Part 1

The Pensions Regulator

Contribution notices where avoidance of employer debt

The sum specified in a section 38 contribution notice
39
1
The sum specified by the Regulator in a contribution notice under section 38 may be either the whole or a specified part of the shortfall sum in relation to the scheme.
2
Subject to subsection (3), the shortfall sum in relation to a scheme is—
a
in a case where, at the relevant time, a debt was due from the employer to the trustees or managers of the scheme under section 75 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (“the 1995 Act”) (deficiencies in the scheme assets), the amount which the Regulator estimates to be the amount of that debt at that time, and
b
in a case where, at the relevant time, no such debt was due, the amount which the Regulator estimates to be the amount of the debt under section 75 of the 1995 Act which would become due if—
i
subsection (2) of that section applied, and
ii
the time designated by the trustees or managers of the scheme for the purposes of that subsection were the relevant time.
3
Where the Regulator is satisfied that the act or failure to act falling within section 38(5) resulted—
a
in a case falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (2), in the amount of the debt which became due under section 75 of the 1995 Act being less than it would otherwise have been, or
b
in a case falling within paragraph (b) of subsection (2), in the amount of any such debt calculated for the purposes of that paragraph being less than it would otherwise have been,
the Regulator may increase the amounts calculated under subsection (2)(a) or (b) by such amount as the Regulator considers appropriate.
4
For the purposes of this section “
the relevant time
” means the end of the scheme year which ended most recently before the day on which the Regulator gives a determination notice under section 96(2)(d) in respect of an intended contribution notice under section 38.
4A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
For the purposes of this section—
a
references to a debt due under section 75 of the 1995 Act include a contingent debt under that section, and
b
references to the amount of such a debt include the amount of such a contingent debt.
S. 39 in force at 6.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/275, art. 2(7), Sch. Pt. 7
Ss. 38-56 modified (1.9.2005) by The Pensions Regulator (Financial Support Directions etc.) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2188), regs. 1, 15, 16
Pt. 1 applied in part (with modifications) (20.7.2005 for specified purposes, 1.9.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 for specified purposes) by The Financial Assistance Scheme Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1986), regs. 1(1), 4, Sch. 1
Pt. 1 applied in part (with modifications) (20.7.2005 for specified purposes, 1.9.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 for specified purposes) by The Financial Assistance Scheme Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1986), regs. 1(1), 4, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended (17.7.2008) by The Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1903), regs. 1, 5(2), 13; (10.7.2009) by The Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1851), regs. 1, 5, 18; (2.4.2010) by The Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1149), regs. 1, 5, 15)
S. 39(4) substituted (1.10.2021) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), ss. 105(2), 131(1); S.I. 2021/950, reg. 2(3)(b) (with reg. 3(1)(2))
S. 39(4A) omitted (1.10.2021) by virtue of Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), ss. 105(3), 131(1); S.I. 2021/950, reg. 2(3)(b) (with reg. 3(1)(2))