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Replacement of heading to Part G

22.  For the heading to Part G substitute–

  • SURVIVING PARTNER PENSIONS.

Amendment of regulation G1

23.  After regulation G1(1) (widow’s pension) insert–

(1A) Paragraphs (2) to (7) apply if a member’s pensionable employment ceases before 1st April 2008..

Amendment of regulation G2

24.—(1) Regulation G2 (widow’s pension when member dies in pensionable employment) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1) for “70” substitute “75”.

(3) After paragraph (3) insert–

(3A) Paragraphs (3B) to (5) apply if a member dies on or after 1st April 2008.

(3B) The widow’s pension for the first 6 months after the member’s death will be equal to the rate of the member’s pensionable pay when he died if that amount is greater than the amount of widow’s pension that would otherwise be payable under these Regulations.

(3C) Except while the widow’s pension is payable at the rate mentioned in paragraph (3B), if the member dies with 2 years or more qualifying service, the widow’s pension will be equal to one-half of the pension to which the member would have been entitled if, on the date of death, the member had become entitled to an upper tier pension under regulation E2A (ill health pension on early retirement)..

(4) In paragraphs (4) and (5), after “paragraph (2)” insert “or (3B)”.

(5) After paragraph (7) insert–

(8) The widow’s pension payable on a member’s death if, on the day the member died, the member is–

(a) under the age of 75 if not a special class officer or under the age of 70 if a special class officer;

(b) in NHS employment;

(c) no longer required to pay contributions on or after 2nd April 2008 pursuant to regulation D1(3) or (4) (contributions by members); and

(d) except where regulation R4(6) (members doing more than one job) applies, not in receipt of a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5,

will be as described in paragraphs (3B) and (3C), but with the modifications set out in paragraph (9).

(9) The modifications referred to in paragraph (8) are–

(a) in paragraph (3B), for “member’s pensionable pay when he died” substitute “member’s final year’s pensionable pay”; and

(b) in paragraph (3C), for “ on the date of death” substitute “on the member’s last day of pensionable employment”..

Amendment of regulation G3

25.  After regulation G3(4) (widow’s pension when member dies after pension becomes payable) insert–

(5) If a member who was in receipt of a substitute pension under regulation E2C (further employment after a benefit is paid under regulation E2A) dies before the end of the protection period that applies to him under regulation E2C(6)(a) or (b), the member’s pension referred to in paragraph (2) means that member’s original upper tier pension.

(6) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (4), no account will be taken of any reduction to the member’s pension under regulation E11 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum)..

Amendment of regulation G4

26.  For regulation G4(2) (widow’s pension when member dies with preserved pension) substitute–

(2) If a member leaves pensionable employment before 1st April 2008 and dies within 12 months after leaving, the widow’s pension will be equal to one-half of the pension that would have been payable to the member under the scheme if the member had retired through ill health with a pension under regulation E2 (early retirement pension (ill health) on the day he left pensionable employment.

(2A) If a member leaves pensionable employment on or after 1st April 2008 and dies within 12 months after leaving, the widow’s pension will be equal to one half of the pension that would have been payable to the member under the scheme if the member had retired through ill health with an upper tier pension under regulation E2A (ill health pension on early retirement) on the day he left pensionable employment..

Amendment of regulation G7

27.  For regulation G7(4) (widower’s pension) substitute–

(4) If regulation G2(3), G2(3C), G4(2) or G(4)(2A) applies to the calculation of the widower’s pension on a member’s death in pensionable employment or with a preserved pension–

(a) the whole of the member’s pensionable service will be taken into account when calculating whether and (if so) to what extent there would have been an increase, by virtue of regulation E2(3) (early retirement pension (ill health) or E2A(4) (ill health pension or early retirement), in the pensionable service on which the member’s pension under regulation E2 or E2A would have been based; and

(b) the whole period (if any) by which the member’s pension would have been increased will be treated as pensionable service after 5th April 1988..

Amendment of regulation G9

28.—(1) Regulation G9 (increased widower’s pension) is amended as follows.

(2) After paragraph (3) insert–

(4) If a female member who has made an election under this regulation–

(a) is in pensionable employment on 1st April 2008, or returns to such employment after that date; and

(b) dies without leaving a widower but leaving a surviving civil partner or, as the case may be, a surviving nominated partner,

the widower’s pension described in paragraph (1) shall be paid to that surviving partner..

Amendment of regulation G10

29.  For regulation G10(4) (surviving civil partner’s pension) substitute–

(4) If regulation G2(3), G2(3C), G4(2) or G4(2A) applies to the calculation of the surviving civil partner’s pension on a member’s death in pensionable employment or with a preserved pension–

(a) the whole of the member’s pensionable service will be taken into account when calculating whether and (if so) to what extent there would have been an increase, by virtue of regulation E2(3) or E2A(4), in the pensionable service on which the member’s pension under regulation E2 or E2A would have been based; and

(b) the whole period (if any) by which the member’s pension would have been increased will be treated as pensionable service after 5th April 1988..

Amendment of regulation G11

30.  In regulation G11(6) (dependent surviving civil partner’s pension), after “regulation E2(10)” insert “, regulation E2A(10)”.

Amendment of regulation G13

31.—(1) Regulation G13 (increased surviving civil partner’s pension) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (3), after “regulation E2(10)” insert “, regulation E2A(10)”.

(3) After paragraph (5) insert–

(6) If a member who has made an election under this regulation–

(a) is in pensionable employment on 1st April 2008, or returns to such employment after that date; and

(b) dies without leaving a civil partner but leaving a surviving widower or, as the case may be, a surviving nominated partner,

the surviving civil partner’s pension described in paragraph (1) shall be paid to that surviving widower, or as the case may be, that surviving nominated partner..

Insertion of new regulations G14 to G17

32.  After regulation G13 insert–

Surviving nominated partner’s pension

G14.—(1) A member who has pensionable service on or after 1st April 2008 may, by giving notice in writing to the Scottish Ministers, nominate a person (“the nominated partner”) to receive a surviving nominated partner pension on his death and such a nomination shall be effective from the date the Scottish Ministers accept it.

(2) The Scottish Ministers must accept a member’s nomination if–

(a) the member and the nominated partner have jointly made and signed a declaration in the form required by the Scottish Ministers that remains effective at the member’s death; and

(b) the nominated partner satisfies the Scottish Ministers that for a continuous period of at least two years ending with the member’s death–

(i) the member and the nominated partner were living together as if they were husband and wife or civil partners;

(ii) the member and the nominated partner were not prevented from marrying or entering into a civil partnership;

(iii) the member and the nominated partner were financially interdependent or the nominated partner was financially dependent on the member; and

(iv) neither the member nor the nominated partner was living with a third person as if they were husband and wife or as if they were civil partners.

(3) A declaration under paragraph (2)(a) ceases to have effect if–

(a) it is revoked by the member or the nominated partner by a signed notice in writing given to the Scottish Ministers in the required form (if any);

(b) the member makes a later declaration under paragraph (2)(a); or

(c) the member or the nominated partner marries or enters into a civil partnership.

(4) If the Scottish Ministers have accepted a member’s nomination and the member subsequently dies before his nominated partner in the circumstances described in any of regulations G2 to G6, the nominated partner is entitled to a pension as described in paragraphs (6) to (10) of this regulation.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), regulations G1 to G6 apply to the calculation and payment of pensions for nominated partners in the same manner as they apply to pensions for widows and regulation G6(1) shall be read as if, for the words “where the member and his wife were not married to each other” it said “where a nomination for a surviving partner pension was not effective”.

(6) When calculating a nominated partner’s pension, any part of the member’s benefit that is based on pensionable service before 6th April 1988 will, subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), be disregarded.

(7) If regulation G2(3) or (3C) or regulation G4(2) or (2A) apply to the calculation of the nominated partner’s pension on a member’s death in pensionable employment or with a preserved pension–

(a) the whole of the member’s pensionable service will be taken into account when calculating whether and (if so) to what extent there would have been an increase, by virtue of regulation E2(3) or E2A(4) in the pensionable service on which the member’s pension under regulation E2 or E2A would have been based; and

(b) the whole period (if any) by which the member’s pension would have been increased will be treated as pensionable service after 5th April 1988.

(8) If regulation G3(2) applies to the calculation of the nominated partner’s pension, so that the nominated partner’s pension is equal to the member’s pension for a limited period, the nominated partner’s pension for that limited period will be equal to the whole of the member’s pension (including any part of the member’s pension that is based on pensionable service before 6th April 1988).

(9) Any reference in these Regulations to regulations G1 to G6 means, in relation to benefits in respect of a member who has nominated a partner, those regulations as applicable to the member’s nominated partner (if any).

Dependent surviving nominated partner’s pension

G15.—(1) A member may, by giving notice in writing to the Scottish Ministers before leaving pensionable employment, apply for his nominated partner to receive a dependent surviving nominated partner’s pension on the member’s death.

(2) The Scottish Ministers must accept a member’s application only if they are satisfied that the member’s nominated partner is–

(a) permanently incapable of earning a living because of physical or mental infirmity; and

(b) wholly or mainly dependent on the member.

(3) If the Scottish Ministers have accepted a member’s application and the member subsequently dies before his nominated partner, the dependent surviving nominated partner is entitled to a dependent surviving nominated partner’s pension.

(4) The dependent surviving nominated partner’s pension is to be calculated in the same way as a widow’s pension under regulations G1 to G6 but based only on the member’s pensionable service before 6th April 1988.

(5) If the Scottish Ministers have accepted a member’s application for a dependent surviving nominated partner’s pension and the member’s pensionable service started before 6th April 1988 any lump sum payable to the member will be reduced by an amount equal to 1.4 times the yearly rate of the part of the member’s pension that is based on pensionable service before 6th April 1988 (except to the extent that any reduction has been off-set under regulation Q2).

(6) If regulation E2(10), E2A(10) or E6(8) applies to a member who has a nominated partner, any reference in those provisions to a lump sum payable on retirement means, in relation to a member to whom paragraph (5) of this regulation refers, a lump sum that is not reduced as described in that paragraph.

Purchase of surviving partner’s pension in respect of service before 6th April 1988

G16.—(1) Subject to this regulation, an officer in respect of whom a pension has not already become payable under regulation E2 or E2A may, in respect of the whole or any part of his contributing service before 6th April 1988, elect to purchase an increase in the amount of any survivor’s pension that becomes payable under the scheme.

(2) The purchase of an increase under paragraph (1) may be made only in respect of complete years of service, unless the officer wishes to purchase an increase in respect of all of his service before 6th April 1988, in which case the whole of the requisite period may be purchased whether or not it constitutes a multiple of complete years of service.

(3) An election under paragraph (1)–

(a) must be made within the period of 15 months beginning with the date on which these Regulations come into force;

(b) must be made by notice in writing, given to the Scottish Ministers;

(c) must specify the period in respect of which the election is made;

(d) must be accompanied by a declaration in writing signed by the officer that he is of sound health for his age; and

(e) is irrevocable.

(4) Each figure in tables 2 and 4 of Schedule 1 is multiplied by a factor of 0.7 in respect of the cost of providing the increase provided under paragraph (1).

(5) In this regulation “survivor’s pension” means a pension that becomes payable by virtue of–

(a) regulation G7;

(b) regulation G10; or

(c) regulation G14.

Increased surviving partner’s pension

G17.—(1) If a member elects on or before the date determined in accordance with regulation G16(3)(a) to buy an increased surviving partner’s pension under regulation G16(1), any survivor’s pension that becomes payable in respect of that member will be based on pensionable service after 5th April 1988 plus any period of pensionable service before that date that the member elected to buy for this purpose under regulation G16(1).

(2) Any survivor’s pension payable in respect of the member shall be paid to (as the case may be) the member’s surviving widower, civil partner or nominated partner regardless of whether that pension is payable by virtue of regulation G7, regulation G10 or regulation G14.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), any retirement lump sum payable to a member under regulation E7, in respect of any period of pensionable service that the member elected to buy as described in paragraph (1), will be reduced by 1.4 times the yearly rate of the member’s pension plus the relevant daily proportion of that rate for each additional day (except to the extent that any lump sum reduction has been off-set under regulation Q2).

(4) If regulation E2(10), E2A(10) or E6(8) applies to a member to whom this regulation refers, any reference in those regulations to a lump sum payable on retirement must be taken to mean a lump sum that is not reduced as described in paragraph (2) of this regulation.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6) if, by virtue of an election under regulation G16(1), the amount of the retirement lump sum would fall to be reduced by 1.4 times the yearly rate of a member’s pension plus the relevant daily proportion of that rate for each additional day, he may make an election to purchase an unreduced lump sum under regulation Q2 (right to buy an unreduced retirement lump sum) provided that the election is made no later than the date determined in accordance with regulation G16(3)(a).

(6) A member who has purchased additional service in accordance with regulation Q1 (right to buy additional service) by way of a payment under regulation Q6 (electing to buy additional service or unreduced retirement lump sum) is not entitled to make an election under paragraph (4) in respect of the purchase of an unreduced lump sum..

Amendment of regulation H1

33.—(1) Regulation H1 (dependent child) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1)–

(a) in sub-paragraph (c)(15), for “or civil partner” substitute “, civil partner or nominated partner”; and

(b) after sub-paragraph (d) insert–

  • ; or

    (e)

    a child of a member’s nominated partner from a nominated partnership formed before the date on which the member leaves pensionable employment,.

(3) After paragraph (2) insert–

(2A) A child is a dependent child of a person whose pensionable employment ceases on or after 1st April 2008 for so long as he is–

(a) under age 23; or

(b) aged 23 or over and incapable of earning a living because of permanent physical or mental infirmity from which he was suffering at the time the member died..

(4) In paragraph (3)(16), for “A child is a dependent child” substitute “Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), a child is a dependent child of a person whose pensionable employment ceases on or before 31st March 2008”.

Amendment of regulation H3

34.—(1) Regulation H3 (child allowance when member dies in pensionable employment) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (2) after “paragraph (3)” insert “if the member dies before 1st April 2008”.

(3) After paragraph (2) insert–

(2A) If the member dies on or after 1st April 2008 the allowance will be calculated as described in whichever of paragraphs (4A) to (4D) apply–

(a) as a proportion of the pension that would have been payable to the member under the scheme if the member retired through ill health and had qualified for an upper tier pension under regulation E2A on the day he died; or

(b) if greater, the amount that the member’s pension would have been if it had been based on 10 years pensionable service..

(4) After paragraph (4) insert–

(4A) Subject to paragraphs (4B) to (4E), if the member dies leaving a dependent child and there is a surviving parent (or spouse, civil partner or nominated partner of a parent), the allowance will be equal to–

(a) one-quarter of the pension described in paragraph (2A) if there is only one dependent child; and

(b) one-half if there are two or more.

(4B) If a widow's, widower's, surviving civil partner’s or nominated partner’s pension is payable at the rate mentioned in regulation G2(3B) (widow’s pension when member dies in pensionable employment), the allowance payable in respect of any dependent child who is dependent on that widow, widower, surviving civil partner or surviving nominated partner will be payable from the day following the member’s death.

(4C) If a widow's, widower's, surviving civil partner’s or nominated partner’s pension is payable at the rate mentioned in regulation G2(3B) but there is a dependent child who is not dependent on that widow, widower, surviving civil partner or surviving nominated partner, the allowance in respect of that child for the first three months after the member’s death will be equal to the rate of member’s pensionable pay when the member died.

(4D) If a member dies leaving a dependent child and there is no surviving parent (or spouse, civil partner or nominated partner of a parent), the allowance will be equal to–

(a) one-third of the pension described in paragraph (2A) if there is only one dependent child; and

(b) two-thirds if there are two or more,

except that the allowance for the first six months after the member’s death will be equal to the rate of the member’s pensionable pay when the member died.

(4E) If the member dies leaving a dependent child and there is a surviving parent (or spouse, civil partner or nominated partner of a parent) but there is no entitlement to a widow's, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension calculated under regulation G2, the allowance will be paid at the rates described in paragraph (4D)..

(5) For paragraph (9) after “pay contributions”, insert “on or before 1st April 2008” and for “paragraphs (2) to (8)”, substitute “paragraph (2)”.

(6) After paragraph (10) insert–

(11) The child allowance payable on a member’s death if, on the day the member died, the member is–

(a) under the age of 75 if not a special class officer or under the age of 70 if a special class officer;

(b) in NHS employment;

(c) no longer required to pay contributions on or after 2nd April 2008 pursuant to regulation D1(3) or (4) (contributions by members); and

(d) except where regulation R4(6) (members doing more than one job) applies, not in receipt of a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5,

will be as described in paragraph (2A) but with the modifications set out in paragraph (12).

(12) The modifications referred to in paragraph (11) are–

(a) in paragraph (2A)(a) for “on the day he died” substitute “on the member’s last day of pensionable employment”; and

(b) in paragraphs (4C) and (4D) for “member’s pensionable pay when he died” substitute “member’s final year’s pensionable pay”..

Amendment of regulation H4

35.—(1) Regulation H4 (child allowance when member dies after pension becomes payable) is amended as follows.

(2) For paragraph (2) substitute–

(2) Subject to paragraphs (2A) and (8), the allowance will be calculated, as described in whichever of paragraphs (3) or (4) apply, as a proportion of the amount of the member’s pension or, if greater, the amount that the member’s pension would have been if it had been based on 10 years pensionable service.

(2A) If the member’s pensionable employment ceased on or before 31st March 2008, the allowance will be calculated in whichever of paragraphs (3) or (4) apply, as a proportion of the amount of the member’s pension or, if greater, the amount that the member’s pension would have been if it had been based on the shorter of–

(a) 10 years pensionable service; and

(b) the pensionable service the member could have completed if he had stayed in pensionable employment until age 65..

(3) In paragraph (3), for “or civil partner” substitute “, civil partner or nominated partner”.

(4) After paragraph (8) insert–

(9) If a member who was in receipt of a substitute pension under regulation E2C dies before the end of the protection period that applies to him under regulation E2C(6)(a) or (b), the member’s pension referred to in paragraph (2) means that member’s original upper tier pension.

(10) For the purpose of paragraphs (2) and (7), no account will be taken of any reduction to the member’s pension under regulation E11 (general option to exchange part of pension for lump sum)..

Amendment of regulation H5

36.—(1) Regulation H5 (child allowance when member dies with preserved pension) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (2)–

(a) for “If the member dies” substitute “Subject to paragraph (2A), if the member dies”;

(b) for “H3(2)” substitute “H3(2A)”; and

(c) omit “and, where applicable, H3(3)”.

(3) After paragraph (2) insert–

(2A) Subject to paragraph (2B) if the member’s pensionable employment ceased on or before 31st March 2008 the allowance will be calculated, as described in whichever of paragraph (4), (5) or (6) apply, as a proportion of the pension that would have been payable to the member under the scheme if the member retired through ill health with a pension under regulation E2 on the day he died.

(2B) If the member has less than 5 years' pensionable service, the allowance will be calculated as if the pension described in paragraph (2A) were based on the shorter of–

(a) 10 years' pensionable service; and

(b) the pensionable service the member could have completed if he had stayed in pensionable employment until age 65..

(4) For paragraph (3) substitute–

(3) Subject to paragraph (3A), if the member dies 12 months or more after leaving pensionable employment, the allowance will be calculated as described in whichever of paragraph (4), (5) or (6) apply, as a proportion of the amount of the member’s preserved pension or, if greater, the amount that the preserved pension would have been if it had been based on 10 years' pensionable service.

(3A) If the member’s pensionable employment ceased on or before 31st March 2008, the allowance will be calculated as described in whichever of paragraph (4), (5) or (6) apply, as a proportion of the amount of the member’s preserved pension or, if greater, the amount of that the preserved pension would have been if it has been based on the shorter of–

(a) 10 years' pensionable service; and

(b) the pensionable service the member could have completed if he had stayed in pensionable employment until age 65..

(5) In paragraphs (4) and (5)–

(a) for “or surviving civil partner” substitute “, surviving civil partner or surviving nominated partner”; and

(b) for “paragraph (2) or (3)” substitute “paragraphs (2) to (3A)”.

(6) In paragraph (6)–

(a) for “or surviving civil partner” substitute “, surviving civil partner or nominated partner”; and

(b) for “or surviving civil partner's” substitute “, surviving civil partner’s or surviving nominated partner's”.

Amendment of regulation H7

37.—(1) In the heading to regulation H7 (increase of child allowance when child not dependent on surviving parent or spouse or civil partner of the parent), for “or civil partner” substitute “, civil partner or nominated partner”.

(2) In regulation H7, for “or civil partner” wherever occurring, substitute “, civil partner or nominated partner”.

Amendment of regulation J1

38.  For regulation J1(4)(b) (allocation of pension by member for benefit of dependent) substitute–

(b) if in pensionable employment–

(i) in the case of a member who is not a special class officer, at any time after completing 45 years pensionable service; or

(ii) in the case of a member who is a special class officer, at any time after reaching age 55 and completing 40 years pensionable service; or.

Replacement of regulation K1

39.  For regulation K1 (contracting-out conditions to be overriding) substitute–

Contracting-out conditions to be overriding

K1.—(1) The scheme will be administered in conformity with the contracting-out conditions and, with the exception of the circumstances specified in paragraph (2), regulations K2 to K7 override any inconsistent provisions of these Regulations.

(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are–

(a) where a trivial pension is commuted in accordance with regulation T7 (commutation of trivial pensions);

(b) where a pension is commuted in accordance with regulations E2(10) (early retirement pension (ill health)), E2A(10) (ill health pension on early retirement) or E6(5) (preserved pension); or

(c) where a pension is forfeited for the reasons specified in regulation T6(1)(b) or (c) (loss of rights to benefits).

(3) In this Part–

(a) “contracting-out conditions” means the conditions specified in sections 9(2A) and (2B) (requirements for certification of schemes) of the 1993 Act;

(b) “guaranteed minimum” means the guaranteed minimum as defined in sections 13 to 17 of the 1993 Act;

(c) “guaranteed minimum pension” is a pension calculated in accordance with the guaranteed minimum requirements; and

(d) “protected rights” has the same meaning as in the 1993 Act..

Amendment of regulation K2

40.—(1) Regulation K2 (guaranteed minimum pensions) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1), for “section 14 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (earner’s guaranteed minimum)” substitute “section 13 (minimum pensions for earners) of the 1993 Act”.

(3) In paragraphs (4), (4A) and (5), for “tax year 1988-89 and subsequent tax years” substitute “tax years 1988 89 to 1996 97 inclusive”.

(4) For paragraph (6) substitute–

(6) A member who on leaving pensionable employment–

(a) becomes entitled to a refund of contributions under regulation E9 (early leavers' entitlement to refund of contributions); or

(b) exercises a right to require a transfer or buy-out in accordance with regulation M2 (exercising a right to transfer or buy-out),

but, in either case, remains (as described in regulation E9(2)) entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension or section 9(2B) rights, is entitled to the benefits specified in paragraphs (6A) and (6B).

(6A) The benefits are–

(a) a pension payable from the date on which he reaches state pension age at a weekly rate equal to his guaranteed minimum (if any); and

(b) a pension and lump sum from the date he reaches normal benefit age in respect of his section 9(2B) rights.

(6B) On the death of a member to whom paragraph (6) applies, no benefit will be payable except for a widow's, widower's, surviving civil partner’s or nominated partner’s pension equal to the aggregate of–

(a) that described in paragraph (3) or, as the case may be, paragraph (4); and

(b) half the member’s pension in respect of section 9(2B) rights..

Amendment of regulation L1

41.  In regulation L1(3)(b) (treatment of pensionable service of early leavers returning to pensionable employment), after “(early retirement pension on grounds of ill health)” insert “or E2A (ill health pension on early retirement)”.

Replacement of regulations M1 to M6

42.  For regulations M1 to M6 substitute–

Member’s right to transfer or buy-out

M1.—(1) A member who leaves pensionable employment with a preserved pension has the right to require the Scottish Ministers to transfer or buy-out his rights under the scheme as described in this regulation.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, the member may require the Scottish Ministers to use the cash equivalent of his rights under the scheme–

(a) to purchase one or more buy-out policies from one or more insurance companies chosen by the member;

(b) to acquire rights under–

(i) another occupational pension scheme; or

(ii) a personal pension scheme,

that satisfies the requirements of Chapter IV of Part IV of the 1993 Act;

(c) to acquire rights under an arrangement that is a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme for the purposes of section 169(2) (recognised transfers)(17) of the 2004 Act; or

(d) in any combination of the ways described in sub paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).

(3) The member must exercise his right under paragraph (1) in relation to each and every portion of the cash equivalent unless paragraph (4) applies.

(4) The benefits attributable to–

(a) the member’s accrued rights to a guaranteed minimum pension; or

(b) the member’s accrued rights attributable to service in contracted-out employment on or after 6th April 1997,

may be excluded from the cash equivalent transfer value payment if section 96(2) (further provisions concerning exercise of option under s.95) of the 1993 Act applies (trustees or managers of certain receiving schemes or arrangements able and willing to accept a transfer payment only in respect of the member’s other rights).

(5) A member who requires the cash equivalent to be used to acquire rights under another occupational pension scheme in accordance with paragraph (2) may exercise the right–

(a) at any time before reaching age 60; or

(b) at a later time if the member exercises the right to require a transfer on the transfer of his employment to a new employer as a result of a transfer of an undertaking to that employer.

(6) A member may require the Scottish Ministers to use the cash equivalent of the member’s rights under the scheme to purchase one or more buy-out policies or to acquire rights under a personal pension scheme only–

(a) if the member leaves pensionable employment on or after 1st January 1986; and

(b) if those rights are to be transferred to a personal pension scheme, in relation to any period of service of 2 years or more falling before 6th April 1988, only if a period of not less than one month has elapsed between the date the member left NHS employment and the date of commencement of any further NHS employment.

(7) Paragraph (8) applies where a member–

(a) leaves pensionable employment by opting-out;

(b) on so doing becomes entitled to a preserved pension under regulation E6 (preserved pension); and

(c) has at least 2 years' service before 6th April 1988.

(8) In relation to the member’s rights–

(a) the member’s right to require a transfer or buy-out will be limited to the cash equivalent of the part of the member’s rights that is attributable to service after 5 April 1988; and

(b) the member will acquire a right to the cash equivalent of the member’s remaining rights only if the member actually leaves NHS employment before reaching age 60.

(9) A member who leaves pensionable employment before reaching age 60, without becoming entitled to a pension under any of regulations E1 to E5 or a preserved pension under regulation E6 will be treated, for the purposes of regulations M1 to M5, as if he had left pensionable employment with a preserved pension, except that–

(a) a member who requires the cash equivalent to be used to buy one or more buy-out policies must exercise the right to buy-out within 12 months after leaving pensionable employment; and

(b) a member who requires the cash equivalent to be used to acquire rights under another occupational pension scheme, a personal pension scheme or a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme must join that other scheme within 12 months after leaving pensionable employment and exercise the right to transfer within 12 months after joining that other scheme.

Exercising a right to a transfer or a buy out

M2.—(1) A member who wishes to exercise his right to a transfer or a buy out must apply in writing to the Scottish Ministers for a statement of the amount of the cash equivalent of the member’s accrued benefits under the scheme at the guarantee date (“statement of entitlement”).

(2) In these Regulations, “the guarantee date” means any date that–

(a) falls within the required period;

(b) is chosen by the Scottish Ministers;

(c) is specified in the statement of entitlement; and

(d) is within the period of 10 days ending with the date on which the member is provided with the statement of entitlement.

(3) In counting the period of 10 days referred to in paragraph (2)(d), Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday are excluded.

(4) In paragraph (2) “the required period” means–

(a) the period of 3 months beginning with the date of the member’s application for a statement of entitlement; or

(b) such longer period beginning with that date (but not exceeding six months) as may reasonably be required if, for reasons beyond the control of the Scottish Ministers, the requisite information cannot be obtained to calculate the amount of the cash equivalent.

(5) The member may withdraw the application for a statement of entitlement by notice in writing at any time before the statement is provided.

Amount of member’s cash equivalent

M3.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, the member’s guaranteed cash equivalent will be equal to the capitalised value of all the member’s accrued rights to benefits under the scheme and any associated rights under Part I of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971(18), calculated and verified as required by Chapter IV of Part IV of the 1993 Act.

(2) Except in the case of a transfer payment accepted under regulation N3A (transfers in respect of members to whom regulation B6 applies who elect to rejoin the scheme), a member’s cash equivalent will be at least equal to the amount of any transfer payments accepted in respect of the member under regulation N1(4) (member’s right to transfer accrued rights to benefits to the scheme), plus the amount of the member’s contributions to the scheme.

(3) If a member’s cash equivalent is used to acquire rights under another occupational pension scheme, any part of the cash equivalent that relates to service before 29th January 1988 will be calculated as described in the 1980 Regulations as applicable immediately before that date, if this would be more favourable to the member.

(15)

Sub-paragraph (c) was amended by S.S.I. 2005/544. Back [15]

(16)

Paragraph (3) was amended by S.S.I. 2006/307. Back [16]

(17)

To which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations. Back [17]

(18)

1971 c. 56. Back [18]