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The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 10(5)(a) and (7)(a), 69(2), 206(4)(a), 207(2), 307(1)(b) and (2)(b), 315(2), (4) and (5) and 318(1) and (4)(a) of, and paragraph 23 of Schedule 7 to, the Pensions Act 2004[1], and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, by this instrument, which contains regulations made before the end of the period of six months beginning with the coming into force of the provisions of that Act by virtue of which the regulations are made[2], makes the following Regulations: Citation, commencement and interpretation 1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Occupational Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 and, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (2) to (4), shall come into force on 19th August 2005. (2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 10 (amendment of the Multi-employer Regulations), and this paragraph in so far as it applies those paragraphs of that regulation, shall come into force on 1st August 2005. (3) Paragraphs (1) to (6) of regulation 9 (amendment of the Compensation Regulations) shall come into force on 5th December 2005. (4) Paragraph (7) of regulation 9 shall come into force—
(b) in respect of any other person, on 6th April 2006;
(5) In these Regulations—
Amendment of section 10 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Act
(hb) section 60(7) of that Act (power of the Regulator in prescribed circumstances to extend or further extend the period applicable under section 60(3) of that Act in relation to securing an increase in value);".
(2) After paragraph 15 of Schedule 2 to the Act[10] (the reserved regulatory functions), insert—
15B. The power under section 60(7) to extend or further extend the period applicable under section 60(3) of that Act in relation to securing an increase in the value of the assets of an occupational pension scheme.".
(3) Paragraphs (ha) and (hb) of section 10(6) of, and paragraphs 15A and 15B of Schedule 2 to, the Act (as inserted by paragraphs (1) and (2)) shall only have effect in the case of applications made by virtue of sections 58(7) and 60(7) of the Pensions Act 1995[11] on or after the date on which these Regulations come into force for the exercise of the power to extend or further extend under section 58(7) or 60(7) of that Act.
Insertion of the definition of "assessment date"
(2) The specified provisions are—
(b) paragraph (3) of regulation 1 of the Entry Rules Regulations (citation, interpretation and commencement); (c) paragraph (2) of regulation 1[13] of the Multi-employer Regulations (citation, commencement and interpretation); (d) paragraph (1) of regulation 2 of the Provision of Information Regulations (interpretation); (e) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Review and Reconsideration Regulations (citation, commencement and interpretation); and (f) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Valuation Regulations (commencement, citation and interpretation).
Amendment of the definition of "employer" of an occupational pension scheme that has no active members
(b) a single-employer section of a segregated scheme,
which has no active members, includes the person who was the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates immediately before the time at which the scheme or section ceased to have any active members in relation to it;".
(2) The specified provisions are—
(b) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Review and Reconsideration Regulations; and (c) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Valuation Regulations.
(3) For paragraph (4) of regulation 1 of the Entry Rules Regulations, substitute—
(b) a single-employer section of a segregated scheme,
which has no active members, includes the person who was the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates immediately before the time at which the scheme or section ceased to have any active members in relation to it.".
(4) For paragraph (2) of regulation 2 of the Provision of Information Regulations, substitute—
(b) a single-employer section of a segregated scheme,
which has no active members, includes the person who was the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates immediately before the time at which the scheme or section ceased to have any active members in relation to it.".
Amendment of the definition of "employer" in relation to a multi-employer scheme or a section of a multi-employer scheme
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full before the assessment date;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but before the assessment date it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(b) in any other case, includes any person who has ceased to be the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates unless condition A, B, C or D is satisfied where—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(2) The specified provisions are—
(b) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Review and Reconsideration Regulations.
(3) For paragraph (5) of regulation 1 of the Entry Rules Regulations, substitute—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full before the assessment date;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but before the assessment date it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(b) in any other case, includes any person who has ceased to be the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates unless condition A, B, C or D is satisfied where—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(4) For paragraph (3) of regulation 2 of the Provision of Information Regulations, substitute—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full before the assessment date;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but before the assessment date it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(b) in any other case, includes any person who has ceased to be the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates unless condition A, B, C or D is satisfied where—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(5) For the second definition of "employer" in paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Valuation Regulations, substitute—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full before the assessment date;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but before the assessment date it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(b) in any other case, includes any person who has ceased to be the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates unless condition A, B, C or D is satisfied where—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
Insertion of definition of "non-segregated scheme"
(2) The specified provisions are—
(b) paragraph (1) of regulation 2 of the Provision of Information Regulations; (c) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Review and Reconsideration Regulations; and (d) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Valuation Regulations.
Insertion of the definition of "segregated scheme"
(b) a specified proportion of the assets of the scheme is attributable to each section of the scheme and cannot be used for the purposes of any other section;".
(2) The specified provisions are—
(b) paragraph (1) of regulation 2 of the Provision of Information Regulations; (c) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Review and Reconsideration Regulations; and (d) paragraph (2) of regulation 1 of the Valuation Regulations.
Amendment of the Compensation Regulations
(3) In regulation 3 (circumstances where a widow or widower is not entitled to periodic compensation), for "where there is no provision to pay a survivor's pension under the admissible rules of the scheme.", substitute—
(ii) ii)regulation 4(2)(a),
to pay a survivor's pension to a relevant partner; or
(4) In regulation 4 (compensation for surviving dependants)—
(b) after paragraph (2), insert—
(2B) Subject to paragraph (2C), in the case of a civil partner, the circumstances are—
(b) the surviving civil partner has provided the Board, or during the assessment period the trustees or managers of the eligible scheme, with a certified copy of the entry in the register relating to the civil partnership; and (c) the civil partnership was still in existence at the date of the member's death.
(2C) No compensation may be paid under paragraph (2B) where there is a valid nomination made by the member in accordance with either—
(b) regulation 4(2)(a),
to pay a survivor's pension to a relevant partner.".
(5) In regulation 5[16] (amount and duration of periodic compensation in the case of relevant partners), after "compensation is payable to a relevant partner", insert "or civil partner,".
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full before the assessment date;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but before the assessment date it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(b) in any other case, includes any person who before the assessment date has ceased to be the employer of persons in the description of employment to which the scheme or section relates unless condition A, B, C or D is satisfied where—
(ii) condition B is that—
(bb) a legally enforceable agreement has been entered into the effect of which is to reduce the amount which may be recovered in respect of the debt; and (cc) the reduced amount has been paid in full before the assessment date;
(iii) condition C is that such a debt became due but before the assessment date it is excluded from the value of the assets of the scheme or section because it is unlikely to be recovered without disproportionate costs or within a reasonable time;
(3) For Part 3 (segregated schemes: multi-employer sections without requirement for partial wind up on withdrawal of participating employer), substitute— Application and effect 14. —(1) This regulation applies to a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme the rules of which do not provide for the partial winding up of the section when an employer in relation to the section ceases to participate in the scheme. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Part, in the case of a section of a scheme to which this regulation applies—
(b) references in Part 2 of the Act, except in Chapter 4, to—
(ii) "the scheme" shall be read as if they were references to "the section"; (iii) "the employer" shall be read as if they were references to "an employer in relation to the section"; and (iv) "trustees or managers of the scheme" shall, in relation to a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme, be read as if they were references to "trustees or managers with ultimate responsibility for the administration of the section".
(3) Paragraph (2) shall not have effect in relation to section 174 of the Act (initial levy).
(2) Section 122 of the Act (insolvency practitioner's duty to issue notices confirming status of scheme) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(ii) in paragraph (a), after the words "a scheme rescue is not possible", there were inserted the words "in relation to the relevant section of the scheme"; and (iii) in paragraph (b), after the words "a scheme rescue has occurred", there were inserted the words "in relation to the relevant section of the scheme";
(c) in paragraph (a) of subsection (3), for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "an employer";
(ii) for the words "in relation to the scheme", there were substituted the words "in relation to the section";
(e) in subsection (5)—
(ii) in paragraph (b), for the words "in relation to such a scheme", there were substituted the words "in relation to such a section";
(f) in subsection (6), for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "an employer"; and
(3) Section 123 of the Act (approval of notices issued under section 122) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(4) Section 124 of the Act (Board's duty where there is a failure to comply with section 122) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(ii) in paragraphs (a) and (b), for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "an employer";
(b) in subsection (4)—
(ii) in paragraph (e), for the words "in relation to the employer, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer, that employer"; and
(c) after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
(5) Section 125 of the Act (binding notices confirming status of scheme) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, after subsection (3), there were inserted the following subsection—
Eligible schemes
(b) a scheme which is a prescribed scheme or a scheme of a prescribed description under section 126(1)(b) of the Act.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply for the purposes of sections 174 to 181 of the Act (the levies).
(ii) in relation to an employer in relation to that section of the scheme at a time when all other employers in relation to that section have either had—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the section under section 129(1A)[18] or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under section 129(5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under section 129(4)(a)[19],
(b) it occurs on or after the day appointed under section 126(2), and
(ii) does not occur within an assessment period (see section 132) in relation to the section which began before the occurrence of the current event.".
(2) Section 128 of the Act (duty to assume responsibility for schemes following application or notification) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, for subsection (1), there were substituted the following subsection—
(b) the Board receives a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(b) of that section."[20].
(3) Section 129 of the Act (applications and notifications for the purposes of section 128) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the section under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), or
(ii) ii)received a notice given by the Board under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a) in respect of an employer in relation to the section at a time when all other employers in relation to that section have either had—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the section under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), or
(b) are aware that a person is no longer an employer, or that persons are no longer employers, in relation to the section at a time when—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the section under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), and
(ii) at least one such insolvency event occurred, or at least one such notice was given under subsection (1A) or (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), on or after 6th April 2005 in relation to an employer in relation to that section,
they must, except where an assessment period has already begun in relation to that section of the scheme, make an application to the Board for it to assume responsibility for the section under section 128.";
(b) the prescribed requirements are met in relation to that employer,
they must give the Board a notice to that effect.
(b) the name of the employer in relation to the section of the scheme in respect of which the notice is given, (c) a statement by the trustees or managers of the section that the employer in respect of which the notice is given is unlikely to continue as a going concern and that the requirements prescribed under subsection (1A)(b) have been met in relation to that employer, (d) the date on which the trustees or managers of the section became aware that the employer in respect of which the notice is given is unlikely to continue as a going concern, and (e) the date on which the notice was sent to the Board by the trustees or managers of the scheme.
(1C) Where the trustees or managers of a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme which is, for the purposes of this Part, an eligible scheme make an application to the Board under subsection (1)(a) or (b), they must as soon as practicable notify that fact to all the employers in relation to that section of the scheme and to the trustees or managers of each section of the scheme (if different).";
(ii) meets the requirements prescribed under subsection (1A)(b), or
(b) is aware that a person is no longer an employer, or that persons are no longer employers, in relation to that section of the scheme at a time when—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the section under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), and
(ii) at least one such insolvency event occurred, or at least one such notice was given under subsection (1A) or (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), on or after 6th April 2005 in relation to an employer in relation to that section of the scheme,
(d) after subsection (5), there were inserted the following subsection—
Board's duty where application or notification received under section 129
(b) is notified by the Regulator under section 129(4)(b).";
(b) in subsection (2), after the words "a scheme rescue is not possible", there were inserted the words "in relation to a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme";
(ii) in paragraph (b), for the words "in relation to such a scheme", there were substituted the words "in relation to such a section"; and
(f) after subsection (7), there were inserted the following subsection—
Protected liabilities
(b) the liabilities of the scheme as a whole which are reasonably attributable to the section and which are not liabilities to, or in respect of, its members, and (c) the estimated cost of winding up the section.".
Assessment periods
(ii) for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "an employer in relation to that section"; and (iii) after the words "an assessment period", there were inserted the words "in relation to the section";
(b) in subsection (4), for the words "in relation to an eligible scheme, an application is made under section 129(1) or a notification is received under section 129(5)(a), an assessment period", there were substituted the words "in relation to a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme which is, for the purposes of this Part, an eligible scheme, an application is made under section 129(1)(a) or (b) or a notification is received under section 129(4)(b), an assessment period in relation to that section of the scheme"; and
Directions
(ii) for the words "in relation to the scheme", there were substituted the words "in relation to the segregated scheme in question"; and
(b) in paragraph (a)(i) of subsection (3), for the words "the trustees or managers" there were substituted the words "any trustees or managers".
Power to validate contraventions of section 135 and Board to act as creditor of the employer
(b) after subsection (2), there were inserted the following subsection—
(2) Section 137(2) of the Act (Board to act as creditor of the employer) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "an employer".
(b) in paragraph (b)(iii) of subsection (2), for the words "in relation to the employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, that employer"; and (c) after subsection (2), there were inserted the following subsection—
(3) Section 145 of the Act (binding valuations) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) in paragraph (c) of subsection (3), for the words "in relation to the employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, that employer"; and (c) after subsection (3), there were inserted the following subsection—
Refusal to assume responsibility for a scheme
(ii) in paragraph (b)(iii), for the words "in relation to the employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, that employer";
(c) after subsection (2), there were inserted the following subsection—
(e) after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
(2) Section 147 of the Act (new schemes created to replace existing schemes) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) an employer in relation to the new section was, at the date of establishment of that section, also the employer in relation to another scheme ("the old scheme") or another section of the scheme ("the old section") established before the new section, (c) a transfer or transfers of, or a transfer payment or transfer payments in respect of, any rights of members under the old scheme or the old section has or have been made to the new section, and (d) the main purpose or one of the main purposes of establishing the new section and making the transfer or transfers, or transfer payment or transfer payments, was to enable those members to receive compensation under the pension compensation provisions in respect of their rights under the new section in circumstances where, in the absence of the transfer or transfers, regulations under section 146 would have operated to prevent such payments in respect of their rights under the old scheme or the old section.";
(b) in paragraph (b)(iii) of subsection (2), for the words "in relation to the employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer or, if there is no such insolvency practitioner, that employer";
(e) after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
(3) Section 148 of the Act (withdrawal following issue of section 122(4) notice) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) after subsection (5), there were inserted the following subsection—
(d) after subsection (7), there were inserted the following subsection—
Reconsideration, closed schemes and requirement to wind up schemes with sufficient assets to meet protected liabilities
(2) Section 152 of the Act (duty to assume responsibility following reconsideration) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) the liabilities of the scheme as a whole at that time which are reasonably attributable to the section and which are not liabilities to, or in respect of, members of the scheme, and (c) the estimated cost of winding up the section at that time.";
(b) after subsection (3), there were inserted the following subsection—
(3) Section 153 of the Act (closed schemes) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) after subsection (6), there were inserted the following subsection—
(4) Section 154 of the Act (requirement to wind up schemes with sufficient assets to meet protected liabilities) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) in subsection (6), for the words "a scheme is wound up", there were substituted the words "a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme is wound up"; (c) in subsection (11), for the words "winding up of a scheme", there were substituted the words "winding up of a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme"; and (d) in subsection (12), for the words "in relation to a scheme", there were substituted the words "in relation to a multi-employer section of a segregated scheme".
(5) Section 155 of the Act (treatment of closed schemes) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, for subsection (1), there were substituted the following subsection—
(6) Section 157 of the Act (applications and notifications where closed schemes have insufficient assets) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
Transfer notice and assumption of responsibility for a scheme
(b) after subsection (2), there were inserted the following subsection—
(b) an insolvency practitioner acting in relation to every employer in relation to the section of the scheme in respect of which the transfer notice is given.".
(2) Section 161 of the Act (effect of Board assuming responsibility for a scheme) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) in paragraph (a) of subsection (4), after the words "to or in respect of persons", there were inserted the words "who are or were members of that section".
(3) Schedule 6 to the Act (transfer of property, rights and liabilities to the Board) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, in paragraph 1, for the words "an occupational pension scheme", there were substituted the words "a multi-employer section of a segregated multi-employer scheme".
(b) in paragraphs (a) and (b), after the word "members", there were added the words "of that section"; (c) in paragraph (c), after the word "payable", there were added the words "to or in respect of members of that section"; and (d) at the end of paragraph (d), there were added the words "payable to or in respect of members of that section".
(2) Section 163(2) of the Act (adjustments to be made where the Board assumes responsibility for a scheme) shall be modified in its application to a section of a scheme to which regulation 14 applies so that it shall be read as if, in paragraph (a), after the words "to any member", there were inserted the words "of that section".
(4) For Part 6 (non-segregated schemes: schemes without provision for partial wind up on withdrawal of a participating employer), substitute— Application and effect 61. This regulation applies to a multi-employer scheme which is not divided into two or more sections (a "non-segregated scheme") the rules of which do not provide for the partial winding up of the scheme when an employer in relation to the scheme ceases to participate in the scheme. Notification of insolvency events, confirmation of scheme status etc. 62. —(1) Section 120 of the Act (duty to notify insolvency events in respect of employers) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(2) Section 122 of the Act (insolvency practitioner's duty to issue notices confirming status of the scheme) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(c) after subsection (6), there were inserted the following subsection—
(3) Section 123 of the Act (approval of notices issued under section 122) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(d) after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
(4) Section 124 of the Act (Board's duty where there is a failure to comply with section 122) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(ii) in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1), for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "an employer";
(b) in subsection (4)—
(ii) in paragraph (e), for the words "in relation to the employer, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer, that employer"; and
(c) after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
(5) Section 125 of the Act (binding notices confirming status of scheme) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(ii) in paragraph (e), for the words "in relation to the employer, the employer", there were substituted the words "in relation to an employer, that employer"; and
(b) after subsection (3), there were inserted the following subsection—
Eligible schemes
(ii) in relation to an employer in relation to the scheme at a time when all other employers in relation to the scheme have either had—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the section under section 129(1A)[21] or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under section 129(5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under section 129(4)(a)[22],
(b) it occurs on or after the day appointed under section 126(2), and
(ii) does not occur within an assessment period (see section 132) in relation to the scheme which began before the occurrence of the current event.".
(2) Section 128 of the Act (duty to assume responsibility for schemes following application or notification) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if, for subsection (1), there were substituted the following subsection—
(b) the Board receives a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(b) of that section.".
Applications and notifications and Board's duty where application or notification received under section 129
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the scheme under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), or
(ii) ii)received a notice given by the Board under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a) in respect of an employer in relation to the scheme at a time when all other employers in relation to the scheme have either had—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the scheme under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), or
(b) are aware that a person is no longer an employer, or that persons are no longer employers, in relation to the scheme at a time when—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the scheme under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), and
(ii) at least one such insolvency event occurred, or at least one such notice was given under subsection (1A) or (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), on or after 6th April 2005 in relation to an employer in relation to that scheme,
(b) the prescribed requirements are met in relation to that employer,
they must give the Board a notice to that effect.
(b) the name of the employer in relation to the scheme in respect of which the notice is given, (c) a statement by the trustees or managers of the scheme that the employer in respect of which the notice is given is unlikely to continue as a going concern and that the requirements prescribed under subsection (1A)(b) have been met in relation to that employer, (d) the date on which the trustees or managers of the scheme became aware that the employer in respect of which the notice is given is unlikely to continue as a going concern, and (e) the date on which the notice was sent to the Board by the trustees or managers of the scheme.
(1C) Where the trustees or managers of a non-segregated scheme which is, for the purposes of this Part, an eligible scheme make an application to the Board under subsection (1)(a) or (b), they must as soon as practicable notify that fact to all the employers in relation to the scheme.";
(ii) meets the requirements prescribed under subsection (1A)(b), or
(b) is aware that a person is no longer an employer, or that persons are no longer employers, in relation to the scheme at a time when—
(bb) a notice given in respect of them by the trustees or managers of the scheme under subsection (1A) or a notice given by the Board in respect of them under subsection (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), and
(ii) at least one such insolvency event occurred, or at least one such notice was given under subsection (1A) or (5) by virtue of a notice given by the Regulator under subsection (4)(a), on or after 6th April 2005 in relation to an employer in relation to that scheme,
(2) Section 130 of the Act (Board's duty where application or notification received under section 129) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if—
(b) is notified by the Regulator under section 129(4)(b).";
(b) after subsection (4), there were inserted the following subsection—
Assessment periods
(ii) for the words "the employer,", there were substituted the words "an employer in relation to the scheme"; and (iii) after the words "an assessment period", there were inserted the words "in relation to the scheme";
(b) in subsection (4), for the words "in relation to an eligible scheme, an application is made under section 129(1) or a notification is received under section 129(5)(a), an assessment period", there were substituted the words "in relation to a non-segregated scheme which is, for the purposes of this Part, an eligible scheme, an application is made under section 129(1)(a) or (b) or a notification is received under section 129(4)(b), an assessment period in relation to the scheme"; and
Power to validate contraventions of section 135 and Board to act as creditor of the employer
(b) section 147(2)(b)(iii) and (4)(c) (new schemes created to replace existing schemes).
(3) Section 148(5)(c) and (7)(c) of the Act (withdrawal following issue of section 122(4) notice) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if, for the words "the employer", there were substituted the words "any employer".
(b) after subsection (2), there were inserted the following subsection—
(b) an insolvency practitioner acting in relation to every employer in relation to the scheme in respect of which the transfer notice is given.".
(2) Schedule 6 to the Act (transfer of property, rights and liabilities to the Board) shall be modified in its application to a scheme to which regulation 61 applies so that it shall be read as if, in paragraph 1, for the words "an occupational pension scheme", there were substituted the words "a non-segregated multi-employer scheme".
Amendment of the Notifiable Events Regulations
(This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend the Pensions Act 2004 (c.35) ("the Act"), the Pension Protection Fund (Compensation) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/670) ("the Compensation Regulations"), the Pension Protection Fund (Entry Rules) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/590) ("the Entry Rules Regulations"), the Pension Protection Fund (Multi-employer Schemes) (Modification) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/441) ("the Multi-employer Regulations"), the Pensions Regulator (Notifiable Events) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/900) ("the Notifiable Events Regulations"), the Pension Protection Fund (Provision of Information) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/674) ("the Provision of Information Regulations"), the Pension Protection Fund (Review and Reconsideration of Reviewable Matters) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/669) ("the Review and Reconsideration Regulations") and the Pension Protection Fund (Valuation) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/672) ("the Valuation Regulations"). Regulation 2 amends section 10 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Act by adding the power to extend or further extend prescribed periods under sections 58(6) and 60(3) of the Pensions Act 1995 (c.26) ("the 1995 Act") to the list of reserved regulatory functions listed in Schedule 2 to the Act. The amendments reserve the exercise of those powers to the Determinations Panel in the circumstances mentioned in section 10(2) of the Act. Regulation 3 amends Schedule 9 to the Act by adding a determination made by the Board under section 141(2) of the Act to the reviewable matters prescribed in that Schedule. Regulation 4 inserts a definition of "assessment date" into the Compensation Regulations, the Entry Rules Regulations, the Multi-employer Regulations, the Provision of Information Regulations, the Review and Reconsideration Regulations and the Valuation Regulations. Regulation 5 substitutes a new definition of "employer", where certain occupational pension schemes have no active members, into the Compensation Regulations, the Entry Rules Regulations, the Provision of Information Regulations, the Review and Reconsideration Regulations and the Valuation Regulations. Regulation 6 substitutes a new definition of "employer", in relation to a multi-employer scheme or a section of a multi-employer scheme, into the Compensation Regulations, the Entry Rules Regulations, the Provision of Information Regulations, the Review and Reconsideration Regulations and the Valuation Regulations. Regulation 7 inserts a definition of "non-segregated scheme" into the Compensation Regulations, the Provision of Information Regulations, the Review and Reconsideration Regulations and the Valuation Regulations. Regulation 8 inserts a definition of "segregated scheme" into the Compensation Regulations, the Provision of Information Regulations, the Review and Reconsideration Regulations and the Valuation Regulations. Regulation 9 extends the Compensation Regulations to civil partners. It provides that—
where a member has nominated a relevant partner to receive a survivor's pension under the admissible rules of the scheme, a surviving spouse or civil partner shall not be entitled to compensation; where a surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to compensation and there is no nomination in place in favour of a relevant partner, the relevant partner shall not be entitled to compensation; the maximum age at which dependant's compensation can be paid is reduced from 25 to 23, although a person entitled to dependant's compensation prior to 6th April 2006 will continue to receive such compensation until the age of 25. Regulation 10 amends the Multi-employer Regulations. In particular— paragraph (2) substitutes the definitions of "employer" in relation to an occupational pension scheme with no active members and a multi-employer scheme or a section of a multi-employer scheme; paragraph (3) substitutes Part 3, which modifies Part 2 of the Act as it applies to a section of a segregated scheme with at least two employers in relation to that section. The substituted Part 3 broadens the circumstances in which an application can be made to the Board of the Pension Protection Fund ("the Board") under section 129(1) of the Act for it to assume responsibility for a section of a scheme to which Part 3 applies; and paragraph (4) substitutes Part 6, which modifies Part 2 of the Act as it applies to certain multi-employer schemes which are not divided into two or more sections in specified circumstances. The substituted Part 6 broadens the circumstances in which an application can be made to the Board under section 129(1) of the Act for it to assume responsibility for a scheme to which Part 6 applies.
Regulation 11 amends the Notifiable Events Regulations, so that certain events which involved the taking of a decision about a certain action are now expanded to include a requirement to notify the Pensions Regulator when the action itself occurs in circumstances where a decision about that action was not required to be taken. Notes: [1] 2004 c.35. The Pensions Act 2004 is modified in its application to partially guaranteed schemes by S.I. 2005/277, in its application to hybrid schemes by S.I. 2005/449, and in its application to multi-employer schemes by S.I. 2005/441 (as amended by S.I. 2005/993). Section 318(1) is cited because of the meaning there given to "modifications", "prescribed" and "regulations".back [2] See section 317 of the Pensions Act 2004, which provides that the Secretary of State must consult such persons as he considers appropriate before making regulations by virtue of the provisions of that Act (other than Part 8). This duty does not apply where regulations are made before the end of the period of six months beginning with the coming into force of the provisions of the Act by virtue of which the regulations are made.back [3] S.I. 2005/670, amended by S.I. 2005/993.back [4] S.I. 2005/590, amended by S.I. 2005/993.back [5] S.I. 2005/441, amended by S.I. 2005/993.back [8] S.I. 2005/669, amended by S.I. 2005/993.back [9] S.I. 2005/672, amended by S.I. 2005/993.back [10] Schedule 2 was amended by S.I. 2005/703.back [11] 1995 c.26. Section 58 was amended by section 18 of, and paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 2 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.30).back [12] Schedule 9 was amended by regulation 4 of S.I. 2005/600 and was also modified, in relation to a partially guaranteed scheme, by regulation 3 of that instrument. Schedule 9 was further modified, in relation to the functions of the Pensions Compensation Board, by article 4(11) of S.I. 2005/1720.back [13] Regulation 1 was amended by regulation 5(2) of S.I. 2005/993.back [14] Section 75 was amended by section 271 of the Pensions Act 2004.back [16] Regulation 5(b) was amended by regulation 2 of S.I. 2005/993.back [17] Regulation 1 was amended by regulation 5(2) of S.I. 2005/993.back [18] Subsection (1A) of section 129 of the Pensions Act 2004 (c.35) is inserted by the modification in paragraph (3)(b) of this regulation.back [19] Subsection (4) of section 129 of the Pensions Act 2004 is substituted by the modification in paragraph (3)(c) of this regulation.back [20] Subsection (1) of section 129 is modified by paragraph (3)(a) of this regulation.back [21] Subsection (1A) of section 129 of the Pensions Act 2004 is inserted by the modification in regulation 65(1)(b) as substituted by these Regulations.back [22] Subsection (4) of section 129 of the Pensions Act 2004 is substituted by the modification in regulation 65(1)(c) as substituted by these Regulations.back [23] Subsection (1) of section 129 of the Pensions Act 2004 is substituted by the modification in regulation 65(1)(a) as substituted by these Regulations.back [24] Paragraph 7A is inserted by regulation 3 of these Regulations.back
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