Local Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

Early payment of pension: ill-health

31.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if a member who has left his employment before he is entitled to the immediate payment of retirement benefits (apart from this regulation) becomes permanently incapable of discharging efficiently the duties of that employment because of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body he may make a written request to the Committee to receive payment of the retirement benefits immediately, whatever his age.

(2) Before determining whether to agree to a request under paragraph (1), the Committee must obtain a certificate from the independent registered medical practitioner, appointed under regulation 20(4), as to whether in his opinion the member is permanently incapable of discharging efficiently the duties of the relevant employment because of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body and, if so, whether that condition is likely to prevent the member from obtaining gainful employment (whether in local government or otherwise) before reaching his normal retirement age.

(3) In this regulation, “gainful employment” and “permanently incapable” have the same meaning as in regulation 20 (early leavers: ill-health).