Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

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

15.  After regulation 14 (election to pay additional regular contributions (ARCs), insert—

“Election to pay additional contributions: survivor benefits

14A.— (1) An active member may elect to pay additional contributions in respect of any period of membership occurring prior to 5th April 1988, in order to be credited with additional survivor benefits in respect of a surviving nominated cohabiting partner (within the meaning of regulation 25).

(2) An election to pay additional survivor benefits contributions (“ASBCs”) under paragraph (1), must be made within 12 months of the date of a nomination made under regulation 25 or such longer period as the Committee may allow.

(3) ASBCs may be paid—

(a) in respect of the whole of any period of membership occurring before 6th April 1988 (whether or not that period constitutes a period of complete years of membership); or

(b) in respect of complete years of membership only.

(4) The amount of ASBCs to be paid under paragraph (1) shall be calculated in accordance with actuarial guidance published by the Government Actuary.

(5) If an active member elects to pay ASBCs under paragraph (1), a surviving nominated cohabiting partner’s entitlement to a pension by virtue of regulation 24, 33 or 36 as the case may be, will be based on the period of membership occurring after 5th April 1988 plus, subject to regulation 20B (discontinuance of ASBCs) of the Administration Regulations, any period of membership occurring before that date in respect of which the active member chooses to pay ASBCs.”.