The Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2001 © Crown Copyright 2001 Statutory Instruments printed from this website are printed under the superintendence and authority of the Controller of HMSO being the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament. The legislation contained on this web site is subject to Crown Copyright protection. It may be reproduced free of charge provided that it is reproduced accurately and that the source and copyright status of the material is made evident to users. It should be noted that the right to reproduce the text of Statutory Instruments does not extend to the Queen's Printer imprints which should be removed from any copies of the Statutory Instrument which are issued or made available to the public. This includes reproduction of the Statutory Instrument on the Internet and on intranet sites. The Royal Arms may be reproduced only where they are an integral part of the original document. The text of this Internet version of the Statutory Instrument which is published by the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament has been prepared to reflect the text as it was Made. A print version is also available and is published by The Stationery Office Limited as the The Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2001, ISBN 0 11 028961 7. The print version may be purchased by clicking here. Braille copies of this Statutory Instrument can also be purchased at the same price as the print edition by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0870 600 5522 or e-mail:customer.services@tso.co.uk. Further information about the publication of legislation on this website can be found by referring to the Frequently Asked Questions. To ensure fast access over slow connections, large documents have been segmented into "chunks". Where you see a "continue" button at the bottom of the page of text, this indicates that there is another chunk of text available.
The Secretary of State for Social Security, in exercise of powers conferred by sections 3(2), 10(3), 41(1) and (6), 124(1) and 174(2) and (3) of the Pensions Act 1995[1], and sections 1(1)(b), (3), (5) and (7), 3(1), (3)(b), (5) and (9), 8(1)[2], and 83(4)(a) and (b) and (6)(a) and (b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999[3], and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, having consulted such persons as he considered appropriate[4], hereby makes the following Regulations: Citation, commencement and interpretation 1. - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2001 and shall come into force on 5th April 2001. (2) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a numbered regulation or numbered schedule, is to the regulation or schedule bearing that number in the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000[5]. Amendment of regulation 1 2. - (1) Regulation 1 (citation, commencement and interpretation) shall be amended as follows. (2) In paragraph (2) for "and Part IV shall come into force on 8th October 2001." substitute -
(b) Part IV (except regulation 23) shall come into force on 8th October 2001.".
(3) In paragraph (3) -
(ii) where a scheme to which those Regulations apply has constituent parts for the purposes of Table 12.1 of those Regulations (umbrella schemes: application of regulations) as modified by Part 4C of those Regulations (single pricing: adaptation of regulations), each such constituent part to which that Part 4A applies,
Schedule 4 to those Regulations as modified by that Part 4C;
(b) after the definition of "reporting accountant" insert -
(4) After paragraph (7) insert -
(b) The Financial Services (Open-Ended Investment Companies) Regulations 1997 are references to those Regulations,
as in force on the date on which the Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2001 were made.".
Amendment of regulation 3
(4) After paragraph (5A) insert -
(b) direct debit; (c) standing order; (d) direct credit (other than standing order),
and (for the avoidance of doubt) for the purposes of this paragraph, those means of payment do not include payment by cash, credit card or debit card (or by any combination thereof).".
(5) Omit paragraph (11).
(b) which is carried out by a person authorised under that Act to carry on insurance business including carrying out such a contract;".
Amendment of regulation 10
(b) obtain and consider such advice accordingly.".
(4) In paragraph (5) for "For the purposes of paragraph (4)" substitute "For the purposes of this regulation".
(b) for "themselves" substitute "himself".
(6) In paragraph (7) -
(b) for "persons who may themselves give proper advice" to the end substitute -
(ii) if so retaining any investment or investment option, consider at such intervals as are determined by him in relation to that investment or investment option under paragraph (4A)(a),
whether the investment or investment option is satisfactory having regard to the matters mentioned in paragraph (3) and the principles contained in the statement under regulation 9; and
(ii) investment option he selects or retains,
is satisfactory having regard to those matters and principles.".
(7) For paragraph (8) substitute -
(b) paragraph (4A)(a) unless the determination to be made by him under that paragraph is recorded by him in writing; (c) paragraph (4A)(b) unless the advice to be obtained and considered by him under that paragraph is given or (by the giver of the advice) confirmed in writing.".
Amendment of regulation 11
(5) For paragraph (4) substitute -
(b) he is not or, in the case of a partnership, neither the partnership nor any partner or employee of the partnership is connected with or an associate of the manager, or any of the trustees, of the scheme; (c) he is eligible (but subject to paragraph (10)) under section 25 of the Companies Act 1989[11] ("the 1989 Act") for appointment as a company auditor; and (d) he is not by virtue of section 27 of the 1989 Act ineligible for appointment as company auditor of a company which is an employer in relation to the scheme.".
(6) In paragraphs (6) to (8), for "manager" in each place where it occurs substitute "trustees or manager".
(b) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute -
but for the purposes of this paragraph, such circumstances shall not include the mere fact of his being, or having become, ineligible as mentioned in paragraph (7A).".
(8) After paragraph (7) insert -
(b) anything done for the purposes of these Regulations by him acting as such while ineligible in contravention of sub-paragraph (a) shall by the trustees or manager be taken for those purposes not to have been done; (c) he shall resign (with immediate effect) by notice in writing immediately he is or becomes aware, or, as the case may be, should reasonably be or become aware, that he is or has become so ineligible; (d) he shall state in that notice -
(ii) the ground on which he is or has become so ineligible;
(e) notwithstanding sub-paragraph (c), if he is still in place when the trustees or manager are or become aware, or should reasonably be or become aware, that he is or has become so ineligible, the trustees or manager shall remove him immediately.".
(9) In paragraph (8) -
(b) for "shall appoint" to the end substitute -
(b) if earlier, as soon as is required in order not to prevent compliance with regulation 12(5) and (6).".
(10) After paragraph (8) insert -
(b) if earlier, as soon as is required in order not to prevent compliance with regulation 12(5) and (6).
(10) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(c), a person is not eligible under section 25 of the 1989 Act for appointment as a company auditor if section 34 of that Act applies to him (individuals retaining only authorisation under section 13(1) of the Companies Act 1967)[12].
Amendment of regulation 12
(b) for sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) substitute -
(ii) proper use of,
systems which and controls which ensure the proper administration of the scheme;
(ii) principal controls,
designed to ensure the proper administration of the scheme and which were in place for all or any part of the period in relation to which the declaration is made (whether put in place during or prior to that period);
(ii) that the statement made under sub-paragraph (e) is true;
(e) a statement -
(ii) that transactions for the purposes of the scheme in securities, property or other assets occur at a fair market value; (iii) that the value of members' rights has been determined in accordance with the provisions in the instruments establishing the scheme; and (iv) that adequate accounts and records have been maintained for the purposes of providing to members the statement required by regulation 18(2) of these Regulations; and
(f) a statement that the conditions mentioned in section 1(1) were fulfilled.".
(3) Omit paragraph (4).
(b) for sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute -
(ii) so far as the reporting accountant is unable to express such an opinion, explaining why he is unable to do so; and
(b) a statement containing a summary -
(ii) of the results of those tests.".
(5) In each of paragraphs (6) and (7) -
(b) omit "(4) or".
(6) After paragraph (7) insert -
(b) for the purposes of paragraphs (6) and (7), neither statement shall be regarded as obtained in accordance with paragraph (5).".
Amendment of regulation 13
(3) After paragraph (3) insert -
(b) section 159 of the 1993 Act[14] (inalienability of guaranteed minimum pension and protected rights payments); (c) sections 91 to 94 of the 1995 Act and regulations under those sections[15] (inalienability and forfeiture of occupational pensions); and (d) in the case of a pension scheme established under a trust which -
(ii) is or has been registered under section 2;
sections 91, 92 and 94 of the 1995 Act and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997[16] (inalienability and forfeiture of occupational pensions) as those sections and Regulations have effect by virtue of section 6(3) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Act and of regulation 32.".
Amendment of regulation 14
(b) after sub-paragraph (d) insert "and";
(3) In paragraph (8) omit "costs or".
(3) In paragraph (4) -
(b) for "systems and controls that are designed and used so that" substitute "systems which and controls which are of a design such that, and used such that"; and (c) in sub-paragraph (b) for "auditor or reporting accountant, as the case may be," substitute "reporting accountant and, as the case may be, to the auditor".
Amendment of regulation 17
(6) The scheme instruments of an occupational pension scheme may permit the trustees or manager to refuse to accept, in respect of any member of the scheme who is not an active member of the scheme, any contribution by or on behalf of or in respect of that member. (7) For the purposes of paragraph (6), "active member" has the meaning given by section 124 of the 1995 Act[17].".
Amendment of regulation 18
(b) where he ceases during that statement year to be a member, during the period beginning with the time at which he so ceases and ending on and including the last day of the three-month period mentioned in sub-paragraph (a),
a statement which contains the information mentioned in paragraph (5), so far as that information relates to that statement year or, in cases falling within sub-paragraph (b), to the part of that statement year beginning with the first day of that statement year (whether or not that day is earlier than the day on which he becomes a member) and ending with the time at which he so ceases.".
(3) In paragraph (3) -
(b) for "beginning on a date chosen" to the end substitute -
(ii) no earlier than 6th April 2001; and
(b) in any other case, on 6th April 2001,
and, subject to paragraph (4), each subsequent period ending on and including the anniversary of the last day of the first statement year.".
(4) After paragraph (3) insert -
(5) In paragraph (4) -
(b) after "the statement year" in each of the two places where it occurs insert "relating to that person"; (c) after "no other date has been chosen" insert "in respect of that person"; and (d) for ""statement year" shall mean" to the end substitute -
.
(6) After paragraph (4) insert -
(7) In paragraph (5) -
(b) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute -
(ii) where he ceases during the statement year to be a member, at the time immediately prior to the time at which he so ceases, being an amount which is not less than the cash equivalent of those rights at the time immediately prior to the time at which he so ceases,
as calculated and verified in a manner consistent with regulations made under section 97 of the 1993 Act (calculation of cash equivalents)[18];";
(c) in sub-paragraph (d) for "made by the member" substitute "made by or on behalf of, or made in respect of, the member (except contributions falling within sub-paragraph (e))";
(s) in relation to any reduction under any of paragraphs (2) to (4) of regulation 14 -
(ii) where such deductions were made in relation to different periods at different rates -
(bb) the period in relation to which they were made at that rate.".
(8) After paragraph (5) insert -
(b) the amount of any reduction under regulation 14(5)(c).".
(9) After paragraph (10) insert -
Amendment of regulation 22
(3) In paragraph (4) -
(b) for sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) (and the word "and" between them) substitute -
(ii) the employer continues making contributions,
as mentioned in paragraph (4A)(b);
(4) After paragraph (4) insert -
(ii) have on that date continuously been in place from prior to that date;
(b) that condition -
(ii) has on that date continuously been from prior to that date,
dependent on the employer making contributions at a rate equal to or exceeding the rate specified in respect of contributions to be made by the employee; and
(4B) A case falls within this paragraph if -
(b) the employer ceases, on or after that date, making contributions as mentioned in paragraph (4A)(b).".
(5) In each of paragraphs (5) and (6) for "the purposes of paragraphs (3) and (4)" substitute "the purposes of paragraphs (3) to (4B)".
(b) where contributions made by the employer in relation to a relevant employee (except one mentioned in paragraph (8D)) are subject to a condition which (but for the fact that it is not contained in that employee's contract (if it is not so contained)) is a condition such as is mentioned in paragraph (4), the employer can provide written evidence to show that -
(ii) where the employer ceases, on or after 8th October 2001 and in relation to that relevant employee, making contributions as mentioned in paragraph (4A)(b), the condition in paragraph (8B) is satisfied; (iii) in any other case, the condition in paragraph (8C) is satisfied.
(8A) The condition referred to in paragraph (8)(b)(i) is that contributions -
(ii) would satisfy paragraph (2)(a)(i), so far as paragraph (2)(a)(i) relates to paragraph (4), as if and on the grounds that -
(bb) the conditions in paragraph (4)(a) were satisfied; and
(b) are being made as if that relevant employee had a term in his contract that would satisfy paragraph (2)(a)(ii).
(8B) The condition referred to in paragraph (8)(b)(ii) is that contributions are being made as if the relevant employee whose case falls within paragraph (8)(b)(ii) had a term in his contract -
(ii) would satisfy paragraph (2)(a)(i), so far as paragraph (2)(a)(i) relates to paragraph (4), as if and on the ground that the condition in paragraph (4)(b) were satisfied; and
(b) that would satisfy paragraph (2)(a)(ii).
(8C) The condition referred to in paragraph (8)(b)(iii) is that contributions are being made as if the relevant employee whose case falls within paragraph (8)(b)(iii) had a term in his contract -
(ii) would satisfy paragraph (2)(a)(i), so far as paragraph (2)(a)(i) relates to paragraph (4), as if and on the grounds that -
(bb) the condition in paragraph (4)(b) were satisfied; and
(b) that would satisfy paragraph (2)(a)(ii).
(8D) The employees referred to in paragraph (8) are -
(b) any employee in respect of whom paragraph (2) is satisfied; (c) any employee -
(ii) in the case of paragraph (8)(b), in respect of whom paragraph (8)(a) is satisfied.".
(7) In paragraph (9)(b) -
(b) for "after a period" substitute ", thereby bringing to an end a period"; and (c) for "for more than 3 months" substitute "after the expiry of 3 months".
Amendment of regulation 23
(b) after sub-paragraph (f) insert -
(h) for the purposes only of consultation pursuant to section 3(2), and in relation to consultation for the purposes of any particular designation of a scheme pursuant to section 3(2), any employee who was not an employee of the employer on the date of commencement of that consultation.".
(3) After paragraph (2) insert -
Amendment of regulation 24
(b) for "the end of the pay period following that in which the request is made." substitute -
(b) where the request relates to a pay period later than the one following that in which the request is made, that later pay period.".
(3) In paragraph (2) -
(ii) the reason he is not complying with it is that it was made within 6 months of the employee requesting him to make, vary or cease such deductions and the employer is permitted by these Regulations not to comply with it in such circumstances;"; and
(b) in sub-paragraph (c) -
(ii) in sub-paragraph (ii) after "the employee may make payments," insert -
(4) After paragraph (2) insert -
(b) of contributions of a particular type, the employer need not comply with the request so far as the request relates to a contribution of that particular type.
(2B) Where the employer, on a ground mentioned in paragraph (2A), does not comply with the request, he must give notice to the employee in writing -
(b) that the reason he is not complying with the request to that extent is that -
(ii) the employer is permitted by these Regulations not to comply with the request so far as the request relates to that contribution or to a contribution of that particular type;
(c) where the trustees or manager cite to the employer the ground of refusal in regulation 17 on which they will rely to refuse that contribution or contributions of that particular type, informing him that the trustees or manager have cited that ground of refusal in relation to that contribution or to contributions of that particular type; and
(ii) the employee may make payments, (subject to the trustees or manager refusing to accept them as permitted by or under these Regulations) at a rate of his choosing, directly to the qualifying scheme.".
(5) For paragraph (3) substitute -
(ii) where that request relates to a pay period later than the one following that in which that request is made, that later pay period; and
(b) give notice to the employee in writing -
(ii) that the employee may make payments, (subject to the trustees or manager refusing to accept them as permitted by or under these Regulations) at a rate of his choosing, directly to the qualifying scheme.".
(6) After paragraph (5) insert -
(b) where that request relates to a pay period later than the one following that in which that request is made, that later pay period.
(7) In this regulation and in regulation 25 references, in relation to an employer, to an employee are references to a relevant employee of that employer where that relevant employee is a member of a qualifying scheme.".
Amendment of regulation 25
(b) in sub-paragraph (b)(i) omit "within"; (c) in sub-paragraph (c) omit "immediately"; (d) after sub-paragraph (c) omit "and"; (e) in sub-paragraph (d) -
(ii) for "the end of the pay period following that in which the request is made." substitute -
(b) where that request relates to a pay period later than the one following that in which that request is made, that later pay period."; and
(f) after sub-paragraph (d) insert -
(e) advice that -
(ii) if the instruments establishing the scheme allow it, the trustees or manager may also refuse to accept payments of less than £20; and (iii) where an employee requests an employer to make or vary deductions of the employee's contributions to a qualifying scheme from the employee's remuneration, the employer need not comply with that request so far as that request relates to any particular contribution, if the trustees or manager of the scheme inform the employer that they will refuse, in accordance with the regulation which allows them to refuse payments on the grounds referred to in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) (and on other grounds), to accept that contribution or contributions of that particular type.".
Amendment of Schedule 2
(3) In the entry relating to those Regulations in the right-hand column of the Schedule, before "paragraph 5" insert "regulations 2(1)(b) and 4 and". (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations are the second set of amendments to the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000 ("the principal Regulations"). The principal Regulations are amended to do (among other things) the following -
- to make different provision as to means of payment of contributions; (new regulations 3(5B) and 17(5)) - to include the provisions required by regulation 6 among the provisions which the trust instruments are not allowed to enable to be modified or disapplied; (amendment to regulation 4(4)) - to expand on the requirements relating to investments and investment options; and to clarify existing provisions; (amendments to regulation 10) - to clarify that a reporting accountant must be appointed for a scheme established under a trust; to impose additional requirements for eligibility for appointment as the reporting accountant; to provide for what should happen if he is or becomes ineligible; to provide that a partnership can be a reporting accountant (new regulation 11(11)); to provide that time limits for appointment of a replacement reporting accountant are to be shortened in certain cases; (new regulation 12(8) and amendments to regulation 11) - to change the required content of the trustees' or manager's annual declaration under regulation 12, and of the statements to be obtained from the reporting accountant; and to make related changes; (amendments to regulations 12 and 15) - to provide for an additional ground of refusal of contributions; (new regulation 17(6)) - to allow different statement years under regulation 18 to be chosen for different persons; to revise the existing provisions as to the start date for a statement year. All statement year start dates already chosen will be overridden by the amendments to regulation 18. The earliest start date in all cases will be 6th April 2001. In some cases, the start date will automatically be 6th April 2001, in others, a fresh choice will have to be made (within new time limits); (amendments to regulation 18) - to change and clarify what information is to be provided under regulation 18; (new regulation 18(5A) and (11) and amendments to regulation 18(5)) - in relation to the exemptions in regulation 22, to clarify how paragraphs (2) and (8) work in relation to each other; to except employees under 18 from paragraph (8); to clarify "arrangement" in paragraph (4)(a) (see new paragraph (4A)); to remove any overlap between paragraph (4)(a) and (b); to avoid contributions being regarded as not made in accordance with paragraph (3) merely because the employee makes contributions at a higher rate than the employer (the employer must make contributions at at least the rate specified in respect of contributions to be made by the employee, rather than at the actual rate at which the employee is paying); to require paragraph (2)(b) (among other things) to be satisfied for the paragraph (8) exemption to apply; to make paragraph (8) workable in cases where contributions made by the employer are subject to the condition that the employee make contributions to the same scheme at a specified rate (new paragraphs (8)(b) to (8C)); - to prescribe additional exceptions to the definition of "relevant employees"; (amendments to regulation 23) - to change and clarify provisions governing deductions of contributions from remuneration, including providing for additional grounds of non-compliance with requests as to such deductions; (amendments to regulations 24 and 25) - to ensure that there remains a time limit for appointment of a replacement reporting accountant in relation to removal, resignation or death with occur prior to the amendment of regulation 11(8) (transitional provision).
Notes: [1] 1995 c.26.back [2] Section 8(1) is cited for the meaning given to "prescribed".back [4] See section 120 of the Pensions Act 1995.back [5] S.I. 2000/1403, amended by S.I. 2001/104.back [6] Not a statutory instrument. Published by the Financial Services Authority, London, 1997. Release 199, as amended by Release 203. The regulations form part of the Financial Services Authority Rulebook, and can be obtained, together with amendments, from the Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HS. They are also available on the internet at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/rules/index-1999.html (for Release 199) and at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/rules/index-2000.html (for Release 203). They are made under sections 52, 81, 85, 86(3), 87(4) and (5), 88(10) and 90 of the Financial Services Act 1986 (c.60). As to instruments under that Act, see paragraphs 4 to 9 of Schedule 9 to that Act. Paragraph 7 of that Schedule was amended by S.I. 1996/2827.back [7] Not a statutory instrument. Published by the Financial Services Authority, London, 1997. Release 200, as amended by Releases 204 and 211. The regulations form part of the Financial Services Authority Rulebook, and can be obtained, together with amendments, from the Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HS. They are also available on the internet at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/rules/index-1999.html (for Release 200) and at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/rules/index-2000.html (for Releases 204 and 211). They are made under regulation 6 of the Open-Ended Investment Companies (Investment Companies with Variable Capital) Regulations 1996, S.I. 1996/2827 (and under Northern Ireland instrument S.R. 1997/251), to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.back [8] Paragraphs (5A) and (11) were inserted by S.I. 2001/104.back [9] Regulation 4 was amended by S.I. 2001/104.back [12] Section 13(1) was repealed by section 29 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c.9), and was replaced by section 389(2) of the Companies Act 1985 (c.6) (repealed by section 212 of, and Schedule 24 to, the Companies Act 1989). (See, in addition to section 34 of the Companies Act 1989, section 31 of that Act, and in particular section 31(2) which covers cases previously covered by section 389(2) of the Companies Act 1985.)back [13] S.I. 1996/1537, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.back [14] Section 159 was amended by section 122 of, and paragraph 41 of Schedule 3 to, the Pensions Act 1995 (c.26) which inserted subsections (4A) and (4B).back [15] See the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997, S.I. 1997/785, amended by S.I. 1999/1849. Sections 91 to 93 were amended by section 84(1) of, and paragraphs 57 to 59 of Schedule 12 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.30). Section 94 was amended by section 18 of, and paragraph 17 of Schedule 2 to, that Act.back [16] S.I. 1997/785, amended by S.I. 1999/1849.back [17] Section 124 was amended by sections 18 and 84 of, and paragraph 18 of Schedule 2 and paragraph 61 of Schedule 12 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.30), and by section 56 of, and paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 5 to, the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c.19).back [18] Section 97 was amended by section 173 of, and paragraph 4 of Schedule 6 to, the Pensions Act 1995 (c.26) and by section 56 of, and paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 5 to, the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c.19).back [19] Section 124 was amended by sections 18 and 84 of, and paragraph 18 of Schedule 2 and paragraph 61 of Schedule 12 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.30), and by section 56 of, and paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 5 to, the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c.19).back [20] S.I. 1996/1975, amended by S.I.'s 1997/786, 1997/3038 and 2000/833.back
ISBN 0 11 028961 7
|
|
| ||
| We welcome your comments on this site | © Crown copyright 2001 | Prepared 15 March 2001 |