The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

CHAPTER 4 N.I. Allocation

Election to allocate pension N.I.

50.—(1) A member (M) may elect to allocate a part of the annual amount of M's pension for the provision of a pension after M's death for not more than one individual who is—

(a) M's spouse or civil partner; or

(b) a dependant of M (within the meaning of paragraph 15(2) or (3) of Schedule 28 to the 2004 Act) M1 .

(2) An election under this regulation may be made only—

(a) at the time M claims the pension under paragraph (4) of Schedule 3; and

(b) if M is not already entitled to payment of such a person.

(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not apply in the case of a pension under regulation 83.

(4) A pension provided as a result of the election must be calculated in accordance with tables prepared by the scheme actuary.

Marginal Citations

M1 Paragraph 15(3) of Schedule 28 has been amended by regulations 175 and 180(c) of S.I. 2005/3229

Amount of allocation N.I.

51.—(1) An election under regulation 50 may not allocate more than one-third of the member's (M) relevant annual pension.

(2) An election may not allocate an amount that would result in—

(a) the allocated annual pension exceeding M's unallocated relevant annual pension;

(b) the allocated annual pension exceeding such amount as the scheme manager determines for the purposes of this paragraph—

(i) after consultation with the scheme actuary; and

(ii) having regard to any restrictions imposed under Part 4 of the 2004 Act M2 ; or

(c) the value of the allocated annual pension being such that a lump sum could be paid under paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 by way of conversion of a pension of that amount if the person entitled to the pension is not entitled to any other benefits under the scheme.

(3) The annual pension allocated must be an exact number of pounds.

(4) A pension provided pursuant to the election must be calculated in accordance with tables prepared by the scheme actuary.

Marginal Citations

M2 Part 4 deals with tax provision for pension schemes

Procedure for election under regulation 50 N.I.

52.—(1) An election under regulation 50 in respect of a member's (M) pension must be made by notice in writing given to the scheme manager.

(2) The notice must be in such form and contain such information as the scheme manager requires.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), the election takes effect when it is accepted by the scheme manager.

(4) The election may not be withdrawn, amended or revoked after it has taken effect.

(5) The election does not take effect if—

(a) M or the person in whose favour the election is made (the beneficiary) dies on or before the day on which the scheme manager accepts it; or

(b) the scheme manager is not satisfied that, at the time the election is made, M is in good health.

(6) The election is treated as not having taken effect if the beneficiary dies before M is notified in writing that the scheme manager has accepted the election.

Effect of allocation N.I.

53.—(1) If an election by a member (M) under regulation 50 has taken effect—

(a) M's pension is reduced accordingly (even if the beneficiary predeceases M); and

(b) if the beneficiary survives M, on M's death the beneficiary becomes entitled to the payment of a pension for life of such amount as is determined in accordance with regulation 51.

(2) An allocation is disregarded if it would result in a pension being paid to a beneficiary who is neither—

(a) M's spouse or civil partner on the date when M becomes entitled to the pension or dies; nor

(b) at the time of M's death, a dependant of M (within the meaning of paragraph 15(2) or (3) of Schedule 28 to the 2004 Act M3 ).

(3) References in these Regulations to pensions under Part 5 do not include pensions under this regulation, except where context otherwise requires.

(4) A pension under this regulation is payable to the beneficiary in addition to a pension payable in respect of M's death under Part 6.

Marginal Citations

M3 Paragraph 15(3) of Schedule 28 has been amended by regulations 175 and 180(c) of S.I. 2005/3229