Pension Schemes Act 2026

Prospective

110 Indexation of periodic compensation for pre-1997 service: Northern Ireland E+W+S

(1) Schedule 6 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1)) (pension compensation provisions) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).

(2) In paragraph 28—

(a) for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) Where a person is entitled to periodic compensation under any of those paragraphs, the person is entitled, on the indexation date, to an increase under this paragraph of—

(a) where sub-paragraph (2A) applies, the aggregate of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2C) and the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2E);

(b) where sub-paragraph (2B) applies, the aggregate of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2D) and the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2E);

(c) in any other case, the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2E).

(2A) This sub-paragraph applies where, immediately before the assessment date—

(a) the admissible rules of the scheme included a requirement for all or any part of so much of the annual rate of a pension in payment under the scheme as is attributable to a person’s pre-1997 service to be increased annually,

(b) that requirement did not apply only in relation to a guaranteed minimum pension provided by the scheme or for the purposes of complying with a GMP equalisation obligation, and

(c) that requirement applied in relation to pre-1997 service in respect of which the compensation is payable.

(2B) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) the scheme provided a guaranteed minimum pension that accrued during the GMP indexation period,

(b) that accrual was in relation to GMP indexed service in respect of which the compensation is payable, and

(c) sub-paragraph (2A) does not apply.

(2C) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is—

(a) the appropriate percentage of the amount of the pre-1997 underlying rate immediately before the indexation date, or

(b) where the person first became entitled to the periodic compensation during the period of 12 months ending immediately before that date, 1/12th of that amount for each full month for which the person was so entitled.

(2D) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is—

(a) the appropriate percentage of the amount of the notional pre-1997 underlying rate immediately before the indexation date, or

(b) where the person first became entitled to the periodic compensation during the period of 12 months ending immediately before that date, 1/12th of that amount for each full month for which the person was so entitled.

(2E) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is—

(a) the appropriate percentage of the amount of the post-1997 underlying rate immediately before the indexation date, or

(b) where the person first became entitled to the periodic compensation during the period of 12 months ending immediately before that date, 1/12th of that amount for each full month for which the person was so entitled.

(2F) In any case where it is unclear to the Board whether, immediately before the assessment date, the admissible rules of the scheme included a requirement of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A)(a), this paragraph has effect as if the scheme included such a requirement.

(2G) In any case where it is unclear to the Board whether, immediately before the assessment date, a requirement of the scheme of a kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A)(a) (including such a requirement included by virtue of sub-paragraph (2F)) applied in relation to particular pre-1997 service, this paragraph has effect as if the requirement applied in relation to such service.

(2H) In any case where it is unclear to the Board whether the scheme provided a guaranteed minimum pension that accrued during the GMP indexation period, this paragraph has effect as if the scheme so provided.

(2I) In any case where it is unclear to the Board whether the accrual of a guaranteed minimum pension provided by the scheme (including by virtue of sub-paragraph (2H)) was in relation to particular GMP indexed service, this paragraph has effect as if the accrual was in relation to such service.”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (3)—

(i) in the opening words for “sub-paragraph (2)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2) to (2E)”;

(ii) for both definitions of “underlying rate” substitute—

• ““notional pre-1997 underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 3 or 22, the aggregate of—

  (a)

  a prescribed percentage of so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to pre-1997 service, and

  (b)

  so much of the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph as is referable to the amount within paragraph (a) of this definition immediately before the indexation date;

• “notional pre-1997 underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 5, 8, 11 or 15, the aggregate of—

  (a)

  a prescribed percentage of so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to pre-1997 service,

  (b)

  a prescribed percentage of so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(aa) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to pre-1997 service, and

  (c)

  so much of the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph as is referable to the amounts within paragraphs (a) and (b) of this definition immediately before the indexation date;

• “post-1997 underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 3 or 22, the aggregate of—

  (a)

  so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to post-1997 service, and

  (b)

  so much of the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph as is referable to the amount within paragraph (a) of this definition immediately before the indexation date;

• “post-1997 underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 5, 8, 11 or 15, the aggregate of—

  (a)

  so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to post-1997 service,

  (b)

  so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(aa) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to post-1997 service, and

  (c)

  so much of the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph as is referable to the amounts within paragraphs (a) and (b) of this definition immediately before the indexation date;

• “pre-1997 underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 3 or 22, the aggregate of—

  (a)

  so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to pre-1997 service, and

  (b)

  so much of the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph as is referable to the amount within paragraph (a) of this definition immediately before the indexation date;

• “pre-1997 underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 5, 8, 11 or 15, the aggregate of—

  (a)

  so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to pre-1997 service,

  (b)

  so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(aa) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to pre-1997 service, and

  (c)

  so much of the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph as is referable to the amounts within paragraphs (a) and (b) of this definition immediately before the indexation date.”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (5)—

(i) in paragraph (a), for “sub-paragraph (2), each definition of “underlying rate”” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2C) to (2E), each definition of “notional pre-1997 underlying rate”, “post-1997 underlying rate” and “pre-1997 underlying rate””;

(ii) in paragraph (c), for “sub-paragraph (2), the definition of “underlying rate”” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2C) to (2E), the definition of “notional pre-1997 underlying rate”, the definition of “post-1997 underlying rate” and the definition of “pre-1997 underlying rate””;

(d) in sub-paragraph (6), before the definition of “post-1997 service” insert—

• ““GMP equalisation obligation” means any obligation under an enactment, a rule of law or the scheme rules which relates to the removal of inequalities as between men and women in respect of the provision of a guaranteed minimum pension;

• “GMP indexation period” means the period beginning with 6 April 1988 and ending with 5 April 1997;

• “GMP indexed service” means—

  (a)

  pensionable service which is within paragraph 36(4)(a) and occurs during the GMP indexation period, or

  (b)

  pensionable service which is within paragraph 36(4)(b) and meets such requirements as may be prescribed;

• “guaranteed minimum pension” has the same meaning as in the Pension Schemes Act (see section 4(2) of that Act);”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (7), for “and “pre-1997 service”” substitute “, “pre-1997 service” and “GMP indexed service””.

(3) In paragraph 29, for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) The Board may also determine the percentage that is to be—

(a) the appropriate percentage for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2C) and (2D) of paragraph 28;

(b) the appropriate percentage for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2E) of that paragraph,

(and where it does so, the definition of “appropriate percentage” in paragraph 28(3) does not apply in relation to the sub-paragraph in question).”

(4) Schedule 4 to the Pensions (No.2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (pension compensation payable on discharge of pension compensation credit) is amended in accordance with subsections (5) and (6).

(5) In paragraph 17—

(a) for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the transferee is entitled, on each indexation date, to an increase of—

(a) where sub-paragraph (2A) applies, the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2E);

(b) where sub-paragraph (2B) applies, the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2F);

(c) where sub-paragraph (2C) applies, the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2G);

(d) where sub-paragraph (2D) applies, the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (2H).

(2A) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) the transferor's PPF compensation is payable in accordance with paragraph 3, 5, 8, 11, 15 or 22 of Schedule 6 to the 2005 Order (“the relevant Schedule 6 provisions”), and

(b) immediately before the assessment date —

(i) the admissible rules of the scheme in respect of which that compensation is payable included a requirement for all or any part of so much of the annual rate of a pension in payment under the scheme as is attributable to a person’s pre-1997 service to be increased annually,

(ii) that requirement did not apply only in relation to a guaranteed minimum pension provided by the scheme or for the purposes of complying with a GMP equalisation obligation, and

(iii) that requirement applied in relation to pre-1997 service in respect of which that compensation is payable.

(2B) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) the transferor's PPF compensation is payable in accordance with the relevant Schedule 6 provisions,

(b) the scheme in respect of which that compensation is payable provided a guaranteed minimum pension that accrued during the GMP indexation period,

(c) that accrual was in relation to GMP indexed service in respect of which that compensation is payable, and

(d) sub-paragraph (2A) does not apply.

(2C) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) the transferor's PPF compensation is payable in accordance with the relevant Schedule 6 provisions, and

(b) neither sub-paragraph (2A) nor sub-paragraph (2B) applies.

(2D) This sub-paragraph applies where the transferor's PPF compensation is payable otherwise than in accordance with the relevant Schedule 6 provisions.

(2E) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is the aggregate of the appropriate percentage of the pre-1997 underlying rate and the appropriate percentage of the post-1997 underlying rate.

(2F) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is the aggregate of the appropriate percentage of the notional pre-1997 underlying rate and the appropriate percentage of the post-1997 underlying rate.

(2G) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is the appropriate percentage of the post-1997 underlying rate.

(2H) The amount mentioned in this sub-paragraph is the appropriate percentage of the general underlying rate.”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (3), for “(2)” substitute “(2E), (2F), (2G) or (2H) (as the case may be)”;

(c) after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2A) to (2C)—

(a) in any case where it is unclear to the Board whether, immediately before the assessment date, the admissible rules of the scheme included a requirement of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A)(b)(i), those sub-paragraphs have effect as if the scheme included such a requirement;

(b) in any case where it is unclear to the Board whether, immediately before the assessment date, a requirement of the scheme of a kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A)(b)(i) (including such a requirement included by virtue of paragraph (a)) applied in relation to particular pre-1997 service, those sub-paragraphs have effect as if the requirement applied in relation to such service;

(c) in any case where it is unclear to the Board whether the scheme provided a guaranteed minimum pension that accrued during the GMP indexation period, those sub-paragraphs have effect as if the scheme so provided;

(d) in any case where it is unclear to the Board whether the accrual of a guaranteed minimum pension provided by the scheme (including by virtue of paragraph (c)) was in relation to particular GMP indexed service, those sub-paragraphs have effect as if the accrual was in relation to such service.”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (4)—

(i) in the opening words, for “sub-paragraph (2)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2) to (2H)”;

(ii) for the definition of “the underlying rate” substitute—

• ““the general underlying rate”, as at an indexation date, is the aggregate of—

  (a)

  the general indexed proportion of the aggregate of the initial annual rate of compensation and (in the case of compensation payable under paragraph 6), the revaluation amount,

  (b)

  so much of any actuarial increase under paragraph 16A as relates to the amount in paragraph (a), and

  (c)

  so much of any annual increase to which the transferee is entitled under this paragraph in respect of earlier indexation dates as relates to the amounts in paragraphs (a) and (b);

• “the notional pre-1997 underlying rate”, as at an indexation date, is the aggregate of—

  (a)

  the notional pre-1997 indexed proportion of the aggregate of the initial annual rate of compensation and (in the case of compensation payable under paragraph 6), the revaluation amount,

  (b)

  so much of any actuarial increase under paragraph 16A as relates to the amount in paragraph (a), and

  (c)

  so much of any annual increase to which the transferee is entitled under this paragraph in respect of earlier indexation dates as relates to the amounts in paragraphs (a) and (b);

• “the post-1997 underlying rate”, as at an indexation date, is the aggregate of—

  (a)

  the post-1997 indexed proportion of the aggregate of the initial annual rate of compensation and (in the case of compensation payable under paragraph 6), the revaluation amount,

  (b)

  so much of any actuarial increase under paragraph 16A as relates to the amount in paragraph (a), and

  (c)

  so much of any annual increase to which the transferee is entitled under this paragraph in respect of earlier indexation dates as relates to the amounts in paragraphs (a) and (b);

• “the pre-1997 underlying rate”, as at an indexation date, is the aggregate of—

  (a)

  the pre-1997 indexed proportion of the aggregate of the initial annual rate of compensation and (in the case of compensation payable under paragraph 6), the revaluation amount,

  (b)

  so much of any actuarial increase under paragraph 16A as relates to the amount in paragraph (a), and

  (c)

  so much of any annual increase to which the transferee is entitled under this paragraph in respect of earlier indexation dates as relates to the amounts in paragraphs (a) and (b).”;

(e) omit sub-paragraphs (5) and (6);

(f) before sub-paragraph (7) insert—

“(6A) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of “the general underlying rate”, “the general indexed proportion” is such proportion as is determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

(6B) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of “the notional pre-1997 underlying rate”, “the notional pre-1997 indexed proportion” is such proportion of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph of Schedule 6 to the 2005 Order under which the transferor’s PPF compensation is payable that is attributable to pre-1997 service as may be prescribed.

(6C) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of “the post-1997 underlying rate”, “the post-1997 indexed proportion” is the proportion of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph of that Schedule under which the transferor’s PPF compensation is payable that is attributable to post-1997 service.

(6D) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of “the pre-1997 underlying rate”, “the pre-1997 indexed proportion” is the proportion of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph of that Schedule under which the transferor’s PPF compensation is payable that is attributable to pre-1997 service.”;

(g) in sub-paragraph (7), for ““the underlying rate”” substitute ““the general underlying rate”, the definition of “the notional pre-1997 underlying rate”, the definition of “the post-1997 underlying rate” and the definition of “the pre-1997 underlying rate””;

(h) for sub-paragraph (9) substitute—

“(9) In this paragraph—

• “GMP equalisation obligation” has the same meaning as in paragraph 28 of Schedule 6 to the 2005 Order (annual increase in periodic pension compensation);

• “GMP indexation period” means the period beginning with 6 April 1988 and ending with 5 April 1997;

• “guaranteed minimum pension” has the same meaning as in the Pension Schemes Act (see section 4(2) of that Act);

• “post-1997 service”, “pre-1997 service” and “GMP indexed service” have the same meaning as in paragraph 28 of Schedule 6 to the 2005 Order;

• “the assessment date” and “admissible rules”, in relation to a pension scheme, have the same meaning as in that Schedule (see paragraphs 2 and 35 of that Schedule).”

(6) In paragraph 20, in sub-paragraph (1)(b), for “for the purposes of paragraph 17(2)” substitute “—

(i) of the pre-1997 underlying rate and of the notional pre-1997 underlying rate for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2E) and (2F) of paragraph 17;

(ii) of the post-1997 underlying rate for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2E), (2F) and (2G) of that paragraph;

(iii) of the general underlying rate for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2H) of that paragraph.”

Commencement Information

I1 S. 110 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 133(9)