79.—(1) A person (P) is qualified for retirement benefits in respect of a period of pensionable service if—
(a)P has at least 2 years’ qualifying service; or
(b)after P enters pensionable service, a transfer value payment or cash transfer sum is accepted under Part 10 (transfers) in respect of P’s rights accrued under a personal pension scheme.
(2) In these Regulations, a period of qualifying service is the total of the following—
(a)any period of pensionable service under this scheme (other than a period of post-benefit service);
(b)if after P enters pensionable service under this scheme a transfer value payment or cash transfer sum has been accepted under Part 10 in respect of rights accrued under another occupational pension scheme, a period equal to the person’s period as an active member in that scheme;
(c)for a transition member with continuity of service, any period of pensionable service under the existing scheme before the closing date.
(3) Any pensionable service in respect of which a person’s rights under this scheme or the existing scheme are extinguished is not qualifying service.