Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003

Pensions

24 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to any pension scheme which—

(a) had effect before the commencement of this Schedule principally or exclusively for the benefit of constables of the old transport police (within the meaning of section 73(3)), and

(b) has effect after the commencement of this Schedule (whether or not wholly or partly by virtue of an order under that section) principally or exclusively for the benefit of constables of the Police Force.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order vary—

(a) the terms of the scheme;

(b) arrangements relating to the operation of the scheme.

(3) An order under sub-paragraph (2) may, in particular—

(a) amend an instrument under which a scheme has effect;

(b) amend an instrument regulating a scheme;

(c) make provision about the manner in which a scheme can be amended;

(d) make provision about the exercise of functions under a scheme;

(e) confer a function (which may include a discretionary function) on the Secretary of State.

(4) An order under sub-paragraph (2) may not—

(a) make provision about—

(i) the persons who may participate in a scheme,

(ii) contributions by participants,

(iii) contributions by employers of participants,

(iv) the investment of assets, or

(v) the winding up of all or part of the scheme,

(b) prevent approval of a scheme under Chapter I of Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (c. 1) (retirement benefit schemes), or

(c) prevent a scheme from being a contracted-out scheme for the purposes of Part III of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48) or of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 (c. 49).

(5) Section 67(2) to (4) of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (restriction on power to alter pension scheme) shall apply to the power conferred by sub-paragraph (2) (except in so far as may be prescribed under section 67(5)(b) of that Act).

(6) Provision made under sub-paragraph (2) shall have effect only in so far as it is consistent with provision made under Schedule 11 to the Railways Act 1993 (c. 43).

(7) An order under sub-paragraph (2) may not be made unless the Secretary of State has consulted the trustees of any scheme to which the order relates.