The Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

Repayment of contributions

Repayment of contributions

44.—(1) The contributions made by a member under this Chapter are not repayable in any circumstances except if—

(a) paragraph (2) applies, or

(b) Chapter V of Part IV of the 1993 Act (early leavers: cash transfer sums and contribution refunds) applies and the payment is made in accordance with that Chapter.

(2) This paragraph applies if—

(a) a person who is not a pensioner member ceases to be an active member and does not continue to be, or become, an active member for the purposes of Part 3 within 12 months of ceasing officer service,

(b) the person does not fall within sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of regulation 45(2) (former members entitled to a pension),

(c) paragraph (1)(b) does not apply, and

(d) the person claims repayment of contributions under this regulation by applying in writing to the Department.

(3) If paragraph (1)(b) applies, the person is entitled to be paid the amount to which the person is entitled under Chapter V of Part IV of the 1993 Act, less—

(a) such part of any contributions equivalent premium paid in respect of the person as is permitted by or under section 57 of the 1993 Act, and

(b) an amount equal to the income tax payable under section 205 of the Finance Act 2004 (short service refund lump sum charge) as a result of the repayment.

(4) If paragraph (2) applies, the person is entitled to be paid an amount equal to the sum of the contributions made by the person under this Chapter, less the amounts mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) and (b).

(5) If a repayment is made under this regulation, the member’s rights under the Scheme are extinguished unless the person or the person’s spouse or civil partner is entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension under the Scheme and a contributions equivalent payment has not been paid.

(6) A person—

(a) who is entitled to a repayment of contributions under this regulation, and

(b) whose pensionable service did not cease because the person’s employment was terminated at the person’s request,

is entitled to interest on the amount of the repayment unless the person’s pensionable service ceased because the person’s employment was terminated by reason of misconduct or inefficiency.

(7) Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9), the interest is calculated on a compound basis at the rate of 2.5% per year, with yearly rests, for the period starting on 1st April after the contributions were paid and ending with the day the member leaves pensionable service.

(8) Paragraph (7) does not apply if paragraph (1)(b) applies and the person is entitled to a greater amount of interest under Chapter V of Part IV of the 1993 Act.

(9) So far as the contributions were paid under another scheme and were included in a transfer payment to the Scheme—

(a) interest for the period before the transfer payment was made is calculated in accordance with the Scheme making the transfer payment (subject to any provision made in any statutory provision applicable to the transfer), and

(b) paragraph (7) does not apply as respects that period.