3.K.15.—(1) This regulation applies to a 2008 Section Optant who—
(a)submits a form AW8 (or such other form as the Scottish Ministers are willing to accept) together with supporting medical evidence (if not included on the form) for the purposes of an ill health pension payable in accordance with regulation 3.D.7 (early retirement on ill health: active members and non-contributing members);
(b)that form and supporting medical evidence was received by the Scottish Ministers before the end of the period of one year commencing on the day the Scottish Ministers received the Optant’s option to join this Section of the scheme; and
(c)following a consideration of the form and medical evidence referred to in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i)the Optant becomes entitled to a lower tier ill health pension under regulation 3.D.7; and
(ii)at the time the Optant is awarded a pension under that regulation the Scottish Ministers give the Optant notice in writing in accordance with regulation 3.D.8(1)(b) (re-assessment of entitlement to an ill health pension) that the Optant’s case may be considered once within a period of three years commencing with the date of that award to determine whether the Optant meets the condition in regulation 3.D.7(3)(a) at the date of such a consideration.
(2) If, after considering the further medical evidence provided by the Optant under regulation 3.D.8, the Scottish Ministers determine that the Optant meets the condition in 3.D.7(3)(a), then as from the date on which that determination is made the Optant—
(a)ceases to be entitled to a lower tier ill health pension; and
(b)becomes entitled to an upper tier ill health pension under regulation 3.D.7 but which must be calculated in accordance with paragraph (3).
(3) Subject to paragraph (4) for the purpose of calculating the upper tier ill health pension referred to in paragraph (2)—
(a)the Optant’s service must be increased by the transitional enhancement period determined in accordance with whichever of regulation 3.K.12(3) or (4) applies to the Optant; and
(b)the transitional enhancement period must apply to that Optant’s service in place of the enhancement period that, apart from this regulation, would otherwise apply to the Optant’s service under regulation 3.D.7(6).
(4) In the case of an Optant to whom this regulation applies—
(a)regulation 3.K.12(3) must be read as if the definition of “the Optant’s assumed pensionable service” included the words “from the date of the Scottish Ministers’ determination under regulation 3.D.8” after “continued in service”; and
(b)references to the “enhancement period” in regulation 3.D.7 are to be read as references to the “transitional enhancement period” determined under this regulation.