The Pensions on Divorce etc. (Provision of Information) Regulations 2000

Statutory Instruments

2000 No. 1048

PENSIONS

FAMILY LAW

The Pensions on Divorce etc. (Provision of Information) Regulations 2000

Made

13th April 2000

Laid before Parliament

19th April 2000

Coming into force

1st December 2000

The Secretary of State for Social Security, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 168(1) and (4), 181(1)M1 and 182(2) and (3) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993M2 and sections 23(1)(a), (b)(i), (c)(i) and (2), 34(1)(b)(ii), 45(1) and 83(4) and (6) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, after consulting such persons as he considered appropriateM3 , hereby makes the following Regulations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Instrument applied (1.12.2000) by The Divorce etc. (Pensions) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1123), art. 3(1)(b)reg. 1(1)

Marginal Citations

M1 Section 181(1) is cited because of the meaning there given to “prescribed" and “regulations".

M2 1993 c. 48. A new section 168 was substituted by section 155(1) of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26). Section 168 applies to these Regulations by virtue of section 45(2) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30).

M3 See section 83(11) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

Citation, commencement and interpretation E+W+S

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Pensions on Divorce etc. (Provision of Information) Regulations 2000 and shall come into force on 1st December 2000.

(2) In these Regulations—

• “the 1993 Act" means the Pension Schemes Act 1993;

• “the 1995 Act" means the Pensions Act 1995;

• “the 1999 Act" means the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999;

• F1 ...

• “the Charging Regulations" means the Pensions on Divorce etc. (Charging) Regulations 2000 M4 ;

• “the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations" means the Pension Sharing (Implementation and Discharge of Liability) Regulations 2000 M5 ;

• “the Valuation Regulations" means the Pension Sharing (Valuation) Regulations 2000 M6 ;

• “active member" has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the 1995 Act M7 ;

• “day" means any day other than—

  (a)

  Christmas Day or Good Friday; or

  (b)

  a bank holiday, that is to say, a day which is, or is to be observed as, a bank holiday or a holiday under Schedule 1 to the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 M8 ;

• “deferred member" has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the 1995 Act;

• “implementation period" has the meaning given by section 34(1) of the 1999 Act;

• “member" means a person who has rights to future benefits, or has rights to benefits payable, under a pension arrangement;

• “money purchase benefits" has the meaning given by section 181(1) of the 1993 Act M9 ;

• “normal benefit age" has the meaning given by section 101B of the 1993 Act M10 ;

• [F2 “normal pension age” has the meaning given in section 180 of the 1993 Act (normal pension age);]

• “notice of discharge of liability" means a notice issued to the member and his former spouse [F3 or former civil partner] by the person responsible for a pension arrangement when that person has discharged his liability in respect of a pension credit in accordance with Schedule 5 to the 1999 Act;

• “notice of implementation" means a notice issued by the person responsible for a pension arrangement to the member and his former spouse [F4 or former civil partner] at the beginning of the implementation period notifying them of the day on which the implementation period for the pension credit begins;

• “occupational pension scheme" has the meaning given by section 1 of the 1993 Act;

• “the party with pension rights" and “the other party" have the meanings given by section 25D(3) of the [F5 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973] M11 ;

• “pension arrangement" has the meaning given in section 46(1) of the 1999 Act;

• “pension credit" means a credit under section 29(1)(b) of the 1999 Act;

• “pension credit benefit" means the benefits payable under a pension arrangement or a qualifying arrangement to or in respect of a person by virtue of rights under the arrangement in question which are attributable (directly or indirectly) to a pension credit;

• “pension credit rights" means rights to future benefits under a pension arrangement or a qualifying arrangement which are attributable (directly or indirectly) to a pension credit;

• “pension sharing order or provision" means an order or provision which is mentioned in section 28(1) of the 1999 Act;

• “pensionable service" has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the 1995 Act;

• [F6 “pensioner member” has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the 1995 Act;]

• “person responsible for a pension arrangement" has the meaning given by section 46(2) of the 1999 Act;

• “personal pension scheme" has the meaning given by section 1 of the 1993 Act M12 ;

• “qualifying arrangement" has the meaning given by paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the 1999 Act;

• F7 ...

• “retirement annuity contract" means a contract or scheme [F8 which is to be treated as becoming a registered pension scheme under 153(9) of the Finance Act 2004 in accordance with paragraph 1(1)(f) of Schedule 36 to that Act;]

• [F9 “salary related occupational pension scheme” has the meaning given by regulation 1A of the Transfer Values Regulations;]

• F10 ...

• “transfer day" has the meaning given by section 29(8) of the 1999 Act;

• “transferee" has the meaning given by section 29(8) of the 1999 Act;

• “transferor" has the meaning given by section 29(8) of the 1999 Act.

• [F2 “the Transfer Values Regulations” means the Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations 1996;]

• “trustees or managers" has the meaning given by section 46(1) of the 1999 Act.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 1(2) omitted (1.10.2008) by virtue of Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(a)(iii)

F2 Words in reg. 1(2) inserted (1.10.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(a)(i)

F3 Words in reg. 1(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(2)(a) (with art. 3)

F4 Words in reg. 1(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(2)(b) (with art. 3)

F5 Words in reg. 1(2) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(b)

F6 Words in reg. 1(2) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(a)

F7 Words in reg. 1(2) deleted (1.12.2000) by The Pension Sharing (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2691), regs. 1, 8(2)

F8 Words in reg. 1(2) substituted (6.4.2006) by Taxation of Pension Schemes (Consequential Amendments of Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes Legislation) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/744), arts. 1, 15(2)

F9 Words in reg. 1(2) substituted (1.10.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(a)(ii)

F10 Words in reg. 1(2) omitted (6.4.2009) by virtue of Occupational, Personal and Stakeholder Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/615), regs. 1(2), 12(2)

Marginal Citations

M4 S.I. 2000/1049.

M5 S.I. 2000/1053.

M6 S.I. 2000/1052.

M7 Section 124(1) is amended by the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M8 1971 c. 80.

M9 Section 181 was amended by the Pensions Act 1995, the Industrial Tribunals Act 1996 (c. 17), and is amended by the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M10 Section 101B is inserted by section 37 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M11 1973 c. 18. Section 250 was inserted by section 166 of the Pensions Act 1995 and is amended by paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M12 The definition of “personal pension scheme" was amended by paragraph 3(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

Basic information about pensions and divorce [F11 or dissolution of a civil partnership] E+W+S

2.—(1) The requirements imposed on a person responsible for a pension arrangement for the purposes of section 23(1)(a) of the 1999 Act (supply of pension information in connection with divorce etc.) are that he shall furnish—

(a) on request from a member, the information referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3)(b) to (f);

(b) on request from the spouse [F12 or civil partner] of a member, the information referred to in paragraph (3); or

(c) pursuant to an order of the court, the information referred to in paragraph (2), (3) or (4),

to the member, the spouse [F12 or civil partner] of the member, or, as the case may be, to the court.

(2) The information in this paragraph is a valuation of pension rights or benefits accrued under that member’s pension arrangement.

(3) The information in this paragraph is—

(a) a statement that on request from the member, or pursuant to an order of the court, a valuation of pension rights or benefits accrued under that member’s pension arrangement, will be provided to the member, or, as the case may be, to the court;

(b) a statement summarising the way in which the valuation referred to in paragraph (2) and sub-paragraph (a) is calculated;

(c) the pension benefits which are included in a valuation referred to in paragraph (2) and sub-paragraph (a);

(d) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangement offers membership to a person entitled to a pension credit, and if so, the types of benefits available to pension credit members under that arrangement;

(e) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangements intends to discharge his liability for a pension credit other than by offering membership to a person entitled to a pension credit; and

(f) the schedule of charges which the person responsible for the pension arrangement will levy in accordance with regulation 2(2) of the Charging Regulations (general requirements as to charges).

(4) The information in this paragraph is any other information relevant to any power with respect to the matters specified in section 23(1)(a) of the 1999 Act and which is not specified in [F13 Schedules 2 to 5 (basic information; information to be given on request; summary funding statements; statements of benefits: non money purchase benefits) and Schedule 6 (statements of benefits: money purchase benefits and cash balance benefits) or 7 (information to be given by schemes that relates to accessing benefits) (whichever is relevant) to the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013, in a case where those Regulations apply.].

(5) Where the member’s request for, or the court order for the provision of, information includes a request for, or an order for the provision of, a valuation under paragraph (2), the person responsible for the pension arrangement shall furnish all the information requested, or ordered, to the member—

(a) within 3 months beginning with the date the person responsible for the pension arrangement receives that request or order for the provision of the information;

(b) within 6 weeks beginning with the date the person responsible for the pension arrangement receives the request, or order, for the provision of the information, if the member has notified that person on the date of the request or order that the information is needed in connection with proceedings commenced under any of the provisions referred to in section 23(1)(a) of the 1999 Act; or

(c) within such shorter period specified by the court in an order requiring the person responsible for the pension arrangement to provide a valuation in accordance with paragraph (2).

(6) Where—

(a) the member’s request for, or the court order for the provision of, information does not include a request or an order for a valuation under paragraph (2); or

(b) the member’s spouse [F14 or civil partner] requests the information specified in paragraph (3),

the person responsible for the pension arrangement shall furnish that information to the member, his spouse, [F15 civil partner,] or the court, as the case may be, within one month beginning with the date that person responsible for the pension arrangement receives the request for, or the court order for the provision of, the information.

(7) At the same time as furnishing the information referred to in paragraph (1), the person responsible for a pension arrangement may furnish the information specified in regulation 4(2) (provision of information in response to a notification that a pension sharing order or provision may be made).

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in reg. 2 added (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(a) (with art. 3)

F12 Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(b) (with art. 3)

F13 Words in reg. 2(4) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(3)

F14 Words in reg. 2(6)(b) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(c)(i) (with art. 3)

F15 Words in reg. 2(6) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(c)(ii) (with art. 3)

Information about pensions and divorce [F16 and dissolution of a civil partnership]: valuation of pension benefits E+W+S

3.—(1) Where an application for financial relief under any of the provisions referred to in [F17 section 23(a)(i), (ia), (iii) or (iv)] of the 1999 Act (supply of pension information in connection with domestic and overseas divorce etc. in England and Wales and corresponding Northern Ireland powers) has been made or is in contemplation, the valuation of benefits under a pension arrangement shall be calculated and verified for the purposes of regulation 2 of these Regulations in accordance with—

[F18 (a) paragraphs (3) and (4), if the person with pension rights is an active member, a deferred member or a pensioner member of an occupational pension scheme;]

F19 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) paragraphs (5) and (6), if—

(i) the person with pension rights is a member of a personal pension scheme; or

(ii) those pension rights are contained in a retirement annuity contract; or

(d) [F20 paragraphs (7) and (8)], if—

(i) the pension of the person with pension rights is in payment;

[F21 (ii) the rights of the person with pension rights are contained in an insurance policy or annuity contract other than a retirement annuity contract;]

(iii) the rights of the person with pension rights are contained in a deferred annuity contract other than a retirement annuity contract[F22 ; or

(iv) the pension of the person with pension rights is not in payment and the person has attained normal pension age.]

(2) Where an application for financial provision under any of the provisions referred to in section 23(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Act (corresponding Scottish powers) has been made, or is in contemplation, the valuation of benefits under a pension arrangement shall be calculated and verified for the purposes of regulation 2 of these Regulations in accordance with regulation 3 of the Divorce etc. (Pensions) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 M13 (valuation).

[F23 (3) Where a person with pension rights is an active member, a deferred member or a pensioner member of an occupational pension scheme, the value of those rights in relation to a category of benefits referred to in section 93(6) of the 1993 Act (category of benefits) must be calculated and verified in accordance with regulations 7 to 7C and 7E(1) to (3) of the Transfer Values Regulations (calculation and verification of cash equivalent), as if—

(a) in the case of benefits other than money purchase benefits, the member has made an application for a statement of entitlement under section 93A of the 1993 Act (right to statement of entitlement: benefits other than money purchase) on the date that the request for the valuation was received; or

(b) in the case of money purchase benefits, the member has made an application under section 95 of the 1993 Act (ways of taking right to cash equivalent) to take the cash equivalent of those benefits on the date that the request for the valuation was received.

(4) Where the person with pension rights is continuing to accrue rights to benefits in the category of benefits to be valued, paragraph (3) applies as if the person had ceased to accrue rights in that category of benefits on the date that the request for the valuation was received.]

(5) Where the person with pension rights is a member of a personal pension scheme, or those rights are contained in a retirement annuity contract, the value of the benefits which he has under that scheme or contract shall be taken to be the cash equivalent to which he would have acquired a right under [F24 section 94 of the 1993 Act (right to cash equivalent)], if he had made an application under section 95(1) of that Act on the date on which the request for the valuation was received.

(6) In relation to a personal pension scheme which is comprised in a retirement annuity contract made before 4th January 1988, paragraph (5) shall apply as if such a scheme were not excluded from the scope of [F25 Chapter 1 of Part 4ZA of the 1993 Act by section 93(5)(b) of that Act (scope of Chapter 1)].

[F26 (7) Cash equivalents are to be calculated and verified in accordance with regulations 7 to 7C and 7E(1) to (3) of the Transfer Values Regulations as appropriate.]

[F27 (8) When calculating and verifying a cash equivalent, regulations 7 to 7C and 7E(1) to (3) of the Transfer Values Regulations are to be read as if—

(a) in regulation 7—

(i) in paragraph (1)(a), the words “and then making any reductions in accordance with regulation 7D” do not appear;

(ii) in paragraph (1)(b), the words “regulation 7E” are replaced with “regulation 7E(1) to (3)”;

(iii) in paragraphs (2) and (4), the word “trustees” is replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement”;

(iv) in paragraph (3), the words “trustees are” are replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement is”;

(v) in paragraph (5), the words “trustees of the scheme in question have” are replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement has”;

(b) in regulations 7A and 7B, in each place where it appears, the word “trustees” is replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement”;

(c) in regulation 7C—

(i) in paragraph (3), in both places where it appears, the word “trustees” is replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement”;

(ii) in paragraph (4)(b)(iv), the words “trustees determine” are replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement determines”;

(d) in regulation 7E—

(i) in paragraph (1), the words “trustees have” are replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement has”;

(ii) in paragraph (2), the word “trustees” is replaced with “person responsible for the pension arrangement”.]

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in reg. 3 inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(4)(a) (with art. 3)

F17 Words in reg. 3(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(4)(b) (with art. 3)

F18 Reg. 3(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(a)(i)

F19 Reg. 3(1)(b) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(a)(ii)

F20 Words in reg. 3(1)(d) substituted (1.10.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(b)(aa)

F21 Reg. 3(1)(d)(ii) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(a)(iii)

F22 Reg. 3(1)(d)(iv) inserted (1.10.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(b)(bb)

F23 Reg. 3(3)(4) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(b)

F24 Words in reg. 3(5) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(c)

F25 Words in reg. 3(6) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(d)

F26 Reg. 3(7)(8) substituted for reg. 3(7)-(9) (1.10.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(b)(iii)

F27 Reg. 3(8)(10) substituted for reg. 3(8) (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(e)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Reg. 3 modified in part (1.1.2006) by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3181), art. 1, Sch. 4 para. 2(3)(a)

C3 Reg. 3 applied in part (with modifications) (17.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Recovery from Pension Schemes) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/291), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(a)

C4 Reg. 3 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2002) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Bankruptcy) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/427), regs. 1(1), 7(2)

C5 Reg. 3 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2002) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Bankruptcy) (No.2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/836), regs. 1(1), 7(2)

C6 Reg. 3 applied (1.12.2000) by The Divorce etc. (Pensions) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1123), art. 3(1)reg. 1(1)

Marginal Citations

M13 S.S.I. 2000/112.

Provision of information in response to a notification that a pension sharing order or provision may be made E+W+S

4.—(1) A person responsible for a pension arrangement shall furnish the information specified in paragraph (2) to the member or to the court, as the case may be—

(a) within 21 days beginning with the date that the person responsible for the pension arrangement received the notification that a pension sharing order or provision may be made; or

(b) if the court has specified a date which is outside the 21 days referred to in sub-paragraph (a), by that date.

(2) The information referred to in paragraph (1) is—

(a) the full name of the pension arrangement and address to which any order or provision referred to in section 28(1) of the 1999 Act (activation of pension sharing) should be sent;

(b) in the case of an occupational pension scheme, whether the scheme is winding up, and, if so,—

(i) the date on which the winding up commenced; F28 ...

(ii) the name and address of the trustees who are dealing with the winding up; and

[F29 (iii) whether the member’s rights to benefit are to be or are likely to be reduced in accordance with sections 73 to 74 of the 1995 Act (winding up provisions);]

(c) in the case of an occupational pension scheme, whether a cash equivalent of the member’s pension rights, if calculated on the date the notification referred to in paragraph (1)(a) was received by the trustees or managers of that scheme, would be reduced in accordance with the provisions of [F30 paragraphs 2, 3 and 12 of Schedule 1A to the Transfer Values Regulations (reductions in initial cash equivalents) [F31 if the member were to transfer the cash equivalent of those rights out of the scheme];]

(d) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangement is aware that the member’s rights under the pension arrangement are subject to any, and if so, to specify which, of the following—

(i) any order or provision specified in section 28(1) of the 1999 Act;

(ii) an order under section 23 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 M14 (financial provision orders in connection with divorce etc.), so far as it includes provision made by virtue of section 25B or 25C of that Act M15 (powers to include provisions about pensions);

(iii) an order under section 12A(2) or (3) of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 M16 (powers in relation to pensions lump sums when making a capital sum order) which relates to benefits or future benefits to which the member is entitled under the pension arrangement;

(iv) an order under Article 25 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 M17 , so far as it includes provision made by virtue of Article 27B or 27C of that Order (Northern Ireland powers corresponding to those mentioned in paragraph (2)(d)(ii));

(v) a forfeiture order;

(vi) a bankruptcy order;

(vii) an award of sequestration on a member’s estate or the making of the appointment on his estate of a judicial factor under section 41 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 M18 (appointment of judicial factor);

(e) whether the member’s rights under the pension arrangement include rights specified in regulation 2 of the Valuation Regulations (rights under a pension arrangement which are not shareable);

(f) if the person responsible for the pension arrangement has not at an earlier stage provided the following information, whether that person requires the charges specified in regulation 3 (charges recoverable in respect of the provision of basic information), 5 (charges in respect of pension sharing activity), or 6 (additional amounts recoverable in respect of pension sharing activity) of the Charging Regulations to be paid before the commencement of the implementation period, and if so,—

(i) whether that person requires those charges to be paid in full; or

(ii) the proportion of those charges which he requires to be paid;

(g) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangement may levy additional charges specified in regulation 6 of the Charging Regulations, and if so, the scale of the additional charges which are likely to be made;

(h) whether the member is a trustee of the pension arrangement;

(i) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangement may request information about the member’s state of health from the member if a pension sharing order or provision were to be made;

F32 (j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(k) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangement requires information additional to that specified in regulation 5 (information required by the person responsible for the pension arrangement before the implementation period may begin) in order to implement the pension sharing order or provision.

Textual Amendments

F28 Word in reg. 4(2)(b)(i) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(a)

F29 Reg. 4(2)(b)(iii) and word inserted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(b)

F30 Words in reg. 4(2)(c) substituted (1.10.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1050), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(c)

F31 Words in reg. 4(2)(c) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Pension Sharing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/289), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(c)

F32 Reg. 4(2)(j) deleted (1.12.2000) by The Pension Sharing (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2691), regs. 1, 8(3)

Marginal Citations

M14 1973 c. 18.

M15 Sections 25B and 25C were inserted by section 166 of the Pensions Act 1995, and are amended by paragraphs 1 and 2 respectively of Schedule 4 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M16 Section 12A is amended by paragraph 9 of Schedule 12 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M17 S.I. 1978/1045 (N.I. 15). Articles 27B and 27C were inserted by article 162 of S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), and were amended by paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 4 to S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11).

M18 1980 c. 46.

Information required by the person responsible for the pension arrangement before the implementation period may begin E+W+S

5.  The information prescribed for the purposes of section 34(1)(b) of the 1999 Act (information relating to the transferor and the transferee which the person responsible for the pension arrangement must receive) is—

(a) in relation to the transferor—

(i) all names by which the transferor has been known;

(ii) date of birth;

(iii) address;

(iv) National Insurance number;

(v) the name of the pension arrangement to which the pension sharing order or provision relates; and

(vi) the transferor’s membership or policy number in that pension arrangement;

(b) in relation to the transferee—

(i) all names by which the transferee has been known;

(ii) date of birth;

(iii) address;

(iv) National Insurance number; and

(v) if the transferee is a member of the pension arrangement from which the pension credit is derived, his membership or policy number in that pension arrangement;

(c) where the transferee has given his consent in accordance with paragraph 1(3)(c), 3(3)(c) or 4(2)(c) of Schedule 5 to the 1999 Act (mode of discharge of liability for a pension credit) to the payment of the pension credit to the person responsible for a qualifying arrangement—

(i) the full name of that qualifying arrangement;

(ii) its address;

(iii) if known, the transferee’s membership number or policy number in that arrangement; and

(iv) the name or title, business address, business telephone number, and, where available, the business facsimile number and electronic mail address of a person who may be contacted in respect of the discharge of liability for the pension credit;

(d) where the rights from which the pension credit is derived are held in an occupational pension scheme which is being wound up, whether the transferee has given an indication whether he wishes to transfer his pension credit rights which may have been reduced in accordance with the provisions of regulation 16(1) of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations (adjustments to the amount of the pension credit—occupational pension schemes which are underfunded on the valuation day) to a qualifying arrangement; and

(e) any information requested by the person responsible for the pension arrangement in accordance with regulation 4(2)(i) or (k).

Provision of information after the death of the person entitled to the pension credit before liability in respect of the pension credit has been discharged E+W+S

6.— [F33 (1) Where the person entitled to the pension credit dies before the person responsible for the pension arrangement has discharged his liability in respect of the pension credit, the person responsible for the pension arrangement shall, within 21 days of the date of receipt of the notification of the death of the person entitled to the pension credit, notify in writing any person whom the person responsible for the pension arrangement considers should be notified of the matters specified in paragraph (2).]

(2) The matters specified in this paragraph are—

(a) how the person responsible for the pension arrangement intends to discharge his liability in respect of the pension credit;

(b) whether the person responsible for the pension arrangement intends to recover charges from the person nominated to receive pension credit benefits, in accordance with regulations 2 to 9 of the Charging Regulations, and if so, a copy of the schedule of charges issued to the parties to pension sharing in accordance with regulation 2(2)(b) of the Charging Regulations (general requirements as to charges); and

(c) a list of any further information which the person responsible for the pension arrangement requires in order to discharge his liability in respect of the pension credit.

Textual Amendments

F33 Reg. 6(1) substituted (1.12.2000) by The Pension Sharing (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2691), regs. 1, 8(4)

Provision of information after receiving a pension sharing order or provision E+W+S

7.—(1) A person responsible for a pension arrangement who is in receipt of a pension sharing order or provision relating to that arrangement shall provide in writing to the transferor and transferee, or, where regulation 6(1) applies, to the person other than the person entitled to the pension credit referred to in regulation 6 of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations (discharge of liability in respect of a pension credit following the death of the person entitled to the pension credit), as the case may be,—

(a) a notice in accordance with the provisions of regulation 7(1) of the Charging Regulations (charges in respect of pension sharing activity—postponement of implementation period);

(b) a list of information relating to the transferor or the transferee, or, where regulation 6(1) applies, the person other than the person entitled to the pension credit referred to in regulation 6 of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations, as the case may be, which—

(i) has been requested in accordance with regulation 4(2)(i) and (k), or, where appropriate, 6(2)(c), or should have been provided in accordance with regulation 5;

(ii) the person responsible for the pension arrangement considers he needs in order to begin to implement the pension sharing order or provision; and

(iii) remains outstanding;

(c) a notice of implementation; or

(d) a statement by the person responsible for the pension arrangement explaining why he is unable to implement the pension sharing order or agreement.

(2) The information specified in paragraph (1) shall be furnished in accordance with that paragraph within 21 days beginning with—

(a) in the case of sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of that paragraph, the day on which the person responsible for the pension arrangement receives the pension sharing order or provision; or

(b) in the case of sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph, the later of the days specified in section 34(1)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Act (implementation period).

Provision of information after the implementation of a pension sharing order or provision E+W+S

8.—(1) The person responsible for the pension arrangement shall issue a notice of discharge of liability to the transferor and the transferee, or, as the case may be, the person entitled to the pension credit by virtue of regulation 6 of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations no later than the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the discharge of liability in respect of the pension credit is completed.

(2) In the case of a transferor whose pension is not in payment, the notice of discharge of liability shall include the following details—

(a) the value of the transferor’s accrued rights as determined by reference to the cash equivalent value of those rights calculated and verified in accordance with regulation 3 of the Valuation Regulations (calculation and verification of cash equivalents for the purposes of the creation of pension debits and credits);

(b) the value of the pension debit;

(c) any amount deducted from the value of the pension rights in accordance with regulation 9(2)(c) of the Charging Regulations (charges in respect of pension sharing activity—method of recovery);

(d) the value of the transferor’s rights after the amounts referred to in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) have been deducted; and

(e) the transfer day.

(3) In the case of a transferor whose pension is in payment, the notice of discharge of liability shall include the following details—

(a) the value of the transferor’s benefits under the pension arrangement as determined by reference to the cash equivalent value of those rights calculated and verified in accordance with regulation 3 of the Valuation Regulations;

(b) the value of the pension debit;

(c) the amount of the pension which was in payment before liability in respect of the pension credit was discharged;

(d) the amount of pension which is payable following the deduction of the pension debit from the transferor’s pension benefits;

(e) the transfer day;

(f) if the person responsible for the pension arrangement intends to recover charges, the amount of any unpaid charges—

(i) not prohibited by regulation 2 of the Charging Regulations (general requirements as to charges); and

(ii) specified in regulations 3 and 6 of those Regulations;

(g) how the person responsible for the pension arrangement will recover the charges referred to in sub-paragraph (f), including—

(i) whether the method of recovery specified in regulation 9(2)(d) of the Charging Regulations will be used;

(ii) the date when payment of those charges in whole or in part is required; and

(iii) the sum which will be payable by the transferor, or which will be deducted from his pension benefits, on that date.

(4) In the case of a transferee—

(a) whose pension is not in payment; and

(b) who will become a member of the pension arrangement from which the pension credit rights were derived,

the notice of discharge of liability to the transferee shall include the following details—

(i) the value of the pension credit;

(ii) any amount deducted from the value of the pension credit in accordance with regulation 9(2)(b) of the Charging Regulations;

(iii) the value of the pension credit after the amount referred to in sub-paragraph (b)(ii) has been deducted;

(iv) the transfer day;

(v) any periodical charges the person responsible for the pension arrangement intends to make, including how and when those charges will be recovered from the transferee; and

(vi) information concerning membership of the pension arrangement which is relevant to the transferee as a pension credit member.

(5) In the case of a transferee who is transferring his pension credit rights out of the pension arrangement from which those rights were derived, the notice of discharge of liability to the transferee shall include the following details—

(a) the value of the pension credit;

(b) any amount deducted from the value of the pension credit in accordance with regulation 9(2)(b) of the Charging Regulations;

(c) the value of the pension credit after the amount referred to in sub-paragraph (b) has been deducted;

(d) the transfer day; and

(e) details of the pension arrangement, including its name, address, reference number, telephone number, and, where available, the business facsimile number and electronic mail address, to which the pension credit has been transferred.

(6) In the case of a transferee, who has reached normal benefit age on the transfer day, and in respect of whose pension credit liability has been discharged in accordance with paragraph 1(2), 2(2), 3(2) or 4(4) of Schedule 5 to the 1999 Act (pension credits: mode of discharge—funded pension schemes, unfunded public service pension schemes, other unfunded pension schemes, or other pension arrangements), the notice of discharge of liability to the transferee shall include the following details—

(a) the amount of pension credit benefit which is to be paid to the transferee;

(b) the date when the pension credit benefit is to be paid to the transferee;

(c) the transfer day;

(d) if the person responsible for the pension arrangement intends to recover charges, the amount of any unpaid charges—

(i) not prohibited by regulation 2 of the Charging Regulations; and

(ii) specified in regulations 3 and 6 of those Regulations; and

(e) how the person responsible for the pension arrangement will recover the charges referred to in sub-paragraph (d), including—

(i) whether the method of recovery specified in regulation 9(2)(e) of the Charging Regulations will be used;

(ii) the date when payment of those charges in whole or in part is required; and

(iii) the sum which will be payable by the transferee, or which will be deducted from his pension credit benefits, on that date.

(7) In the case of a person entitled to the pension credit by virtue of regulation 6 of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations, the notice of discharge of liability shall include the following details—

(a) the value of the pension credit rights as determined in accordance with regulation 10 of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations (calculation of the value of appropriate rights);

(b) any amount deducted from the value of the pension credit in accordance with regulation 9(2)(b) of the Charging Regulations;

(c) the value of the pension credit;

(d) the transfer day; and

(e) any periodical charges the person responsible for the pension arrangement intends to make, including how and when those charges will be recovered from the payments made to the person entitled to the pension credit by virtue of regulation 6 of the Implementation and Discharge of Liability Regulations.

Penalties E+W+S

9.  Where any trustee or manager of an occupational pension scheme fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement imposed under regulation 6, 7 or 8, the Regulatory Authority may [F34 by notice in writing] require that trustee or manager to pay within 28 days from the date of its imposition, a penalty which shall not exceed—

(a) £200 in the case of an individual, and

(b) £1,000 in any other case.

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in reg. 9 inserted (6.4.2009) by Occupational, Personal and Stakeholder Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/615), regs. 1(2), 12(3)

Provision of information after receipt of an earmarking order E+W+S

10.—(1) The person responsible for the pension arrangement shall, within 21 days beginning with the day that he receives—

(a) an order under section 23 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, so far as it includes provision made by virtue of section 25B or 25C of that Act (powers to include provision about pensions);

(b) an order under section 12A(2) or (3) of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985; or

(c) an order under Article 25 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, so far as it includes provision made by virtue of Article 27B or 27C of that Order (Northern Ireland powers corresponding to those mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)),

issue to the party with pension rights and the other party a notice which includes the information specified in paragraphs (2) and (5), or (3), (4) and (5), as the case may be.

(2) Where an order referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) is made in respect of the pension rights or benefits of a party with pension rights whose pension is not in payment, the notice issued by the person responsible for a pension arrangement to the party with pension rights and the other party shall include a list of the circumstances in respect of any changes of which the party with pension rights or the other party must notify the person responsible for the pension arrangement.

(3) Where an order referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (c) is made in respect of the pension rights or benefits of a party with pension rights whose pension is in payment, the notice issued by the person responsible for a pension arrangement to the party with pension rights and the other party shall include—

(a) the value of the pension rights or benefits of the party with pension rights;

(b) the amount of the pension of the party with pension rights after the order has been implemented;

(c) the first date when a payment pursuant to the order is to be made; and

(d) a list of the circumstances, in respect of any changes of which the party with pension rights or the other party must notify the person responsible for the pension arrangement.

(4) Where an order referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (c) is made in respect of the pension rights of a party with pension rights whose pension is in payment, the notice issued by the person responsible for a pension arrangement to the party with pension rights shall, in addition to the items specified in paragraph (3), include—

(a) the amount of the pension of the party with pension rights which is currently in payment; and

(b) the amount of pension which will be payable to the party with pension rights after the order has been implemented.

(5) Where an order referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) is made the notice issued by the person responsible for a pension arrangement to the party with pension rights and the other party shall include—

(a) the amount of any charges which remain unpaid by—

(i) the party with pension rights; or

(ii) the other party,

in respect of the provision by the person responsible for the pension arrangement of information about pensions and divorce [F35 or dissolution of a civil partnership] pursuant to regulation 3 of the Charging Regulations, and in respect of complying with an order referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c); and

(b) information as to the manner in which the person responsible for the pension arrangement will recover the charges referred to in sub-paragraph (a), including—

(i) the date when payment of those charges in whole or in part is required;

(ii) the sum which will be payable by the party with pension rights or the other party, as the case may be; and

(iii) whether the sum will be deducted from payments of pension to the party with pension rights, or, as the case may be, from payments to be made to the other party pursuant to an order referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c).

Textual Amendments

F35 Words in reg. 10(5)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2877), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(5) (with art. 3)

[F36 Provision of information E+W+S

11.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2) a person required to provide information under regulation 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 or 10 must provide that information in accordance with regulations 26 to 28 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013 (giving information and documents).

(2) Information may be provided to the court by means of an electronic communication only where the court has given its permission.

(3) In this regulation “electronic communication” has the meaning given by the Electronic Communications Act 2000.]

Textual Amendments

F36 Reg. 11 added (6.4.2014) by The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2734), reg. 1(1), Sch. 9 para. 7

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Social Security

Jeff Rooker

Minister of State,

Department of Social Security

13th April 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations set out the requirements imposed on a person responsible for a pension arrangement with respect to the supply of information to members and their spouses (or former spouses) in relation to pensions on divorce, separation or nullity.

Regulation 1 provides for citation, commencement and interpretation.

Regulation 2 sets out what basic information persons responsible for a pension arrangement must provide to a member, his spouse or the court in relation to pensions on divorce, separation or nullity.

Regulation 3 provides for how valuations of pension benefits are to be calculated and verified for the purposes of the provision of information in respect of pensions on divorce, separation or nullity.

Regulation 4 specifies the information which a person responsible for a pension arrangement must provide to a member and his spouse in response to a notification that a pension sharing order or provision may be made, and the circumstances in which that information must be provided.

Regulation 5 sets out the information which will be required by the person responsible for the pension arrangement from the member and his former spouse before the implementation period may begin.

Regulation 6 specifies the information a person responsible for a pension arrangement must provide to the former spouse’s representative, and the person who has been nominated by the former spouse to receive the pension credit benefit if the former spouse dies before liability in respect of the pension credit is discharged (the nominee).

Regulation 7 specifies the information a person responsible for a pension arrangement must provide to a member and his former spouse, or the nominee, as the case may be, when a pension sharing order or provision has been received.

Regulation 8 sets out the information which a person responsible for a pension arrangement must provide to a member and his former spouse, or the nominee, as the case may be, once a pension sharing order or provision has been implemented.

Regulation 9 sets out the maximum penalties which the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority may impose if the trustees or managers of an occupational pension scheme fail to comply with the requirements to furnish the information specified in regulation 6, 7 or 8 within the prescribed time limits.

Regulation 10 sets out the information which a person responsible for a pension arrangement must furnish to the party to the marriage with pension rights and the other party to the marriage after receiving an earmarking order.

An assessment of the cost to business of the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, including these Regulations, is detailed in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for that Act. A copy of this Assessment has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies can be obtained by post from the Department of Social Security, Pensions on Divorce, 3rd Floor, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.