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2002 No. 681

PENSIONS

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002

  Made 13th March 2002 
  Laid before Parliament 15th March 2002 
  Coming into force 6th April 2002 

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the provisions set out in the Schedule to this Instrument and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, after consultation with such persons as he considers appropriate[1], hereby makes the following Regulations: - 

Citation and commencement
     1. These Regulations may be cited as the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 and shall come into force on 6th April 2002.

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations 1996
    
2.  - (1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations 1996[2] shall be amended in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation.

    (2) In regulation 3 (notices by employers of intended election for issue of contracting-out certificate), in paragraph (2) - 

    (3) In regulation 6 (information to be included in an election), in paragraph (2), sub-paragraphs (e) and (f) shall be omitted.

    (4) In regulation 9 (making of elections by employers for variation or surrender of contracting-out certificates) for paragraph (1) there shall be substituted the following paragraph: - 

    (5) In regulation 16 (requirement to confirm relevant requirements are satisfied), in paragraph (1) for the words "written confirmation and such" there shall be substituted the words "such written confirmation and any".

    (6) In regulation 18 (requirement as to resources of schemes), in paragraph (2), after the word "apply" (in the second place that word appears) there shall be inserted the words "or to any scheme in respect of which any Minister of the Crown has given a guarantee, or made any other arrangements, for the purpose of securing that the assets of the scheme are sufficient to meet its liabilities".

    (7) For regulation 19 (lump sum benefits and salary related contracted-out schemes) there shall be substituted the following regulation: - 

    (8) In regulation 20 (trivial commutation of benefits derived from section 9(2B) rights) - 

    (9) After regulation 20 there shall be inserted the following new regulation: - 

    (10) In regulation 23 (requirements for meeting the statutory standard) - 

    (11) In regulation 31 (deduction of minimum payments from earnings) - 

    (12) In regulation 51 (election to pay a contributions equivalent premium) - 

    (13) In regulation 52(1) (time for payment of contributions equivalent premiums) after the words "the trustees", in the first place they occur, the words "are required or" shall be inserted.

    (14) In regulation 60 (trivial commutation of guaranteed minimum pensions), in paragraph (4)[12] - 

    (15) In regulation 61 (suspension and forfeiture of guaranteed minimum pension), in paragraph (1)(a) - 

    (16) In regulation 62(2) (fixed rate revaluations for early leavers' guaranteed minimum pensions - prescribed increase) - 

    (17) In regulation 63 (provision of information about guaranteed minimum pensions) - 

    (18) In regulation 72 (transitional requirements as to sufficiency of resources of salary related schemes) - 

Amendment of the Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations 1996
     3.  - (1) The Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations 1996[14] shall be amended in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation.

    (2) After regulation 4 (transfer payments to salary-related contracted-out schemes)[15] there shall be inserted the following regulation: - 

    (3) In regulation 5 (transfer payments to overseas schemes) - 

Amendment of the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Protected Rights) Regulations 1996
    
4.  - (1) The Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Protected Rights) Regulations 1996[16] shall be amended in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation.

    (2) In regulation 4(2) (conditions applying to rates of pensions and annuities which give effect to protected rights - marital status) for sub-paragraph (b) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph: - 

    (3) For regulation 5 (circumstances in which and periods for which pension or annuity is to be paid to widow or widower after being paid to member) there shall be substituted the following regulation: - 

    (4) For paragraphs (2) and (3) of regulation 7 (payments made under interim arrangements) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs: - 

    (5) In regulation 9 (suspension and forfeiture of payments giving effect to protected rights), in paragraph (1)(a) - 

    (6) In regulation 12 (death of member before effect given to protected rights) - 

    (7) In regulation 13 (death before effect given to protected rights: interim arrangements for widow or widower) - 

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Modification of Schemes) Regulations 1996
     5. In paragraph (1) of regulation 6 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Modification of Schemes) Regulations 1996[18] (exemption from the restriction on powers to modify schemes) after sub-paragraph (d) there shall be inserted: - 

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 1996
     6. In paragraph (1)(a)(i) of regulation 2 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 1996[19] (schemes to which regulation 5 applies), after the words "Chapter I" there shall be inserted "or Chapter IV".

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
     7.  - (1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996[20] shall be amended as follows: - 

    (2) For paragraph (1) of regulation 51 there shall be substituted the following paragraphs - 

    (3) In paragraph (2) of that regulation - 

    (4) After paragraph (2) of that regulation there shall be inserted - 

    (5) In regulation 52(1) (time for payment of contributions equivalent premiums) after the words "the trustees", in the first place they occur, the words "are required or" shall be inserted.

Amendment of the Personal Pension Schemes (Appropriate Schemes) Regulations 1997
     8. After regulation 6 of the Personal Pension Schemes (Appropriate Schemes) Regulations 1997[27] (requirement to give the Secretary of State information) there shall be inserted the following regulation - 

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997
    
9. In regulation 2 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997[28] (commutation of pensions under occupational pension scheme) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraph: - 

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Payment and Recovery of Remaining Balances) Regulations 2000
     10. In regulation 3 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Payment and Recovery of Remaining Balances) Regulations 2000 (recovery of amounts by Inland Revenue)[30] for the words "section 42A(2D) of the Northern Ireland Act" there shall be substituted the words "section 38A(2D) of the Northern Ireland Act[31]".



Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.


P. Hollis
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions

13th March 2002



SCHEDULE

PROVISIONS CONFERRING POWERS EXERCISED IN MAKING THESE REGULATIONS


Column (1) Provision      Column (2) Provision
Pension Schemes Act 1993[32] section 8(3)(b)     
     section 9(2B)(c) Pensions Act 1995[33] ("1995 Act"), section 136(3); Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 ("1999 Act")[34], Schedule 1, paragraph 35(2)
     section 9(3)(aa) 1995 Act, section 136(4); 1999 Act, Schedule 1, paragraph 35(3)
     section 11(5) 1999 Act, Schedule 1, paragraph 37
     section 21     
     section 28(1A) 1995 Act, section 142(3); Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999[35] ("WRAP Act"), Schedule 2, paragraph 5
     section 28(2) Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000[36] ("2000 Act"), Schedule 5, paragraph 2(2)
     section 28(4) 2000 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 3(2)
     section 28A 1995 Act, section 143
     section 32     
     section 32A(2) 1995 Act, section 146(1)
     section 34(1) 1995 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 37; 1999 Act, Schedule 1, paragraph 45
     section 55(2), (2B) and (2C) 1995 Act, section 141(1) WRAP Act, Schedule 2, paragraph 7(1)
     section 56(2) 1995 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 51(a); 1999 Act, Schedule 1, paragraph 54
     section 57(2) 2000 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 6(2)
     section 156(2) 2000 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 9
     section 181(1)[37] WRAP Act, Schedule 2, paragraph 3; 2000 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 2(3)
     section 182(2) and (3)     
     section 183(1) 1995 Act, Schedule 5, paragraph 79, Schedule 6, paragraph 15(a), and Schedule 7, Parts III and IV
Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993[38] section 38A(2C) and (2D) Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995[39] ("1995 Order"), article 134(4); Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998[40], Schedule 6, paragraph 96; Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999[41] ("1999 Order"), Schedule 1, paragraph 52; WRAP Act, Schedule 10, paragraph 7
     section 51(2), (2ZA), (2B) and (2C) 1995 Order, article 138(1); WRAP Act, Schedule 2, paragraph 7(2); 1999 Order, Schedule 1, paragraph 63
     section 52(2) and (7) 1995 Order, Schedule 3, paragraph 43(a); 1999 Order, Schedule 1, paragraph 64
     section 53(2) and (5) 1999 Order, Schedule 1, paragraph 65
     section 177(2) to (4) and (7) 1999 Order, Schedule 1, paragraph 75
     section 178(1) 1995 Order, Schedule 3, paragraph 68
Pensions Act 1995[42] section 40(1) and (2)     
     section 67(5)(b) WRAP Act, Schedule 12, paragraph 53(4)
     section 91(5) WRAP Act, Schedule 12, paragraph 57(4)
     section 92(6)     
     section 124(1)[43]     
     section 174(2) and (3)     



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations amend various instruments which govern the arrangements whereby occupational and personal pension schemes are contracted-out of the state additional retirement pensions, and associated matters including those relating to transfer payments, benefits for widows and widowers, contributions equivalent premiums and the provision of information relating to pension schemes and state scheme rights and duties.

Regulation 2 amends the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations 1996 in relation to contracting-out certificates and elections and the trivial commutation of benefits. Regulation 2 also substitutes regulation 19 (lump sum benefits) and regulation 51 (contributions equivalent premiums) (paragraphs (7) and (12) respectively). Regulation 2(9) inserts new regulation 20A into those Regulations to provide for the suspension of benefits derived from section 9(2B) protected rights.

Regulation 3 amends the Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations 1996 by inserting a new regulation 4A which provides for transfer payments to section 53 Schemes (former contracted-out schemes) (regulation 3(2)) and to provide for transfer payments to overseas arrangements as well as overseas schemes (regulation 3(3)).

Regulation 4 amends the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Protected Rights) Regulations 1996 in respect of pensions and annuities for widows and widowers (regulations 4, 5 and 7), the suspension and the forfeiture of protected rights payments and their treatment where a member dies before effect is given to such rights (regulation 9).

Regulation 5 amends the Occupational Pension Schemes (Modification of Schemes) Regulations 1996 to disapply restrictions on modifying Schemes to be amended to offer single life pensions and annuities in accordance with the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Protected Rights) Regulations 1996 as amended by regulation 4 of these Regulations.

Regulation 6 amends the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 1996 to apply the restriction on employer related investments in regulation 5 of those Regulations to schemes referred to in Chapter IV of Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

Regulation 7 amends regulations 51 and 52 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 which relate to contributions equivalent premiums.

Regulation 8 amends the Personal Pension Schemes (Appropriate Schemes) Regulations 1997 by inserting a new regulation 6A to extend the categories of person to whom information may be given to enable them to comply with Part III (certification of pension schemes and effect on members state scheme rights and duties) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 to widows and widowers of an earner and anyone responsible for making payments derived from protected rights.

Regulation 9 amends the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997 by inserting paragraph (1A) into regulation 2 (commutation of pension under an occupational pension scheme). New paragraph (1A) disapplies, in relation to the commutation of benefits referred to in section 91(5) of the Pensions Act 1995, the principle of inalienability of pensions provided for in section 91(1) of that Act.

Regulation 10 amends regulation 3 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Payment and Recovery of Remaining Balances) Regulations 2000 which deals with the recovery of amounts by the Inland Revenue by substituting the reference to section 42A(2D) of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 with a reference to section 38A(2D) of that Act.

An assessment of the cost to business of complying with these Regulations has been made, copies of which have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions, Regulatory Impact Unit, 3rd floor, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT.


Notes:

[1] See section 185(1) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c.48) (as amended by paragraph 46 of Schedule 3, paragraph 80 of Schedule 5 and Part I of Schedule 7, to the Pensions Act 1995 (c.26)) ("the 1995 Act"), and section 120(1) of the 1995 Act.back

[2] S.I. 1996/1172; relevant amendments were made by S.I. 1997/786 and S.I. 2000/2975.back

[3] See the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (c.1).back

[4] Section 611A was inserted by paragraph 15 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 1989 (c.26) and amended by paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 to the Finance Act 1999 (c.16).back

[5] 1992 c.4; section 5 was substituted by paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.2) ("the 1999 Act").back

[6] Subsection (2) was substituted by section 141 of the 1995 Act and amended by section 18 of, and paragraph 7(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to, the 1999 Act.back

[7] Subsection (2B) was inserted by paragraph 7(1)(c) of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act.back

[8] Section 39A was inserted by section 55 of the 1999 Act.back

[9] Section 39B was inserted by section 55 of the 1999 Act.back

[10] Section 12C was inserted by section 136(5) of the 1995 Act.back

[11] Section 55(2A) was inserted by section 141(1) of the 1995 Act.back

[12] Regulation 60(4) was amended by S.I. 1997/786.back

[13] 1993 c.48; section 156 was substituted by paragraph 9 of Schedule 5 to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c.19).back

[14] S.I. 1996/1461, to which there are no amendments relevant to these Regulations.back

[15] Regulation 4 was amended by regulation 3 of, and paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 1 to, S.I. 1997/786.back

[16] S.I. 1996/1537, to which there are no amendments relevant to these Regulations.back

[17] Section 28A was inserted by section 143 of the 1995 Act.back

[18] S.I. 1996/2517; the relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1999/3189.back

[19] S.I. 1996/3127, to which there are no amendments relevant to these Regulations.back

[20] S.R. 1996 No. 493.back

[21] 1993 c.49; section 51(2) was substituted by Article 138(10) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I.22)) and was amended by paragraph 7(2)(a) of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act.back

[22] Section 51(2B) was inserted by paragraph 7(2)(c) of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act.back

[23] Section 39A was inserted by article 52(2) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I.11)).back

[24] Section 39B was inserted by article 52(2) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I.11)).back

[25] Section 8C was inserted by article 133(5) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.back

[26] Section 51(2A) was inserted by article 138(1) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.back

[27] S.I. 1997/470.back

[28] S.I. 1997/785.back

[29] 1965 c.51.back

[30] S.I. 2000/750.back

[31] See the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 (c.49); section 38A was inserted by article 134(4) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22)) and amended by paragraph 96 of Schedule 6 to the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10)), and by paragraph 52 of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/671); subsections (2C) and (2D) were inserted in that section by paragraph 7 of Schedule 10 to the 1999 Act.back

[32] 1993 c.48.back

[33] 1995 c.26.back

[34] 1999 c.2.back

[35] 1999 c.30.back

[36] 2000 c.30.back

[37] Section 181 is cited for the meaning of "employed earner", "overseas arrangement", "prescribe", "prescribed" and "regulations".back

[38] 1993 c.49.back

[39] S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22).back

[40] S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10).back

[41] S.I. 1999/671.back

[42] 1995 c.26.back

[43] Section 124(1) is cited for the meaning of "prescribe" and "regulations".back



ISBN 0 11 039491 7


  Prepared 15 March 2002


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