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The Department for Social Development, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 3(2), 10(2)(b) and (3), 41(1) and (6), 50(1), (2)(a), (3) and (7) and 166(1) to (3) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995[1] and Articles 3(1)(b), (3), (5) and (7), 5(1), (3)(b), (5) and (9)[2] and 73(4) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999[3], and now vested in it[4], and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, 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 (Northern Ireland) 2001 and shall come into operation on 5th April 2001. (2) In these Regulations any reference to a numbered regulation or numbered Schedule is a reference to the regulation or Schedule bearing that number in the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000[5]. Amendment of regulation 1 2. - (1) Regulation 1 (citation, commencement and interpretation) shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4). (2) In paragraph (2) for "and Part IV shall come into operation on 8th October 2001" there shall be substituted -
(b) Part IV (except regulation 23) shall come into operation 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" there shall be inserted the following definition -
(4) After paragraph (7) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(b) the Financial Services (Open-Ended Investment Companies) Regulations 1997 are references to those Regulations,
as in force on 15th March 2001.".
Amendment of regulation 3
(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) Paragraph (11)[11] shall be omitted.
(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)" there shall be substituted "For the purposes of this regulation".
(b) for the words "persons who may themselves give proper advice" to the end there shall be substituted -
(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) there shall be substituted the following paragraph -
(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) there shall be substituted the following paragraph -
(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 under Article 28 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (eligibility for appointment)[14] ("the 1990 Order") for appointment as a company auditor, and (d) he is not by virtue of Article 30 of the 1990 Order (ineligibility on ground of lack of independence) 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 there shall be substituted "trustees or manager".
(b) for sub-paragraph (ii) there shall be substituted the following -
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) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(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 the words "shall appoint" to the end there shall be substituted -
(a) within 3 months of the date of that removal, resignation or death, or
(10) After paragraph (8) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs -
(b) if earlier, as soon as is required in order not to prevent compliance with regulation 12(5) and (6).
(10) In this regulation references to a person are references to an individual, a body corporate or a partnership.".
Amendment of regulation 12
(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), and
(f) a statement that the conditions mentioned in Article 3(1) were fulfilled.".
(3) Paragraph (4) shall be omitted.
(b) for sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraphs -
(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) the words "(4) or" shall be omitted.
(6) After paragraph (7) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(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) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(b) section 155[16] (inalienability of guaranteed minimum pension and protected rights payments); (c) Articles 89 to 92 of the 1995 Order[17] and regulations under those Articles (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 Article 4,
Articles 89, 90 and 92 of the 1995 Order and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997[18] (inalienability and forfeiture of occupational pensions) as those Articles and Regulations have effect by virtue of Article 8(3) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Order and of regulation 32.".
Amendment of regulation 14
(b) after sub-paragraph (d) the word "and" shall be inserted; (c) after sub-paragraph (e) the word "and" shall be omitted, and (d) sub-paragraph (f) shall be omitted.
Amendment of regulation 15
(b) for "systems and controls that are designed and used so that" there shall be substituted "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," there shall be substituted "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 Article 121 of the 1995 Order.".
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 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 the words "beginning on a date chosen" to the end there shall be substituted -
(a) in the case of a person who becomes a member after 6th April 2001, on a date chosen, in respect of that person, by the trustees or manager which falls- -
(ii) no earlier than 6th April 2001, and
(b) in any other case, on 6th April 2001,
(4) After paragraph (3) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(5) In paragraph (4) -
(b) after "the statement year" in both places where it occurs there shall be inserted "relating to that person"; (c) after "no other date has been chosen" there shall be inserted "in respect of that person", and (d) for the words ""statement year" shall mean" to the end there shall be substituted the following -
(6) After paragraph (4) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(7) In paragraph (5) -
(b) for sub-paragraph (b) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph -
(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 93 (calculation of cash equivalents)[19];";
(c) in sub-paragraph (d) for "made by the member" there shall be substituted "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) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
(b) the amount of any reduction under regulation 14(5)(c).".
(9) In the second consecutively shown paragraph (9) for "(9) For the purposes of" there shall be substituted "(10) For the purposes of".
Amendment of regulation 22
(b) for sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) (and the word "and" between them) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraphs -
(ii) the employer continues making contributions,
as mentioned in paragraph (4A)(b);
(4) After paragraph (4) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs -
(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)" there shall be substituted "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 head (ii) of paragraph (8)(b) is that contributions are being made as if the relevant employee whose case falls within that head 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 head (iii) of paragraph (8)(b) is that contributions are being made as if the relevant employee whose case falls within that head 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" there shall be substituted ", thereby bringing to an end a period", and (c) for "for more than 3 months" there shall be substituted "after the expiry of 3 months".
Amendment of regulation 23
(b) after sub-paragraph (f) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraphs -
(h) for the purposes only of consultation pursuant to Article 5(2), and in relation to consultation for the purposes of any particular designation of a scheme pursuant to Article 5(2), any employee who was not an employee of the employer on the date of commencement of that consultation.".
(3) After paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph -
Amendment of regulation 24
(b) for "the end of the pay period following that in which the request is made" there shall be substituted
(a) the pay period following that in which the request is made, or (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 under these Regulations not to comply with it in such circumstances;", and
(b) in sub-paragraph (c) -
(ii) in head (ii) after "the employee may make payments," there shall be inserted "(subject to the trustees or manager refusing to accept them as permitted under these Regulations)".
(4) After paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs -
(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 under these Regulations) at a rate of his choosing, directly to the qualifying scheme.".
(5) For paragraph (3) there shall be substituted the following paragraph -
(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 under these Regulations) at a rate of his choosing, directly to the qualifying scheme.".
(6) After paragraph (5) there shall be added the following paragraphs -
(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) after sub-paragraph (c) the word "and" shall be omitted; (c) in sub-paragraph (d) -
(ii) for "the end of the pay period following that in which the request is made" there shall be substituted -
(a) the pay period following that in which that request is made, or (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
(d) after sub-paragraph (d) there shall be inserted -
(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 heads (i) and (ii) (and on other grounds), to accept that contribution or contributions of that particular type.".
Amendment of Schedule 2
(3) After the entry for "The Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996" there shall be inserted the following -
(This note is not part of the Regulations.) These Regulations are the second set of amendments to the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 ("the principal Regulations"). The principal Regulations are amended to do (among other things) the following -
As these Regulations, in so far as they are made under Part II of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to Great Britain, the requirement for consultation does not apply by virtue of Article 117(2)(e) of that Order. Notes: [1] S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22); Article 3(2) was amended by paragraph 7 of Schedule 2 to, paragraph 33 of Schedule 9 to, and Schedule 10 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11))back [2] Article 5(9) is cited because of the power conferred in the meaning of the expression "relevant employees"back [3] S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)back [4] See Article 8(b) of S.R. 1999 No. 481back [5] S.R. 2000 No. 262, amended by S.R. 2001 No. 13back [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. 1996/2827back [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 the Open-Ended Investment Companies (Investment Companies with Variable Capital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R. 1997 No. 251), to which there are amendments not relevant to these regulationsback [8] Regulation 3 was amended by S.R. 2001 No. 13back [9] Paragraph (1) was amended by S.R. 2001 No. 13back [10] Paragraph (5A) was inserted by S.R. 2001 No. 13back [11] Paragraph (11) was inserted by S.R. 2001 No. 13back [12] Regulation 4 was amended by S.R. 2001 No.13back [14] S.I. 1990/593 (N.I. 5)back [15] S.R. 1997 No. 56, to which there are amendments not relevant to these regulationsback [16] Section 155 was amended by paragraph 33 of Schedule 1 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995back [17] Article 89 was amended by paragraph 46 of Schedule 9 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)); Article 90 was amended by paragraph 47 of Schedule 9 to, that Order and Article 91 was amended by paragraph 48 of Schedule 9 to that Order. See also S.R. 1997 No. 153, amended by S.R. 1999 No. 309back [18] S.R. 1997 No. 153, amended by S.R. 1999 No. 309back [19] Section 93 was amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and paragraph 5(1) of Schedule 5 to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4 (N.I.))back [20] S.R. 1996 No. 203, amended by S.R. 1999 No. 486back [21] S.R. 1997 No. 40; relevant amending regulations are S.R. 1997 Nos. 160 and 544 and S.R. 2000 No. 107back
ISBN 0-337-02498-7
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