Social Security Pensions Act 1975

16 (1) A member may only exercise the option conferred by paragraph 13 above by making an application in writing to the trustees or managers of the scheme.

[X1 (2) In any case where—

(a) a member has exercised that option; and

(b) the trustees or managers of the scheme have done what is needed to carry out what the member requires.

the trustees or managers shall be discharged from any obligation to provide benefits to which the cash equivalent related except, in any [F1 such cases as are] mentioned in paragraph 13(5) above, to the extent that an obligation to provide [F1 such guaranteed minimum pensions or give effect to such protected rights] continues to subsist.]

[F2 (2) In any case where—

(a) a member has exercised that option; and

(b) the trustees or managers of the scheme have done what is needed to carry out what the member requires,

the trustees or managers shall be discharged from any obligation to provide benefits to which the cash equivalent related except, in any such cases as are mentioned in paragraph 1 3(5) above, to the extent that an obligation to make provision for such protected rights continues to subsist.]

(3) If the trustees or managers of a scheme receive an application under this paragraph, it shall be their duty, subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, to do what is needed to carry out what the member requires—

(a) within twelve months of the date on which they receive the application; or

(b) by the date on which the member attains normal pension age, whichever is the earlier.

(4) If—

(a) disciplinary proceedings or proceedings before a court have been commenced against a member at any time before the expiry of the period of twelve months beginning with the date when his pensionable service terminates; and

(b) it appears to the trustees or managers of the scheme of which he is a member that the proceedings may lead to the whole or part of the pension or benefit in lieu of a pension payable to the member or his widow being forfeited,

it shall be the trustees’ or managers’ duty, subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, to do what is needed to carry out what the member requires before—

(i) the date before which they would be obliged to do it under sub-paragraph (3) above; or

(ii) the end of the period of three months after the conclusion of the disciplinary or court proceedings (including any proceedings on appeal),

whichever is the later.

(5) The Occupational Pensions Board may grant an extension of the period within which the trustees or managers of a scheme are obliged to do what is needed to carry out what a member of the scheme requires—

(a) in any case where in the opinion of the Board—

(i) the scheme is being wound up or is about to be wound up;

(ii) the scheme is ceasing to be a contracted-out scheme;

(iii) the interests of the members of the scheme generally will be prejudiced if the trustees or managers of the scheme do what is needed to carry out what is required within that period; or

(iv) the member has not taken all such steps as the trustees or managers can reasonably expect him to take in order to satisfy them of any matter which falls to be established before they can properly carry out what he requires;

(b) in any case where the provisions of section 49 above apply; and

(c) in any case where a request for an extension has been made on a ground specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above, and the Board’s consideration of the request cannot be completed before the end of that period.

(6) A request under sub-paragraph (5) above may only be made by the trustees or managers.

(7) The Board shall have power, if they are satisfied that there has been a relevant change of circumstances since they granted an extension, or that they granted an extension in ignorance of a material fact or on the basis of a mistake as to a material fact—

(a) to direct that the extension shall end on a date earlier than that on which it would otherwise have ended; or

(b) to revoke the grant of the extension.

(8) An application to the trustees or managers of a scheme under this paragraph is to be taken to have been made if it is delivered to them personally, or sent by post in a registered letter or by the recorded delivery service.

Editorial Information

X1 Sch. 1A para. 16(2) as set out second substituted (with effect from 6.4.1988) for para. 16(2) as set out first by S.I. 1987/1116, Sch. 4, para. 12(a)

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted (with effect from 6.4.1988) by The Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Modification of Enactments) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1116, Sch. 6, para. 6)

F2 Sch. 1A para. 16(2) as set out second substituted (with effect from 6.4.1988) for para. 16(2) as set out first by S.I. 1987/1116, Sch. 4, para. 12(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Under reg. 3(10) of S.I. 1987/1116, para. 16(1) and (2) as set out first have effect (27.7.1987) in relation to personal pension schemes subject to the modification, specified in para. 12(a) of Sch. 4 to that S.I., of that part of para. 16(2) which came after the words “an obligation” as it stood before 6.4.1988. As so modified, para. 16(2) reads as set out second

C2 Under reg. 3(10) of S.I 1987/1116, Sch. 1A para. 16(3)-(8) has effect (27.7.1987) in relation to personal pension schemes subject to the modifications, specified in para. 12(b)-(e) of Sch. 4 to that S.I., to paras. 3(b), (4) and (5)