BAILII is celebrating 24 years of free online access to the law! Would you consider making a contribution?

No donation is too small. If every visitor before 31 December gives just £1, it will have a significant impact on BAILII's ability to continue providing free access to the law.
Thank you very much for your support!



BAILII [Home] [Databases] [World Law] [Multidatabase Search] [Help] [Feedback]

Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland


You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland >> The Teachers' Pensions etc. (Reform Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 No. 137
URL: http://www.bailii.org/nie/legis/num_reg/2007/20070137.html

[New search] [Help]



STATUTORY RULES OF NORTHERN IRELAND


2007 No. 137

EDUCATION

The Teachers' Pensions etc. (Reform Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

  Made 7th March 2007 
  Coming into operation 1st April 2007 

The Department of Education makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 11(1)[1], (2), (3), (3A)[2] and paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11 and 13 of Schedule 3 to the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972[3].

     In accordance with Article 11(5) of the Order consultation has taken place with representatives of local education authorities and of teachers and with representatives of other persons likely to be affected.

     In accordance with Article 11(1) of that Order these Regulations are made with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel[4].

Citation and commencement
     1. These Regulations may be cited as the Teachers' Pensions etc (Reform Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on 1st April 2007.

Amendments
    
2. —(1) The Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996[5] are amended in accordance with Schedule 1.

    (2) The Teachers' (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991[6] are amended in accordance with Schedule 2.

    (3) The Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998[7] are amended in accordance with Schedule 3, together with Schedule 4.

Transitional provisions and savings
     3. Schedule 5 (which contains transitional provisions and savings) has effect.

Election in respect of protected benefits.
    
4. —(1) In this regulation—

    (2) This regulation applies to a person—

    (3) A protected benefit is one which is being paid, or may become payable, under the 1996 Regulations or the 1998 Regulations to, or in respect of, a person who was employed in qualifying employment but ceased to be employed, or died, before 1st April 2007.

    (4) A person to whom this regulation applies may, by giving written notice to the Department before 1st July 2007, elect that the relevant provision shall not apply in relation to the protected benefit.

    (5) If the election under paragraph (4) is made in relation to the benefit of a person who is in pensionable employment or subsequently becomes re-employed in pensionable employment—

and the 1996 Regulations and the 1998 Regulations shall apply accordingly.

    (6) In paragraph (3) "qualifying employment", in relation to the 1996 Regulations, means pensionable employment within the meaning of those Regulations and, in relation to the 1998 Regulations, means pensionable employment or excluded employment within the meaning of those Regulations.



Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Education on


7th March 2007.

L.S.


David Woods
A senior officer of the Department of Education


The Department of Finance and Personnel hereby consents to the foregoing Regulations.



Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance and Personnel on


7th March 2007.

L.S.


Mary McIvor
A senior officer of the Department of Finance and Personnel


SCHEDULE 1
Regulation 2(1)


Amendments of the Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996


Interpretation
     1. In regulation 2(1)—

Provision for lump sum death benefit
     2. For regulation 5(4) substitute—

Variation and cancellation of elections
     3. In regulation 6(1)(a) omit "subject to regulation 8(3)".

Retirement and dependant's pensions
     4. In regulation 12—

Pension sharing on divorce
     5. In regulation 13A[9]—

Payment by the Department
     6. In regulation 16[10]—



SCHEDULE 2
Regulation 2(2)


Amendments of the Teachers (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991


Interpretation
     1. In regulation 2[
12] paragraph (2) omit the definitions of "civil partner" and "civil partnership".

Allocation of part of annual compensation
     2. Omit regulation 8.

Long-term compensation on death
     3. In regulation 10(7) omit "any allocation under regulation 8 and".

Duration of compensation on death
     4. In regulation 11 after paragraph (4) insert—



SCHEDULE 3
Regulation 2(3)


Amendments of the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998


Employment - general
     1. In regulation B1—

Employment in an accepted school
     2. After regulation B2 insert—

Employment not pensionable
     3. In regulation B3—

Election not to be pensionable
     4. In regulation B4—

Election to rejoin pensionable service
     5. In regulation B5—

Ordinary contributions
     6. For regulation C2 substitute—

Election in respect of additional benefits
     7. After regulation C2 insert—

Additional contributions for past period
     8. Omit regulations C3 and C4.

Additional contributions for past period under earlier provisions
     9. For regulation C5 substitute—

Additional contributions for current period
     10. Omit regulation C6.

Additional contributions for current period: service in a reserve force
     11. In regulation C7—

Contributions for family benefits
     12. In regulation C8 after paragraph (3) insert—

Right to repayment of balance of contributions
     13. In regulation C9(1)(e) for "regulation C6 or C7" substitute "old regulation C6 or regulation C7".

Calculation of balance of contributions
     14. In regulation C10(3)(a) for "regulations C2, C3, C6, C7 and C8" substitute "regulations C2 and C2A, old regulation C6, regulations C7 and C8 and under Part 1 of Schedule 4 as a result of an election under old regulation C3".

Return of repaid contributions
     15. In regulation C13 in paragraph (11) for "regulation C6 or C7" substitute "old regulation C6 or regulation C7".

Uncompleted return by instalments of repaid contributions
     16. In regulation C14(6)(a) for "if he elects to pay additional contributions for a current period under regulation C6 or C7" substitute "if he has elected to pay additional contributions for a current period under old regulation C6 or if he elects to pay additional contributions for a current period under regulation C7".

Deduction, payment and recovery of contributions
     17. In regulation C15—

Current period for which additional contributions have been paid
     18. In regulation D4(1) before "regulation C6" insert "old".

Meaning of various terms
     19. Before regulation E1 insert—

Residual liability for guaranteed minimum pensions and for section 5(2B) rights
     20. In regulation E1A(2)(b) for "the age of 60" substitute "the normal pension age".

Nature of retirement benefits
     21. For regulation E2 substitute—

Entitlement to payment of retirement benefits
     22. In regulation E4—

Retirement benefits – pension and lump sum
     23. For regulations E5 and E6 substitute—

Limitation of retirement benefit in certain cases
     24. In regulation E7 after paragraph (5) insert—

Enhancement of retirement benefits in case of incapacity
     25. —(1) At the end of the heading to regulation E8 insert "where application is received before 6th April 2007".

    (2) In regulation E8—

    (3) After regulation E8 insert the following—

Avoidance of duplicate pensions
     26. In regulation E9—

Allocation of part of retirement pension
     27. Omit regulation E11.

Pensioner ceasing to be incapacitated
     28. —(1) At the end of the heading to regulation E13 insert “where application for payment was received before 6th April 2007”.

    (2) In regulation E13(1) after "regulation E4(4)" insert "and where the person's application for payment under regulation E33(2) was received by the Department before 6th April 2007".

    (3) After regulation E13 insert—

Abatement of retirement pension during further employment
     29. In regulation E14—

Retirement benefits on cessation of further employment
     30. In regulation E15—

Death grant
     31. In regulation E20—

Supplementary death grant
     32. In regulation E21—

Family benefits generally
     33. In regulation E22—

Nomination of partner
     34. After regulation E22 insert—

Nomination of other adult beneficiary
     35. —(1) For the heading to regulation E23 substitute "Nomination of other adult beneficiary".

    (2) In regulation E23—

Entitlement to short-term family benefits
     36. In regulation E24—

Amount and duration of short-term family benefits
     37. In regulation E25—

Entitlement to long-term family benefits
     38. In regulation E26—

Relevant service
     39. In regulation E27—

Amount of surviving spouse's, surviving civil partner's or nominated beneficiary's long-term pension
     40. —(1) For the heading to regulation E28 substitute “Amount of surviving spouse's, surviving civil partner's, surviving nominated partner's or nominated beneficiary's long-term pension“.

    (2) In regulation E28—

Amount of children's long-term pensions
     41. In regulation E29—

Additional dependant's pension where election made under regulation C2A
     42. After regulation E29 insert—

Commencement and duration of long-term family pensions
     43. In regulation E30—

Average salary
     44. In regulation E31—

     45. After regulation E31 insert—

Effective reckonable service
     46. In regulation E32—

Payment of benefits
     47. In regulation E33—

Benefits not assignable
     48. In regulation E34(2) omit "An allocation under regulation E11 is not an assignment, and".

Payment of transfer values
     49. In regulation F1(4)(b) after "his 60th birthday" insert "in the case of a pre-1st April 2007 entrant or his 65th birthday in any other case".

Acceptance of transfer values
     50. In regulation F4(7)(b) after "his 60th birthday" insert "in the case of a pre-1st April 2007 entrant or his 65th birthday in any other case".

Receipts etc. to be credited
     51. In regulation G2—

Employers' Contributions
     52. For regulation G5 substitute—

Employers' additional contributions
     53. After regulation G6 insert—

Modified application in case of employment at reduced salary
     54. In regulation H1(1)—

Declaration where lump sum payments are made
     55. After regulation H4 insert—

Pension sharing – normal pension age
     56. After regulation I2 insert—

Pension credit benefits
     57. In regulation I3—

Commutation
     58. In regulation I4(1) and (2) for "the age of 60" substitute "the normal pension age".

     59. After regulation I(4) insert—

Death grant
     60. In regulation I6(3)(a), (3)(b) and (4)(b) for "the age of 60" substitute "the normal pension age".

Glossary of expressions
     61. In Schedule 1—

Elections in respect of additional benefits
     62. After Schedule 2 insert as Schedule 2A the Schedule set out as Schedule 4 to these Regulations.

Maximum length of additional periods
     63. In Schedule 3—

Additional contributions for past period under old regulation C3
     64. At the end of the heading to Schedule 4 insert "under old regulation C3"

     65. In Schedule 4—

Additional contributions for past periods under earlier provisions
     66. In Schedule 5—

Family benefits
     67. In Schedule 6—



Modified application in certain cases
     68. In Schedule 9—

Allocation of part of retirement pension
     69. Omit Schedule 10.



SCHEDULE 4
Paragraph 60 of Schedule 3


Elections in respect of additional benefits - Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 2A to the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998


Interpretation
     1. In this Schedule—

Election by a person in pensionable employment
     2. Paragraphs 3 to 10 apply in relation to an election by a person in pensionable employment pursuant to regulation C2A(1).

     3. An election shall state whether the additional contributions—

     4. The length of the payment period must be such that—

     5. An election shall be an election—

     6. An election shall contain such further information as may be specified by the Department.

     7. The amount of an increased retirement pension specified in the election must be a multiple of such amount as may be specified from time to time by the Department.

     8. An election is to contain a declaration by the person making it that he is in normal health.

     9. An election only has effect if the Department notifies the person making it in writing that it has been accepted.

     10. Where an election has been made, nothing in this Schedule shall prevent further elections being made (but subject to paragraphs 18 to 22).

Election by employer
     11. Paragraphs 12 to 16 apply in relation to an election made by an employer under regulation C2A(2).

     12. An election shall be an election that additional contributions are to be paid in a single lump sum and shall be an election—

     13. An election shall be accompanied by a declaration by the person in respect of whom it is made that he is in normal health.

     14. An election shall contain such other information as may be specified from time to time by Department.

     15. The amount of increased retirement pension specified in the election must be a multiple of such amount as may be specified from time to time by the Department.

     16. An election only has effect if—

Effect of election
     17. Where an election has been accepted by the Department, and has not ceased to have effect, the person in respect of whom the election was made shall, subject to paragraphs 26, 28, 29 to 31, 32(2), 33, 35, and 36(2) be credited with the additional benefits specified in the election.

Maximum amount of increased pension
     18. Where the election is the first election made by, or in respect of, a person the maximum amount of increased retirement pension that may be specified in the election is—

     19. The Department of Finance and Personnel shall from time to time review the operation of paragraph 18 and as a result of such review may substitute a different maximum amount of increased pension for the amount determined under paragraph 18.

     20. Where an election has previously been made in relation to a person (whether by the person under regulation C2A(1), or by the person's employer under regulation C2A(2)) the maximum amount of increased retirement pension is the amount specified in paragraph 18, or, as the case may be, paragraph 19, less the aggregate of the amounts of increased retirement pensions, multiplied by the factor specified in paragraph 21, specified in previous elections.

     21. For the purposes of paragraph 20 the factor is

RI/RE
where—

     22. Where a previous election has been revoked the references in paragraph 20 to the amount of an increased retirement pension specified in a previous election shall be taken as the amount of an increased pension with which a person has been credited pursuant to regulation 26.

Determination of contributions for given level of increased pension
     23. The Department shall from time to time determine the amount of monthly payments of contributions or lump sum payment of contributions required for any given amount of increased retirement pension and different amounts may be specified—

and, where additional contributions are paid in monthly payments, different amounts may be determined depending on the length of the contribution period.

     24. Where the Department has, pursuant to paragraph 23, determined any amount of monthly payments of contributions or lump sum payment of contributions required for any given level of increased retirement pension it may at any time redetermine any of the amounts previously determined, and where any amounts are redetermined during a period when the person is paying monthly contributions the person shall, from 1st April following the date of the redetermination, pay the monthly payments in accordance with the redetermination but without prejudice to paragraph 25 (revocation of election) or to any right of the person to make a further election.

Revocation of election
     25. A person who has made a monthly contribution election may revoke the election before the end of the payment period.

     26. Where an election is revoked the person shall be credited with additional benefits of an amount, determined by the Department, having regard to the contributions paid before the revocation.

Election ceasing to have effect
     27. An election which states that the additional contributions are to be paid in a single lump sum ceases to have effect if —

Person ceasing to be in pensionable employment
     28. —(1) Where a person who has made a monthly contribution election ceases to be in pensionable employment before the end of the payment period and does not again enter pensionable employment within one month the person may (except where paragraph 29 applies)—

    (2) Where the lump sum referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is not received by the Department within one month after the date on which the person ceased to be in pensionable employment the person is treated as having elected to be credited with additional benefits under sub-paragraph (1)(b).

Person becoming entitled to retirement benefits
     29. Where a person who has made a monthly contribution election becomes entitled to retirement benefits by virtue of regulation E4(7) or (5A) before the end of the payment period the person shall be credited with an amount of additional benefits, determined by the Department, having regard to the contributions paid before he became entitled to retirement benefits.

Person making an election under regulation E4A
     30. Where a person who has made a monthly contribution election makes an election under paragraph (11) of regulation E4A (phased retirement) before the end of the payment period the person shall be credited with an amount of additional benefits, determined by the Department, having regard to the contributions paid before the date on which the first payment of additional benefits was made.

Person becoming incapacitated
     31. Where a person becomes entitled to payment of retirement benefits by reason of his having become incapacitated within one year after the date on which the election was made—

but in either event the person will not be credited with any additional benefits.

     32. —(1) Where a person who has made a monthly contribution election becomes entitled to payment of retirement benefits by reason of his having become incapacitated more than one year after the date on which the election was made but before the end of the payment period the person shall nevertheless be credited, pursuant to paragraph 17, with the amount of additional benefits specified in the election unless paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) Where a person falls within paragraph (1) but the declaration required by paragraph 8 or 13 was not made in good faith the person shall be credited with an amount of additional benefits determined by the Department, having regard to the contributions paid before the date on which he became entitled to payment of retirement benefits.

Person ceasing to be incapacitated
     33. —(1) This paragraph applies where a person has become entitled to payment of retirement benefits by virtue of regulation E4(4) (incapacity) and subsequently ceases to be incapacitated (so that by virtue of regulation E13A(8) the increased retirement pension with which the person was credited pursuant to paragraph 32(1) ceases to be payable).

    (2) Where this paragraph applies the person shall be credited with an amount of additional benefits determined by the Department having regard to—

Death of person
     34. Paragraphs 35 and 36 apply where the election is an election, pursuant to paragraph 5(b) or (where applicable) paragraph 12(b) for increased benefits to be paid to the person's dependants (as well as for an increased retirement pension).

     35. Where the person dies within one year after the date on which the election was made—

but in either event there shall be no credit relating to increased benefits for the person's dependants.

     36. —(1) Where the person has made a monthly contribution election and dies more than one year after the date on which the election was accepted, but before the end of the payment period, there shall nevertheless be a credit, pursuant to paragraph 17, relating to increased benefits for the person's dependants as specified in the election, unless paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) Where the person falls within paragraph (1) but the declaration required by paragraph 8 or 13 was not made in good faith there shall be a credit relating to increased benefits for the person's dependants of an amount determined by the Department having regard to the contributions paid before the date of the person's death.

Actuarial advice
     37. The Department shall take advice from the Government Actuary before determining any amount pursuant to paragraph 23, 24, 26, 28(1), 29, 30, 32(2), 33(2) or 36(2).



SCHEDULE 5
Regulation 3


Transitional Provisions and Savings




PART 1

Transitional Provisions and Savings relating to the Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

     1. Any notice given before 1st April 2007 under regulation 12(6) of the Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 shall be treated as having been given under that regulation as substituted by paragraph 4(d) of Schedule 1.



PART 2

Transitional Provisions and Savings relating to the Teachers' (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991

     2. In this Part "the 1991 Compensation Regulations" means the Teachers' (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991.

     3. —(1) Regulation 8 of the 1991 Compensation Regulations shall (despite paragraph 2 of Schedule 2) continue to have effect where a declaration was delivered to the compensating authority pursuant to paragraph (2) of that regulation before 1st April 2007.

    (2) Where regulation 8 of the 1991 Compensation Regulations continues to have effect, pursuant to paragraph (1), regulation 10(7) of the 1991 Compensation Regulations shall have effect without the amendment made by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2.



PART 3

Transitional Provisions and Savings relating to the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

     4. In this Part "the 1998 Regulations" means the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998.

     5. Where, before 1st April 2007, a person over the age of compulsory retirement was in employment which would have been pensionable but for regulation B3(1)(a) of the 1998 Regulations, the amendment made to that provision by paragraph 3(a) of Schedule 3 does not have the effect of making pensionable any employment which occurred before 1st April 2007 but after the person was over the age of compulsory retirement.

     6. Paragraphs (10) and (13) of regulation C3 of the 1998 Regulations shall (despite paragraph 8 of Schedule 3) continue to have effect in relation to any election made under that regulation before 1st April 2007.

     7. —(1) Regulation C4 of the 1998 Regulations shall (despite paragraph 8 of Schedule 3) continue to have effect in relation to any person who died before 1st April 2007.

    (2) Where that regulation continues to have effect—

     8. —(1) Regulation C6 of the 1998 Regulations shall (despite paragraph 10 of Schedule 3) continue to have effect in relation to any person who left pensionable employment before 1st April 2007.

    (2) Where a person left pensionable employment before 1st April 2007 but has not made an election before that date that regulation shall have effect as if for paragraph (10) there were substituted—

    (3) Where regulation C6 of the 1998 Regulations continues to have effect by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)—

     9. —(1) Regulation E11 of, and Schedule 10 to, the 1998 Regulations shall (despite paragraphs 27 and 69 of Schedule 3), shall continue to have effect where a declaration was delivered to the Department pursuant to regulation E11(4) of the 1998 Regulations before 1st April 2007.

    (2) Where the provisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) continue to have effect by virtue of that sub-paragraph regulations E14(3) and E34(2) of the 1998 Regulations shall have effect without the amendments made by paragraphs 29(b) and (c)(iii) and 48 respectively.

     10. —(1) Regulation E31 of the 1998 Regulations shall continue to have effect without the amendments made by paragraph 44 of Schedule 3 for the purpose of determining the average salary of a person where—

    (2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) a person is to be treated as being in pensionable employment during any period for which he is paying additional contributions under old regulation C6 or regulation C7 of the 1998 Regulations.

    (3) Where the entitlement of a person (other than a person falling within paragraph (1)(b)) to payment of retirement benefits took effect on or after 1st April 2007 but before 1st April 2009 the average salary of that person shall be the greater of——

     11. Where, before 1st April 2007, a person was in pensionable employment and would, but for regulation E32(2)(b) of the 1998 Regulations have reckonable service in excess of 40 years before attaining the age of 60, the amendment to regulation E32(2) of the 1998 Regulations made by paragraph 46(a) of Schedule 3 does not have the effect of increasing reckonable service undertaken before 1st April 2007.



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)


These Regulations amend the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and also the Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 and the Teachers (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991.

Schedule 1 contains amendments to the Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. Paragraph 1(b) amends regulation 2 so that "dependant" includes a person in whose favour a nomination under regulation E22A of the Principal Regulations has effect. Paragraph 4 amends regulation 12 so that benefits may be provided from the age of 55 (rather than when a person became entitled to benefits under the Principal Regulations) and to change the options available if the participator dies within five years after the retirement pension commences. The other amendments are consequential on the amendments to the Principal Regulations or are drafting amendments.

Schedule 2 contains amendments to the Teachers' (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991. Paragraph 4 amends regulation 11 so that long-term compensation payable to a survivor is payable for life if the teacher was in pensionable employment after 31 March 2007. The other amendments are consequential on the amendments to the Principal Regulations or are drafting amendments.

The amendments to the Teachers Superannuation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 ("the Principal Regulations") are contained in Schedule 3.

Regulation B1 of the Principal Regulations is amended so that part-time employment is pensionable without the person having to make an election. However, where the person was in part-time employment on 31st March 2007 the employment is not pensionable unless an election is made to this effect. Regulation B1 of the Principal Regulations is also amended to provide that, where a person is in full-time employment and at the same time in part-time employment, the part-time employment is not pensionable. (Paragraph 1(b) and (c) of Schedule 3).

New provisions are also made to allow teachers in independent schools to become members of the Scheme (providing certain conditions are met). (Paragraphs 1(a) and 2 of Schedule 3).

Regulation B3 of the Principal Regulations is amended so that the maximum age at which a person can be in pensionable employment is increased from the age of compulsory retirement (65) to 75. (Paragraph 3(a) of Schedule 3).

A further amendment to Regulation B1 provides that where a person was in such employment on 31st March 2007 the employment is not pensionable unless an election to that effect is made and there are also special provisions relating to persons who go back to employment after retiring on ill health grounds. (Paragraph 3(b) of Schedule 3).

New provisions are made under which members may acquire additional pension benefits. Regulations C3, C4 and C6 of the Principal Regulations which provided for members to be able to purchase added years are omitted. However, where persons are currently making contributions in order to purchase added years they can continue to do so. In place of these provisions the new regulation C2A of, and the new Schedule 2A to, the Principal Regulations provides for persons to be able to elect to pay additional contributions, either as a lump sum or in monthly payments, and in return to receive an increased pension with or without increased benefits for dependants. The new regulation E5A provides for such increased pension; the amount of the pension specified in the election is indexed linked up to the month in which the person becomes entitled to retirement benefits. If the election specifies benefits for dependants the new Regulation E29A provides that they are at a rate which is half the rate of the increased pension. (Paragraphs 7 – 10, 23, 42 and 61 of Schedule 3, Schedule 4 and paragraphs 6 to 8 of Schedule 5).

Regulation E4 of the Principal Regulations is amended to provide that the minimum age at which a person who is not a "post 5th April 2006 entrant" can be entitled to benefits under regulation E4(7) (redundancy or efficient discharge of employer's functions) is raised from 50 to 55 where the person has not reached the age of 50 before 6th April 2010. (Paragraph 22(e)(ii) of Schedule 3).

New provisions are made for normal pension age in place of the provision that persons are, broadly speaking, entitled to benefits at the age of 60. Where a person enters pensionable employment for the first time on or after 1st April 2007, his normal pension age will be 65. A person who was in employment on 1st April 2007 however retains a normal pension age of 60. If such a person has a break of service of five years or less this will not affect his pension age. However, there are special provisions for a person who has a break of service of five years or more (defined as a person with mixed service). The definitions of "normal pension age" and related terms are contained in the new regulation EA1 of the Principal Regulations and regulation E4 which deals with entitlement to benefits is amended accordingly. (Paragraphs 19 and 22 (a) to (c), (d)(i), e(i) and (f) of Schedule 3).

New provisions are made in Regulation E4 of the Principal Regulations to provide for a new case G. This allows a person to retire and to elect to receive his pension benefits before normal retirement age, known as actuarially reduced benefits. The employer's consent, which cannot be withheld for more than six months from the date on which the teacher notified his employer of his wishes, is required where the teacher is in pensionable or excluded employment at the time of his application. (Paragraph 22 (f).) Regulation 23 amends regulations E5 and E6 of the 1998 Regulations to give effect to the amount of the actuarially reduced pension and lump sum to be paid. (Paragraphs 23 (E5) (6) and (7), and paragraph 23 E6 (4)).

There are related changes to the way in which retirement benefits are calculated. Where a person has a normal pension age of 60 there is no change; the person receives a lump sum and pension calculated by reference to 80ths of the person's average salary. Where, however, the person has a pensionable age of 65 he will receive a pension calculated by reference to 60ths of his average salary but will not receive a lump sum (unless he elects to commute a part of his pension under new regulation E6A described below). Again, there are special provisions for persons with mixed service. (Paragraph 23 of Schedule 3 – the substituted regulations E5 and E6).

Provision is made by the new regulation E4A of the Principal Regulations to allow a person to elect to receive some of his pension benefits without the requirement of having to retire, known as phased retirement benefits. To be eligible, a person needs to have reached the age of 55 and either is to continue in his employment or has secured further employment elsewhere. In both cases, his employer has to certify that he taken a minimum reduction in salary of 25% compared to before he applied for phased retirement benefits. A person can choose to make up to two such elections of his pension benefits before retirement. The amount of phased retirement benefits is calculated as set out in regulation E5 and (where applicable) E6 but taking into account adjustments. The average salary is calculated as the person's average salary immediately before the change in employment and the effective reckonable service is the percentage of the election up to the date of that change. Similar adjustment is made for any additional benefits to be paid as part of the phased retirement benefits.

New provision is made under which, where a person has a normal pension age of 65, and accrues reckonable service after reaching that age, his pension is actuarially enhanced – the substituted regulation E5(9) to (13).

Further changes are made to the provisions relating to the lump sum (regulation E6 of the Principal Regulations). Paragraph (4) of the substituted regulation E6 provides that a person's lump sum cannot exceed his "permitted maximum" defined in Schedule 1 by reference to the Finance Act 2004; paragraph (6) provides that a person aged 75 or over cannot receive a lump sum. The new regulation E6B however provides that where a person is prevented from receiving a lump sum because he is 75 or over he will receive an increased pension.

New regulation E6A of the Principal Regulations contains new provisions whereby a person may elect to receive a further lump sum in place of part of his pension. If such an election is made the annual rate of pension is reduced by £1 for every £12 of lump sum.

New provisions are made for persons who retire on ill health grounds; they apply where the application for retirement benefits was received by the Department on or after 6th April 2007. The existing provisions will continue to apply where the application was received before that date. Under the new provisions, a person who is not in pensionable employment or taking a period of unpaid leave or a career break immediately following pensionable employment is only entitled to benefits if, as well as being incapacitated, his ability to carry out work is impaired by more than 90% and likely permanently to be so (regulation E4(4) Principal Regulations). Where however a person is in pensionable employment or taking unpaid leave or a career break immediately following pensionable employment and is entitled to benefits he will also be entitled to payment of an additional "total incapacity pension" and, where applicable, lump sum if his ability to carry out work is impaired by more than 90% and is likely permanently to be so (new regulation E8A). New regulation E13A provides for a person who ceases to be incapacitated. Where he has received the additional total incapacity pension but the person's ability to carry out work ceases to be impaired by more than 90% the total incapacity pension ceases to be payable. If a person ceases to be incapacitated his retirement pension ceases to be payable. If a person takes up certain types of employment his ability to carry out work is treated as ceasing to be 90% impaired or (as the case may be) he is treated as ceasing to be incapacitated. Regulation E33 is also amended to make explicit provision that an application for ill health retirement pension must be signed by the person's employer and must be accompanied by necessary medical evidence. (Paragraphs 22(d)(ii), 25, 28 and 47(a) of Schedule 3).

Regulation E11 of, and Schedule 10 to, the Principal Regulations, which provide for allocation of part of retirement pension to the provision of alternative benefits is omitted, subject to savings. (Paragraphs 27 and 69 of Schedule 3 and paragraph 9 of Schedule 5).

Regulation E20 (death grant) is amended to provide that where the death occurs on or after 1st April 2007 death grant is three times average salary (Paragraph 31(b) of Schedule 3).

Regulations E20 and E21 are amended to require any death grant or supplementary death grant to be paid, in the absence of another nominee, to a surviving nominated partner (paragraphs 31(d) and 32(d) of Schedule 3).

Provision is made for benefits under the Principal Regulations to be paid to the surviving partner of a member (who is not his surviving spouse or surviving civil partner). New regulation E22A provides for the member to make a nomination and for the circumstances in which the nominee becomes a "surviving nominated partner" who is entitled to benefits (paragraph 34 of Schedule 3).

Regulations E22, E24 to E28 and E30 are amended to provide for short- and long-term pensions to be paid to the surviving nominated partner (paragraphs 33(a), 36(b) and (d), 37, 38(a), 39(k) and (l), 40(2)(a), (b), (e) and (g) and 43(a)) of Schedule 3). The service that counts for the purpose of calculating a surviving nominated partner's pension is specified in new paragraph (7B) of regulation E28; but regulation C8 and Schedule 6 are amended to enable a member to pay family benefit contributions to make periods of his service (which would otherwise not do so) count for the purpose of calculating such a pension (paragraphs 12 and 67(i) of Schedule 3). Regulation E29 is amended to provide for the calculation of long-term pensions payable to children where a pension is payable to a surviving nominated partner (paragraph 41 of Schedule 3).

Regulation E23, which relates to the nomination of close relatives to receive benefits under the Principal Regulations, is given a new heading to avoid confusion with new regulation E22A. Amendments are made to provide that, if a partner is nominated under regulation E22A, any previous nomination made under regulation E23 ceases to have effect and no such nomination may be made while the nomination under regulation E22A is current (paragraph 35 of Schedule 3). Regulation E26 is amended so that a person nominated under regulation E23 does not receive a pension if he is co-habiting at the date of the member's death (paragraph 38(b) and (c) of Schedule 3).

Regulation E27 is amended to clarify the periods of service which count for the purpose of a pension payable to widowers and to surviving civil partners where a transfer value has been accepted in respect of comparable British service (paragraph 39(c), (e), (f), (g) and (j) of Schedule 3).

Regulation E30 is amended so that a pension payable to a survivor is payable for life if the member was in pensionable employment after 31st March 2007 or was paying or had paid additional contributions under old regulation C6 or regulation C7 in respect of that period.

Regulation E31 of the Principal Regulations is amended and regulation E31A inserted to make new provisions for determining a person's average salary on which benefits are calculated. The effect of the amendments, when taken with section 8(2)(a) of the Pensions (Increase) Act (Northern Ireland)1971, is that a person's salary is either the salary in the last 365 days of service or the average of the salary, indexed linked up to the date when the average salary service ended, for the best 1,095 consecutive days of service in the previous ten years. Under transitional provisions, the existing provisions continue to apply where a person's entitlement to benefits took effect before 1st April 2007. Where a person became entitled to benefits on or after 1st April 2007 but before 1st April 2009, the average salary will either be that calculated under the old provisions or that calculated under the new provisions whichever is the higher. There are amendments to introduce a 10% cap on any salary increase in each of the last three years if the last year is the best year and introduces obligations on employers to meet the cost of the additional pension benefits; new provisions also detail the necessary course of action should the employer not meet the additional cost. (Paragraphs 29 (c)(i) and (ii) and (d), 44 and 45 of Schedule 3 and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5).

Regulation E32 (effective reckonable service) of the Principal Regulations is amended so that there is no longer a restriction on reckonable service including service in excess of 40 years before reaching 60. (Paragraph 46(a) of Schedule 3).

Regulation H1 of the Principal Regulations, which provides for modifications where a person is employed at a reduced salary, is amended so that it will only apply (where the person continues to be employed by the same employer) where the reduced rate of contributable salary had effect before 1st April 2007 or (where the person had a break in employment) where the old employment ceased before 1st April 2007 and the new employment started before 1st May 2007. (Paragraph 54 of Schedule 3).

New provisions are made (new regulation H6A of the Principal Regulations) whereby the Department may, before paying a lump sum require a declaration to be made relating to the recycling of the lump sum by the person to whom the payment is to be made. (Paragraph 55 of Schedule 3).

Paragraphs 56 – 60 of Schedule 3 amend Part I of the Principal Regulations (pension sharing). The amendments reflect the change to the normal pension age described above and the new provisions whereby persons can commute part of their pension into a lump sum.

The definition of "appropriate factor" in Schedule 1 to the Principal Regulations, which is the factor by which a pension or lump sum is actuarially reduced in the case of early retirement, is inserted. Under this definition, the "appropriate factor" is determined from time to time by the Department after taking advice from the Government Actuary.(Paragraph 61 of Schedule 3). Parts II and IIA of Schedule 6 are also amended to remove the tables and factors (for the purpose of calculating the cost of making past years service count for pension benefits for survivors) from the Principal Regulations and provide for these to be determined in the same way (paragraph 67(b)-(h) of Schedule 3).

The other amendments to the Principal Regulations are consequential on the matters set out above or are drafting amendments.


Notes:

[1] As amended by S.I. 1990/1509 (N.I. 13) Article 13(1)back

[2] As amended by S.I 1990/1509 (N.I. 13) Article 6(1)back

[3] S.I. 1972/1073 (N.I. 10)back

[4] Formerly Department of Finance: see S.I. 1982/338 (N.I. 6) Article 3back

[5] S.R. 1996 No.260, as amended by S.R. 2001 No. 149, S.R. 2003 No. 86, S.R. 2005 No. 495 and S.R. 2006 No.163back

[6] S.R. 1991 No. 132, as amended by S.R. 2002 No. 393back

[7] S.R. 1998 No. 333, as amended by S.R. 2001 No. 149, S.R. 2003 No. 147, S.R. 2005 No. 181, S.R. 2005 No. 495, S.R. 2006 No. 163 and S.R. 2006 No. 366back

[8] 2004 c.12back

[9] Regulation 13A was inserted by regulation 3(1) of and Schedule 4 to S.R. 2001 No. 149back

[10] Regulation 16 (2A) was inserted by regulation 12(a) of S.R. 2006 No. 163back

[11] Paragraph 3A of Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004 was inserted by section 159 of the Finance Act 2006 (c.25)back

[12] Regulation 2(2) was amended by regulation 6 of S.R. 2002 No. 495back

[13] The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1996/594 (N.I. 3)) as amended by Article 30 of S.I. 1996/274 (N.I. 1)back

[14] S.I. 1997/3001; regulation C3 was substituted by S.I. 2006/3122, regulation 8.back

[15] 1971 c. 35 (N.I.) to which there are amendments not relevant to this regulation.back

[16] 1971 c. 35 (N.I.) to which there are amendments not relevant to this regulation.back

[17] 2004 c. 12; paragraph 3A of Schedule 29 was inserted by section 159 of the Finance Act 2006 c .25.back

[18] The Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11))back

[19] 2004 c.12.back



ISBN 978 0 337 96916 4


 © Crown copyright 2007

Prepared 27 March 2007


BAILII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Donate to BAILII
URL: http://www.bailii.org/nie/legis/num_reg/2007/20070137.html