Police Service of Northern Ireland and Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve (Full-Time) (Severance) Regulations 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These regulations give effect to the voluntary early retirement scheme for the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced in July 2000. They apply only to those who joined the RUC before 1st July 1995.

The scheme offers enhanced terms to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions Regulations 1988 and the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Full-Time) Pensions Regulations 1994.

Regulation 3 provides that the scheme will operate until the year 2010 or for such period as the Secretary of State may determine with the consent of the Treasury, and after consulting with the Chief Constable, the Policing Board and the Police Association.

Regulation 4 provides that the normal pension regulations for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve apply subject to modifications provided by these regulations.

Regulation 5 provides that only members who joined the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve before 1st July 1995 are eligible to apply to join the scheme and Regulation 7 and the Schedule set out the benefits payable.

Regulation 6 provides that the eligibility for pensionable service enhancements will be limited to those who were contributing under Regulation 62 of the Pensions Regulations and continue to contribute until the date of leaving the Police Service.

Regulation 7 and the Schedule provide for the payment of severance lump sums, pensionable service enhancements and payments in lieu of pensions.

Regulation 8 provides that where a person joins the Police Service of Northern Ireland within 5 years of leaving under these regulations, they will be required to repay any severance lump sum payments received under the scheme. However, that will not apply to a member who joins the Police Service of Northern Ireland as a civilian or who joins a police force in Great Britain.

Regulation 9 provides a capping mechanism to ensure that a member shall not gain more in financial terms by accepting the benefits under the scheme than he would have earned in basic pay and allowances up to compulsory retirement age or the expiry of a period of extension after that age.

Regulation 10 describes how the regulation will apply to Part-Time members.

Regulations 11 and 12 set out the circumstances in which injury on duty benefits or ill health pension benefits may be reduced to take account of the severance lump sum awarded under these regulations.

Regulation 13 provides for payments in lieu of pension for members who are not eligible for short service awards.