The Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 to—

• remove all references to the PPF Ombudsman levy. This is the levy for the purpose of meeting expenditure relating to the Ombudsman for the Board of the Pension Protection Fund (paragraphs (2) to (6), (8), (10) and (11));

• specify the rate at which the administration levy is payable. This is the levy for the purpose of meeting expenditure relating to the Board of the Pension Protection Fund (“the Board”). For the financial year ending with 31st March 2008, there is an increase to the basis of the calculation of the levy in the range of 47% to 49% (column 2 of the Table). The increase to the level of the minimum amount payable is in the range of 45% to 49% (column 3 of the Table). The increases are based on costs incurred in establishing the Board, the Board’s estimate of its administration costs requirement for the financial year ending with 31st March 2008 and changes in scheme membership data (paragraph (7));

• set out the circumstances of a waiver of the administration levy payable in respect of an eligible scheme. If any pension protection levy payable in respect of the scheme has been waived for a financial year, the administration levy for that year is also waived (paragraph (9)).

Regulation 3 of these Regulations makes consequential revocations.

As these Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain, the requirement to consult under Article 289(1) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 does not apply by virtue of paragraph (2)(e) of that Article.