15.—(1) This paragraph applies if sub-paragraph (2) or sub-paragraph (3) applies.
(2) This sub-paragraph applies if—
(a)P was an active member of an existing scheme other than the PCSPS(NI) or an existing public body pension scheme on the closing date for that scheme;
(b)P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
(c)P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under an existing public body pension scheme;
(d)P would have been a fully protected member of the existing public body pension scheme referred to in paragraph (c) had P re-entered service which is pensionable under that scheme on the date P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI); and
(e)P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) and P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st April 2022.
(3) This sub-paragraph applies if—
(a)P was an active member of an existing public body pension scheme on a date that the scheme closed to any further accrual by members of benefits under the scheme, whether under section 32 of the Act or otherwise;
(b)P was an active member of an existing scheme or an existing public body pension scheme (“P’s transitional scheme”) on 31st March 2012;
(c)P begins service which is pensionable under the PCSPS(NI) not more than 5 years after leaving pensionable service under the existing public body pension scheme referred to in paragraph (a); and
(d)P would, unless P dies, reach normal pension age under the PCSPS(NI) and P’s transitional scheme on or before 1st April 2022.
(4) For the purposes of this paragraph—
(a)the closing date for an existing scheme is the date referred to in section 18(4) of the Act, as applicable;
(b)the closing date for an existing public body pension scheme is the date determined under section 32(2) of the Act by the public authority responsible for that scheme;
(c)“exception”, in relation to an existing public body pension scheme, means an exception under section 32(4) of the Act provided for by the public authority responsible for that scheme; and
(d)“fully protected member” of an existing public body pension scheme means a person in respect of whom an exception applies, which exception is one to which section 18(7) of the Act, as applied by section 32(4), applies for the purposes of that scheme.