The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

Commencement of pensions

33.—(1) The first period for which any retirement pension which is payable immediately on a member leaving any employment is payable, begins with the day after the date on which the employment ends.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a deferred member, the first period for which payment begins is the member’s normal pension age unless that member gives written notice to the Committee to defer payment (but any such deferral shall not extend beyond the day before the member’s 75th birthday).

(3) Where a member elects under regulation 31(3), (5), (11) or (12) (retirement benefits) to have a pension paid from a date other than normal pension age, the first period for which retirement pension is payable begins on the date the member specifies in a written notice to the Committee.

(4) When, in a written notice to the Committee, a member elects under regulation 31(6) (retirement benefits, flexible retirement pensions) to receive immediate payment of all or part of that member’s benefits, if the member’s employing authority consents to the payment, the first period for which retirement pension is payable begins on the date of the reduction in hours or grade.

(5) A notice given under paragraph (3) shall be given not less than three months before the beginning of the period specified, and a notice given under paragraph (4) shall be given within three months of the reduction in hours or grade.

(6) A member may give a further notice under paragraph (3) altering the date specified in an earlier notice, but any such further notice shall be given not less than three months before the beginning of the period specified in the further notice.

(7) The Committee may agree to accept different time limits to those specified in paragraphs (5) and (6).

(8) Where a member is entitled to early payment of pension due to ill-health under regulation 36 (early payment of retirement pension on ill-health grounds: active members), the first period for which retirement pension is payable is the day after the date on which the member’s employment is terminated.

(9) Where a member is entitled to early payment of pension due to ill-health under regulation 37 (early payment of retirement pension on ill-health grounds: deferred members), the first period for which the retirement pension is payable begins on the date of the determination that the member is permanently incapable under that regulation.