Section 28: Duty to pursue continuity option
This section requires that when the Pensions Regulator has approved the implementation strategy, the trustees must pursue the continuity option identified in the strategy and take such steps as are identified in the implementation strategy to carry out the continuity option. Where they fail to do so, the Pensions Regulator has the power to direct the trustees to pursue the continuity option identified in the strategy and take the steps identified in the strategy to carry it out (subsection (4)). A penalty for failure to comply under Article 10 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 applies to anyone who fails to comply with a direction made by the Pensions Regulator (subsection (5)).
The trustees must also make the strategy available to employers under subsection (2). The time period for doing so must be set out in regulations.
The effect of subsection (6) is to override any provisions of the Master Trust scheme or any contracts that the scheme has entered into, to the extent that there is a conflict with the trustees pursuing the continuity option.
Subsection (7) provides that any regulations made under this section are subject to negative resolution.
