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

Entitlement to ill-health pension

89.—(1) An active member (M) is entitled to immediate payment of—

(a) an ill-health pension at Tier 1 (a Tier 1 IHP) if the Tier 1 conditions are satisfied in relation to M;

(b) an ill-health pension at Tier 2 (a Tier 2 IHP) if the Tier 2 conditions are satisfied in relation to M.

(2) The Tier 1 conditions are that—

(a) M has not attained normal pension age;

(b) M has ceased to be employed in HSC employment;

(c) the scheme manager is satisfied that M suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which M is permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of M’s employment;

(d) M’s employment is terminated because of the physical or mental infirmity; and

(e) M claims payment of the pension.

(3) The Tier 2 conditions are that—

(a) the Tier 1 conditions are satisfied in relation to M; and

(b) the scheme manager is also satisfied that M suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which M is permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration.

(4) M is not entitled to payment of a pension under this regulation if M’s HSC employment is terminated because—

(a) M is dismissed (unless the scheme manager is satisfied that the dismissal was because of M’s infirmity);

(b) M retires or resigns at a time when—

(i) M is subject to disciplinary proceedings; or

(ii) had been notified that such proceedings were being contemplated; or

(c) M otherwise retires or resigns, unless—

(i) at the time of doing so M’s employing authority has notified the scheme manager in writing that M’s physical or mental infirmity is the reason for the termination; and

(ii) the scheme manager is satisfied that is the case.

(5) In paragraph (3)(b), “regular employment of like duration” means—

(a) in the case of a practitioner or a non-GP provider, such employment as the scheme manager thinks would involve a similar level of engagement to M’s current pensionable service as a practitioner or non-GP provider;

(b) in any other case, where prior to ceasing HSC employment, M was employed—

(i) on a whole-time basis, regular employment on a whole time basis;

(ii) on a part-time basis, regular employment on a part-time basis, regard being had to the number of hours, half days and sessions M worked in the employment.

(6) A pension under this regulation is payable for life: but see regulations 94 and 95.