Administration
I114Information about benefits
1
Scheme regulations must require the scheme manager for a scheme under section 1 which is a defined benefits scheme to provide benefit information statements to each person in pensionable service under the scheme in accordance with this section.
2
A benefit information statement must include—
a
a description of the benefits earned by the person in respect of his or her pensionable service, and
b
such other information as directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel may specify.
3
The information included in a benefit information statement must comply with such requirements as directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel may specify.
4
A benefit information statement must be provided—
a
no later than the relevant date, and
b
at least once in each year ending with the anniversary of that date.
5
The relevant date is the last day of the period of 17 months beginning with the day on which scheme regulations establishing the scheme come into force.
6
A benefit information statement must be provided in such manner as directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel may specify.
I715Information about schemes
1
Directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel may require the scheme manager or responsible authority of a scheme under section 1 to—
a
publish scheme information, or
b
provide scheme information to the Department of Finance and Personnel.
2
In subsection (1), “scheme information” means information about the scheme and any statutory pension scheme that is connected with it.
3
The information to which directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel under this section may relate includes in particular—
a
scheme accounts;
b
information about any scheme funding, assets and liabilities;
c
information about scheme membership;
d
information about employer and member contributions;
e
information about scheme administration and governance.
4
Directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel under this section may specify how and when information is to be published or provided.
5
Directions given by the Department of Finance and Personnel under this section may not require publication or provision of anything that the scheme manager or responsible authority could not otherwise lawfully publish or provide.
I3I616Records
1
The scheme manager for a scheme under section 1 and any statutory pension scheme that is connected with it must keep such records as may be specified in regulations made by the Department for Social Development.
2
Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution.
17Regulatory oversight
I4I51
Schedule 4 (regulatory oversight) contains provision relating to the regulation of schemes under section 1, new public body pension schemes and connected schemes.
I22
The Department for Social Development may by order make—
a
provision consequential on Schedule 4, and
b
further provision for, or in connection with, the regulation of public service pension schemes within the meaning of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (as amended by that Schedule).
I23
The provision referred to in subsection (2) includes provision made by amending any legislation (including this Act).
I24
An order under this section may make different provision for different purposes.
I25
An order under this section is subject to the confirmatory procedure, that is to say, the order—
a
must be laid before the Assembly after being made; and
b
takes effect on such date as may be specified in the order, but (without prejudice to the validity of anything done thereunder or to the making of a new order) ceases to have effect upon the expiration of a period of 6 months from that date unless at some time before the expiration of that period the order is approved by a resolution of the Assembly.