within the six month application period, either apply for authorisation or decide to wind up the scheme. The Regulator may allow an extension to the six month period of up to six weeks if the trustees satisfy the Regulator that there is a good reason for requiring an extension. Extensions can only be granted during the initial six month application period.
Under paragraph 8, if the Pensions Regulator is aware of a Master Trust scheme operating after the application period (as extended where applicable) and it has not received an application for authorisation or a notification that the scheme is to be wound up then it must notify the trustees that the scheme is not authorised. This is a triggering event and the notification must explain the trustees’ duties (see sections 20 to 33).
Paragraph 8 also inserts a new section 3A which applies only to existing Master Trusts. It allows the Pensions Regulator to issue a pause order to a Master Trust scheme which has submitted an application for authorisation under section 4, provided the decision on that application has not yet become final under section 35.
Subsections (3) and (4) mean that a pause order made under this section is to be treated as though it is made under section 31, except that the provision which ensures that a pause order ceases to have effect at the end of a triggering event period does not apply (as under this specified circumstance, the pause order is not made within the triggering event period).
To issue a pause order under section 3A, the Regulator must be satisfied that there is, or is likely to be if a pause order is not made, an immediate risk to the interests of members under the scheme or the assets of the scheme, and that it is necessary to make a pause order to protect the interests of the generality of members of the scheme.
Paragraph 9 modifies section 5 so that where a decision is made not to authorise a Master Trust that is operating before the commencement date, the notice includes an explanation that it is a triggering event for the purposes of sections 20 to 33A (added subsection (7)). A decision to authorise or not authorise an existing Master Trust scheme which has submitted an application for authorisation must be taken by the Pensions Regulator’s Determinations Panel (added subsection (8)).
Paragraphs 10 to 15 make amendments to sections 21, 23, 26, 28, 34 and 35 in relation to Master Trusts in operation at commencement. The effect of these amendments is to:
replace references to authorisation being withdrawn with references to authorisation being refused to reflect that existing Master Trusts will not have been authorised previously; and
add a triggering event (item 2A) to the table of triggering events in relation to existing Master Trust schemes (paragraph 10(c)).
