Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland
Pensions
Made
14th March 2012
Coming into operation in accordance with regulation 1
Approved by resolution of the Assembly on
11th September 2012
The Department for Social Development makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 13(5) and (6) of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 M1.
Marginal Citations
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Pensions (2008 Act) (Abolition of Contracting-out for Defined Contribution Pension Schemes) (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and shall come into operation—
(a)for the purposes of this Part and Part 2, on 6th April 2012;
(b)for the purposes of Part 3, on 6th April 2013, and
(c)for the purposes of Part 4, on 6th April 2015.
2.—(1) The Administration Act is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In section 132(3A) M2 (annual up-rating of benefits) after “Where a member of” insert “ a scheme which was at a time before the abolition date (as defined in section 176(1) M3 of the Pensions Act M4) ”.
(3) In section 167(1) (interpretation)—
(a)for the definition of “money purchase contracted-out scheme”M5 substitute—
““money purchase contracted-out scheme” is to be construed in accordance with section 176A M6 of the Pensions Act;”;
(b)in the definition of “personal pension scheme”M7 for “section 3” substitute “ section 176A(6) ”.
Marginal Citations
M2Section 132(3A) was inserted by paragraph 41(b) of Schedule 7 to the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 (c. 49)
M3The definition of “abolition date” is inserted by paragraph 34(2)(a) of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
M4The definition of “the Pensions Act” was inserted by paragraph 42(c) of Schedule 7 to the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993
M5The definition of “money purchase contracted-out scheme” was inserted by paragraph 42(a) of Schedule 7 to the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993
M6Section 176A is inserted by paragraph 35 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
M7The definition of “personal pension scheme” was amended by paragraph 42(d) of Schedule 7 to the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993
3.—(1) The Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 M8 is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In section 20 (quality requirement: UK money purchase schemes) omit subsection (2).
(3) In section 26 (quality requirement: UK personal pension schemes) omit subsection (8).
Marginal Citations
4.—(1) The Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 M9 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (7).
(2) In regulation 1(2) (interpretation) omit the definition of “contracted-out employment”M10.
(3) In regulation 3 (constitution of scheme) for paragraph (4) M11 substitute—
“(4) The categories of persons mentioned in paragraphs (1) to (3) M12 are—
(a)members of the scheme; and
(b)beneficiaries under the scheme.”.
(4) In regulation 4 (basic information about the scheme) for paragraph (3) M13 substitute—
“(3) The information specified in Schedule 1 shall be given to—
(a)members of the scheme; and
(b)beneficiaries under the scheme,
on request (not being a request made by a person within 3 years of the last occasion on which the same person was furnished with the information in accordance with paragraph (2) or this paragraph) as soon as practicable after that person requests it.”.
(5) In regulation 5 (information to be made available to individuals)—
(a)omit paragraphs (6) and (7) M14;
(b)in paragraph (8) M15—
(i)omit “the scheme is not an appropriate scheme and”;
(ii)for “wind it up” substitute “ wind up the scheme ”;
(c)for paragraph (9) M16 substitute—
“(9) Subject to paragraph (9A), where a scheme ceases to be an appropriate scheme M17 by virtue of section 13(1) of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (abolition of contracting-out for defined contribution pension schemes), the trustees shall—
(a)inform each member in relation to whom the scheme has ceased to be such a scheme (“the affected member”), except an excluded person M18, that the scheme has ceased to be an appropriate scheme, as soon as practicable and in any event not more than one month after the abolition date;
(b)furnish the affected member, except an excluded person, as soon as practicable and in any event not more than 4 months after the abolition date, with the information mentioned in paragraph 9 of Schedule 2; and
(c)where the scheme is unable to meet in full its liabilities to its members, furnish the affected member, except an excluded person, as soon as practicable and in any event not more than 4 months after the abolition date, with the information mentioned in paragraph 8 of Schedule 2.
(9A) Paragraph (9) does not apply where the trustees have informed the affected member of the abolition date and have furnished the affected member with the information specified in paragraph (9)(b) and, if applicable, paragraph (9)(c), within the period of 12 months ending with the abolition date.”.
(6) In Schedule 1 (basic information about the scheme)—
(a)omit paragraph 5 M19;
(b)in paragraph 6 for “(if the scheme is an appropriate scheme)” substitute “ (if the scheme was an appropriate scheme) ”.
(7) In Schedule 2 (information to be made available to individuals)—
(a)in paragraph 1 M20 for “for the whole or any part of that period” substitute “ at any time before the abolition date ”;
(b)in paragraph 2A M21—
(i)in sub-paragraph (3)(b) M22—
(aa)at the end of sub-head (i) add “ and ”;
(bb)in sub-head (ii) for “2004, and” substitute “ 2004. ”;
(cc)omit sub-head (iii);
(ii)in sub-paragraph (7)(d) M23 for “sub-paragraphs (3)(b)(iii) and (4)” substitute “ sub-paragraph (4) ”;
(c)in paragraph 9—
(i)the provisions of the paragraph shall become sub-paragraph (1) of the paragraph;
(ii)after sub-paragraph (1) add—
“(2) A statement that, as a result of no longer being a member of a contracted-out scheme, the member may build up entitlement to an additional state pension from the date the scheme ceased to be an appropriate scheme.”.
Marginal Citations
M9S.R. 1987 No. 288; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 1988 No. 107, S.R. 1992 No. 304, S.R. 1994 No. 300, S.R. 1997 No. 160, S.R. 2002 No. 410, S.R. 2005 No. 536, S.I. 2006/744, S.R. 2007 No. 185 and S.R. 2010 No. 373
M10The definition of “contracted-out employment” was inserted by regulation 2(2)(a) of S.R. 2002 No. 410
M11Paragraph (4) was amended by paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 2 to S.R. 2005 No. 536
M12Paragraph (2) was substituted by regulation 2(3) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
M13Paragraph (3) was amended by paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 2 to S.R. 2005 No. 536
M14Paragraphs (6) and (7) were amended by paragraph 13(3) of Schedule 2 to S.R. 1994 No. 300
M15Paragraph (8) was amended by regulation 20(c) of S.R. 1992 No. 304
M16Paragraph (9) was amended by regulation 20(c) of S.R. 1992 No. 304 and paragraph 1(3) of the Schedule to S.R. 1997 No. 160
M17See paragraph 34(2)(b) of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
M18The definition of “excluded person” was inserted by regulation 18(a) of S.R. 1992 No. 304
M19Paragraph 5 was amended by paragraph 1(4) of the Schedule to S.R. 1997 No. 160
M20Paragraph 1 was amended by regulation 6(e) of S.R. 1988 No. 107, regulation 23 of S.R. 1992 No. 304, paragraph 13(5) of Schedule 2 to S.R. 1994 No. 300, Article 23(4)(a) of S.I. 2006/744 and regulation 2(a) of S.R. 2007 No. 185
M21Paragraph 2A was inserted by regulation 2(4) of S.R. 2002 No. 410
M22Sub-paragraph (3) was amended by Article 23(4)(b) of S.I. 2006/744
M23Sub-paragraph (7) was added by regulation 2(7)(b) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
5. In regulation 11A(2) of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Preservation of Benefit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 M24 (further alternative to short service benefit – transfer to an overseas arrangement)—
(a)at the end of sub-paragraph (a) add “ and ”;
(b)omit sub-paragraph (b).
Marginal Citations
M24S.R. 1991 No. 37; regulation 11A was inserted by regulation 2(6) of S.R. 1996 No. 620
6.—(1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 M25 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (18).
(2) In regulation 1(2) (interpretation) in the definition of “overseas scheme”M26 omit “or (3)”.
(3) In regulation 3(2)(g)(i) M27 (notices by employers of intended election) omit “whether the employment would be contracted out by reference to a salary related or money purchase contracted-out scheme and”.
(4) In regulation 6 (information to be included in an election) omit paragraph (4).
(5) In regulation 9(3)(b) (making of elections by employers for the variation or surrender of contracting-out certificates) omit “in the case of a money purchase contracted-out scheme, the protected rights under, or in the case of any other scheme,”.
(6) In regulation 10(1)(a) (special provision with regard to elections for the issue, variation or surrender of certificates where the employment remains contracted out) omit “, or for protected rights, as the case may be,”.
(7) In regulation 16(1) M28 (requirement to confirm relevant requirements are satisfied) omit sub-paragraph (b).
(8) Omit regulation 30 (further contracting-out requirements for money purchase contracted-out schemes).
(9) In regulation 31(3)(a) M29 (deduction of minimum payments from earnings) after “section 38B of the Act” insert “ as it had effect immediately prior to the abolition date ”.
(10) In regulation 32(1) (minimum payments to be made by employers to trustees)—
(a)for “section 4(1) of the Act” substitute “ section 4(1A) M30 of the Act ”;
(b)for “employment is contracted out” substitute “ employment was contracted out ”.
(11) Omit regulation 39 M31 (circumstances in which schemes may change mode of contracting out).
(12) Omit regulation 40 M32 (schemes which may not be contracted out under section 5(3) of the Act).
(13) In regulation 42 M33 (alteration of rules of contracted-out schemes)—
(a)in paragraph (1) omit “, (2A)”;
(b)omit paragraph (2A);
(c)in paragraph (2B) for sub-paragraph (c) substitute—
“(c)otherwise prevent the scheme from satisfying section 5(2) M34 of the Act.”.
(14) In regulation 43 (termination of periods of contracted-out employment)—
(a)in paragraph (3)(a)(iii) omit the words from “or, as the case may be” to the end;
(b)in paragraph (5)(a) for “, section 5(2B) rights or protected rights” substitute “ or section 5(2B) rights M35 ”.
(15) In regulation 45(2) (approval of arrangements for schemes ceasing to be contracted out) omit “, section 24(2)(b) and (3) of the Act (transfer of protected rights)”.
(16) In regulation 48 (special provision for overseas schemes) omit paragraph (6).
(17) In regulation 49 (insolvent schemes)—
(a)in paragraph (3) omit sub-paragraph (a) M36;
(b)in paragraph (4) for sub-paragraph (a) M37 substitute—
“(a)in the case of a scheme to which Part IV of the 2005 Order M38 (scheme funding) applies, the cash equivalent of a member's rights under the scheme shall be determined as if the requirements of Article 201(1) of that Order (the statutory funding objective) were satisfied;”.
(18) In regulation 62(3) (fixed rate revaluation of guaranteed minimum pensions for early leavers)—
(a)omit “or section 24 (ways of giving effect to protected rights)”;
(b)for “those provisions” substitute “ that provision ”.
Marginal Citations
M25S.R. 1996 No. 493; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 1997 Nos. 160 and 162, S.R. 1999 No. 486, S.R. 2001 No. 118, S.R. 2002 No. 109, S.R. 2005 No. 568, S.I. 2005/3377, S.I. 2006/744, S.R. 2007 Nos. 185 and 457, S.I. 2008/1903 and S.R. 2009 No. 113
M26The definition of “overseas scheme” was substituted by regulation 4(2) of S.R. 2007 No. 185 and amended by regulation 6(b) of S.R. 2007 No. 457
M27Regulation 3(2)(g) was amended by regulation 2(2)(b) of S.R. 2002 No. 109
M28Regulation 16(1) was amended by regulation 2(5) of S.R. 2002 No. 109
M29Regulation 31(3) was amended by regulation 2(11)(b) of S.R. 2002 No. 109
M30Section 4(1A) is inserted by paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
M31Regulation 39 was amended by regulation 3(2) of S.R. 1997 No. 162 and Article 3(4) of S.R. 2009 No. 113
M32Regulation 40 was amended by regulation 3 of S.R. 2001 No. 118 and Article 28(8) of S.I. 2006/744
M33Regulation 42 was amended by paragraph 5(8) of the Schedule to S.R. 1997 No. 160
M34Section 5(2) was substituted by Article 133(3) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22))
M35The definition of “section 5(2B) rights” was substituted by paragraph 5(2) of the Schedule to S.R. 1997 No. 160 and amended by regulation 4(2)(b) of S.R. 1999 No. 486
M36Sub-paragraph (a) was amended by regulation 22(a) of S.I. 2008/1903
M37Sub-paragraph (a) was amended by paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 3 to S.I. 2005/3377
M38The definition of “the 2005 Order” was inserted by paragraph 1(2)(a) of Schedule 3 to S.R. 2005 No. 568
7.—(1) The Contracting-out (Transfer and Transfer Payment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 M39 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In regulation 1(2) (interpretation)—
(a)omit the definitions of “appropriate personal pension scheme” and “money purchase contracted-out scheme”;
(b)in the definition of “overseas arrangement”—
(i)in paragraph (a) for “earners;” substitute “ earners, and ”;
(ii)omit paragraph (b).
(3) For regulation 5 (transfer payments in respect of guaranteed minimum pensions to money purchase contracted-out schemes and appropriate personal pension schemes) substitute—
5. A transfer payment in respect of a guaranteed minimum pension may be made to a scheme which is not a salary related contracted-out scheme, an overseas scheme M40 or an overseas arrangement if—
(a)the earner consents in writing;
(b)the transfer payment (whether or not it forms part of a larger payment in respect of both guaranteed minimum pensions and other rights) is of an amount at least equal to the cash equivalent of the earner's accrued rights to guaranteed minimum pensions, as calculated and verified in a manner consistent with regulations made under section 93 M41 (calculation of cash equivalents), and
(c)the earner has acknowledged in writing to the transferring scheme that the earner has received a statement from the receiving scheme showing the benefits to be awarded in respect of the transfer payment, and that the earner accepts that—
(i)the benefits to be provided by the receiving scheme may be in a different form and of a different amount to those which would have been payable by the transferring scheme, and
(ii)there is no statutory requirement on the receiving scheme to provide for survivors' benefits out of the transfer payment.”.
(4) For regulation 10 (transfer payments to money purchase contracted-out schemes and appropriate personal pension schemes in respect of section 5(2B) rights) substitute—
A transfer payment in respect of an earner's accrued section 5(2B) rights may be made to a scheme which is not a salary related contracted-out scheme, an overseas scheme or an overseas arrangement if—
(a)the earner consents in writing, and
(b)the earner has acknowledged in writing to the transferring scheme that the earner has received a statement from the receiving scheme showing the benefits to be awarded in respect of the transfer payment, and that the earner accepts that—
(i)the benefits to be provided by the receiving scheme may be in a different form and of a different amount to those which would have been payable by the transferring scheme, and
(ii)there is no statutory requirement on the receiving scheme to provide for survivors' benefits out of the transfer payment.”.
Marginal Citations
M39S.R. 1996 No. 618; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 1997 No. 160, S.R. 1999 No. 486 and S.R. 2007 Nos. 185 and 457
M40The definition of “overseas scheme” was substituted by regulation 6 of S.R. 2007 No. 185 and amended by regulation 8(b) of S.R. 2007 No. 457
M41Section 93 was amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and paragraph 5(1) of Schedule 5 to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4 (N.I.))
8.—(1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M42 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In regulation 5 (information to be made available to individuals)—
(a)for paragraph (7) substitute—
“(7) Subject to paragraph (7ZA), where a scheme ceases to be a money purchase contracted-out scheme by virtue of section 13(1) of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 M43, the trustees of the scheme shall inform each member in relation to whom the scheme has ceased to be such a scheme (“the affected member”), as soon as practicable, and in any event not more than one month after the abolition date, that the scheme is no longer a money purchase contracted-out scheme, and furnish the affected member, as soon as practicable and in any event not more than 4 months after the abolition date, with—
(a)the information mentioned in paragraph 8 of Schedule 2; and
(b)except where the scheme is able to meet in full its liabilities to the affected member, the information mentioned in paragraph 10 M44 of Schedule 2.
(7ZA) Paragraph (7) does not apply where the trustees of the scheme have informed the affected member of the date on which the scheme is to cease to be a money purchase contracted-out scheme and have furnished the information specified in paragraph (7)(a) and, if applicable, paragraph (7)(b), within the period of 12 months ending with the abolition date.”;
(b)omit paragraph (7A) M45.
(3) In paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 (basic information about the scheme) omit the words from “, and whether the scheme is contracted-out” to the end.
(4) In Schedule 2 (information to be made available to individuals)—
(a)in paragraph 5(1) for “for the whole or any part of the period” substitute “ at any time before the abolition date ”;
(b)in paragraph 6ZA M46—
(i)in sub-paragraph (3)(b)—
(aa)at the end of sub-head (i) add “ and ”;
(bb)at the end of sub-head (ii) omit “and”;
(cc)omit sub-head (iii);
(ii)in sub-paragraph (7)(d) M47 for “sub-paragraphs (3)(b)(iii) and (4)” substitute “ sub-paragraph (4) ”;
(c)in paragraph 8—
(i)the provisions of the paragraph shall become sub-paragraph (1) of the paragraph;
(ii)in sub-paragraph (1) omit “in relation to the member's employment”;
(iii)after sub-paragraph (1) add—
“(2) A statement that, as a result of no longer being a member of a contracted-out scheme, the member may build up entitlement to an additional state pension from the date the scheme ceased to be a money purchase contracted-out scheme.”;
(d)omit paragraph 8A M48.
Marginal Citations
M42S.R. 1997 No. 98; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 2000 No. 335, S.R. 2002 No. 410, S.R. 2009 No. 113 and S.R. 2010 No. 373
M44Paragraph 10 was amended by Article 5(c) of S.R. 2009 No. 113
M45Paragraph (7A) was inserted by regulation 5(3)(d) of S.R. 2000 No. 335
M46Paragraph 6ZA was inserted by regulation 3(4) of S.R. 2002 No. 410
M47Sub-paragraph (7) was added by regulation 3(8)(b)(iv) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
M48Paragraph 8A was inserted by regulation 5(4)(c) of S.R. 2000 No. 335
9.—(1) The Personal Pension Schemes (Appropriate Schemes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M49 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 1(2) (interpretation) omit the definition of “administrators”.
(3) The following regulations are omitted—
(a)regulation 2 M50 (schemes which may be appropriate schemes);
(b)regulation 4 M51 (requirements in respect of an application for an appropriate scheme certificate);
(c)regulation 5 (issue of appropriate scheme certificates);
(d)regulation 6 M52 (requirement to furnish information);
(e)regulation 6A M53 (provision of information for purposes of contracting-out);
(f)regulation 7 (cancellation, variation and surrender of an appropriate scheme certificate);
(g)regulation 8 M54 (applications for the variation of, and to surrender, appropriate scheme certificates);
(h)regulation 9 (cancellation of an appropriate scheme certificate);
(i)regulation 10 (notice under section 40(1));
(j)regulation 11 (notice under section 40(2));
(k)regulation 14 (allocation of minimum contributions).
Marginal Citations
M49S.R. 1997 No. 139; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 2002 No. 109, S.R. 2005 No. 433, S.R. 2008 No. 364 and S.R. 2009 No. 113
M50Regulation 2 was substituted by regulation 3(3) of S.R. 2008 No. 364
M51Regulation 4 was amended by regulation 3(5) of S.R. 2008 No. 364
M52Regulation 6 was amended by regulation 3(6) of S.R. 2008 No. 364
M53Regulation 6A was inserted by regulation 7 of S.R. 2002 No. 109 and amended by paragraph 37 of Schedule 2 to S.R. 2005 No. 433
M54Regulation 8 was amended by Article 6(3) of S.R. 2009 No. 113
10. In regulation 2 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Contracting-out etc: Review of Determinations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M55 (application of regulations) omit “or appropriate scheme certificates”.
Marginal Citations
M55S.R. 1997 No. 140
11. In regulation 2(1)(b) of the Pension Sharing (Valuation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 M56 (rights under a pension arrangement which are not shareable)—
(a)in head (ii) for “annuity;” substitute “ annuity, or ”;
(b)omit head (iii).
Marginal Citations
M56S.R. 2000 No. 144; regulation 2(1) was amended by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to S.R. 2005 No. 536 and Article 36(3) of S.I. 2006/744
12. In regulation 1(2) of the Pension Sharing (Pension Credit Benefit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 M57 (interpretation) omit the definitions of “appropriate scheme” and “money purchase contracted-out scheme”.
Marginal Citations
M57S.R. 2000 No. 146 to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations
13.—(1) The Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 M58 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In regulation 1(3) (interpretation) omit the definition of “contracted-out employment”M59.
(3) In regulation 18B(2)(b) M60 (disclosure of information to members)—
(a)in head (i) for “behalf;” substitute “ behalf, and ”;
(b)in head (ii) for “schemes), and” substitute “ schemes). ”;
(c)omit head (iii).
(4) In paragraph 6(d) of Schedule 3 M61 (information for members) for “regulation 18B(2)(b)(iii) and (3)” substitute “ regulation 18B(3) ”.
Marginal Citations
M58S.R. 2000 No. 262; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 2002 No. 410 and S.R. 2010 No. 373
M59The definition of “contracted-out employment” was inserted by regulation 4(2)(a) of S.R. 2002 No. 410
M60Regulations 18 to 18E were substituted for regulation 18 by regulation 4(6) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
M61Schedule 3 was added by regulation 4(7) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
14. The following provisions are revoked—
(a)the Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 M62;
(b)regulations 2, 4 to 6, 8, 10 to 15 and 17 of the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Protected Rights) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M63;
(c)the Occupational Pension Schemes (Age-related Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M64.
Marginal Citations
M62S.R. 1996 No. 509 as amended by S.R. 1997 Nos. 95 and 160, S.R. 1999 No. 486, S.R. 2000 No. 262, S.R. 2002 No. 109, S.R. 2005 Nos. 85, 433 and 467, S.R. 2007 Nos. 185 and 457 and S.R. 2011 No. 89
M63S.R. 1997 No. 56; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 2002 No. 109, S.R. 2003 No. 256, S.R. 2005 Nos. 170, 433 and 507, S.I. 2006/744 and 745, S.R. 2007 No. 185, S.I. 2007/829, S.R. 2008 No. 370 and S.R. 2009 No. 365
M64S.R. 1997 No. 167 as amended by S.R. 1997 No. 544 and S.R. 2009 No. 115
15.—(1) The Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 M65 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 5 (information to be made available to individuals) omit paragraphs (9) and (9A) M66.
(3) In paragraph 9 M67 of Schedule 2 (information to be made available to individuals) omit sub-paragraphs (1) and (2).
Marginal Citations
M65S.R. 1987 No. 288; relevant amending provisions are these Regulations
M66Paragraphs (9) and (9A) are substituted for paragraph (9) by regulation 4(5)(c) of these Regulations
M67Paragraph 9 is amended by regulation 4(7)(c) of these Regulations
16.—(1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M68 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 5 (information to be made available to individuals) omit paragraphs (7) and (7ZA) M69.
(3) In paragraph 8 M70 of Schedule 2 (information to be made available to individuals) omit sub-paragraphs (1) and (2).
Marginal Citations
M68S.R. 1997 No. 98; relevant amending provisions are these Regulations
M69Paragraphs (7) and (7ZA) are substituted for paragraph (7) by regulation 8(2)(a) of these Regulations
M70Paragraph 8 is amended by regulation 8(4)(c) of these Regulations
17.—(1) The Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 M71 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In regulation 5(2)(a) M72 (information to be made available to individuals) for “paragraphs 1, 2 and 12” substitute “ paragraphs 1 and 2 ”.
(3) For paragraph 6 M73 of Schedule 1 (basic information about the scheme) substitute—
“6. How contributions by members and their employers are paid to the scheme.”.
(4) In Schedule 2 (information to be made available to individuals)—
(a)in paragraph 1 M74 omit the words from “, and, where the scheme was at any time before the abolition date” to the end;
(b)omit paragraph 12 M75.
Marginal Citations
M71S.R. 1987 No. 288; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 1988 No. 107, S.R. 1992 No. 304, S.R. 1994 No. 300, S.R. 1996 No. 508, S.I. 2006/744, S.R. 2007 No. 185, S.R. 2010 No. 373 and these Regulations
M72Paragraphs (2) and (2ZA) were substituted for paragraph (2) by regulation 2(4)(a) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
M73Paragraph 6 is amended by regulation 4(6)(b) of these Regulations
M74Paragraph 1 was amended by regulation 6(e) of S.R. 1988 No. 107, regulation 23 of S.R. 1992 No. 304, paragraph 13(5) of Schedule 2 to S.R. 1994 No. 300, Article 23(4)(a) of S.I. 2006/744 and regulation 2(a) of S.R. 2007 No. 185 and is amended by regulation 4(7)(a) of these Regulations
M75Paragraph 12 was added by regulation 2 of S.R. 1996 No. 508
18.—(1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 M76 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) Omit regulation 31 M77 (deduction of minimum payments from earnings).
(3) Omit regulation 32 M78 (minimum payments to be made by employers to trustees).
(4) Omit regulation 33 (calculation of minimum payments).
Marginal Citations
M76S.R. 1996 No. 493; relevant amending provisions are S.R. 2002 No. 109, S.I. 2007/1154 and these Regulations
M77Regulation 31 was amended by regulation 2(11) of S.R. 2002 No. 109 and regulation 8(3) of S.I. 2007/1154 and is amended by regulation 6(9) of these Regulations
M78Regulation 32 was amended by regulation 8(4) of S.I. 2007/1154 and is amended by regulation 6(10) of these Regulations
19. In paragraph 5(1) of Schedule 2 to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 M79 (information to be made available to individuals) omit the words from “and, where the scheme was at any time before the abolition date” to the end.
Marginal Citations
M79S.R. 1997 No. 98; paragraph 5(1) is amended by regulation 8(4)(a) of these Regulations
20.—(1) The Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 M80 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In regulation 1(3) (interpretation) omit the definitions of “minimum contributions” and “minimum payments”.
(3) In regulation 17(2) (restrictions on contributions) omit the words from “, minimum contributions” to the end.
(4) In paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 M81 (information for members) omit sub-paragraphs (e), (f) and (g).
Marginal Citations
M80S.R. 2000 No. 262; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 2010 No. 373
M81Schedule 3 was added by regulation 4(7) of S.R. 2010 No. 373
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on 14th March 2012
L.S.
Anne McCleary
A senior officer of the
Department for Social Development
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend certain provisions in primary and subordinate legislation in consequence of section 13 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 which abolishes contracting-out of the state additional pension for pension schemes on a defined contribution basis. Section 13(1) provides that contracting-out certificates in relation to money purchase contracted-out schemes and appropriate schemes (as defined by section 176(1) of the Pension Schemes Act (Northern Ireland) 1993 (c. 49)) cease to have effect from the abolition date (the date of the coming into operation of section 13(1)). Section 13(1) comes into operation on 6th April 2012 by virtue of the Pensions (2008 Act) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012 No. 115(C. 11)).
The Regulations also provide for transitional provisions for the 3 years following abolition.
References to, and provisions which relate to, schemes which are contracted-out on a defined contribution basis are either omitted, or where appropriate, replaced with references to schemes which were contracted-out on that basis.
Regulations 4 and 8 provide for changes to the disclosure of information requirements that schemes must comply with in relation to their contracting-out status. The amendments made by those regulations provide that schemes must inform affected members that the scheme has ceased to be contracted-out and explain the effect of that change on members' entitlement to state additional pension from the abolition date, within one month and 4 months of the abolition date respectively, unless schemes have already provided such information in the 12 months preceding the abolition date. This requirement is for one year only and is subsequently omitted by regulations 15 and 16 from 6th April 2013.
Regulation 7 amends the Contracting-out (Transfer and Transfer Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 to provide that, from the abolition date, transfers will be able to be made from defined benefit contracted-out schemes to schemes which are not salary related (defined benefit) contracted-out schemes, overseas schemes or overseas arrangements, as long as certain safeguards are met.
A 3-year transitional period ending on 6th April 2015 is provided for in relation to statutory provisions which relate to the national insurance rebate due to schemes from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) as a result of contracting-out in previous years. Regulations 17 to 20 amend or omit various provisions which relate to the making of minimum payments and contributions to schemes by employers and HMRC.
Regulation 14 makes consequential revocations.
As these Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain, the requirement to consult under section 13(11) of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 does not apply by virtue of sub-section (12)(e) of that section.
An assessment of the cost to business of these Regulations is detailed in a Regulatory Impact Assessment, a copy of which has been laid in the Business Office and the Library of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Copies of that assessment are available from the Department for Social Development, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, Level 1, James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Gasworks Business Park, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JA or from the website: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/ssa/ssani-publications/ssani-pensions-publications.htm. A copy of the Assessment is also annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside this Statutory Rule on the website: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.