The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

Applications and notifications where closed schemes have insufficient assets

141.—(1) If at any time the trustees or managers of a closed scheme become aware that the value of the assets of the scheme is less than the amount of the protected liabilities in relation to the scheme, they must, before the end of the prescribed period beginning with that time, make an application to the Board for it to assume responsibility for the scheme.

(2) Where the Board receives an application under paragraph (1), it must give a copy of the application to the Regulator.

(3) If at any time the Regulator becomes aware that the value of the assets of the scheme is less than the amount of the protected liabilities in relation to the scheme, it must give the Board a notice to that effect.

(4) Where the Board receives a notice under paragraph (3), it must give the trustees or managers of the scheme a notice to that effect.

(5) The duty imposed by paragraph (1) does not apply where the trustees or managers of a closed scheme become aware as mentioned in that paragraph by reason of a notice given to them under paragraph (4).

(6) The duty imposed by paragraph (3) does not apply where the Regulator becomes aware as mentioned in that paragraph by reason of a copy of an application made by the trustees or managers of the closed scheme being given to it under paragraph (2).

(7) Regulations may require notices and applications under this Article to be in the prescribed form and to contain the prescribed information.

(8) If the trustees or managers of a closed scheme fail to comply with paragraph (1), Article 10 of the 1995 Order (civil penalties) applies to any trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

(9) In this Article—

“assets”, in relation to a scheme, do not include assets representing the value of any rights in respect of money purchase benefits under the scheme rules;

“closed scheme” has the same meaning as in Article 139.