CHAPTER IV
BENEFITS
Preliminary
General qualification for benefits
19.-(1) Membership of the Scheme only entitles the member to benefits under this Chapter if-
(a) his total membership is at least
two yearsthree months (SI2004/573),or(b) a transfer value is credited to him.
(2) But paragraph (1) does not apply-
(a) to a benefit under regulation 25 (normal retirement) in a case where the member's normal retirement date is his 65th birthday
or under regulation 27(3) (ill-health grants)(SI2004/573); or(b) to benefits in respect of a member under regulation 38 (death grants), regulation 40 (surviving spouse's or civil partner's (SI2005/3069) short-term pension), regulation 45 (children's short-term pensions) or regulation 46 (children's long-term pensions).
Limit on total amount of benefits
19A.-(1) Except as provided in regulation 50(1), (SI2007/1488) A member and any dependant of his shall not be entitled, under any provision of these Regulations, to receive benefits the capital value of which exceeds his lifetime allowance increased, where applicable, by his primary protection or enhanced protection except in accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary. (SI2006/2008)
(2) In this regulation, "lifetime allowance", "primary protection" and "enhanced protection" are to be construed in accordance with section 218 of, and Schedule 36 to, the Finance Act 2004( ).
(3) Any calculation of the capital value of a member's benefits for the purposes of this or any other regulation (SI2007/1488) is to be carried out in accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary.
(4) The appropriate administering authority is responsible for deducting from any payments of benefits under the Scheme any tax to which they may become chargeable under the Finance Act 2004.
20.-(1) The amount of any benefit payable as a result of a person's membership is generally calculated by multiplying his final pay by the appropriate multiplier.
(2) Unless another multiplier is indicated, the appropriate multiplier for a pension is-
the member's total membership.
80
(3) Unless another multiplier is indicated, the appropriate multiplier for a retirement grant is-
3 x the member's total membership.
80
(3A) A member in respect of whom a benefit crystallisation event occurs on or after 6th April 2006 may elect in writing to the appropriate administering authority before any benefits become payable to increase the retirement grant payable under paragraph (3) by commuting his pension, or a part thereof, at a rate of £12 for every £1 of annual pension entitlement surrendered but the entitlement to the benefit shall not arise until the date on which the member's appropriate administering authority receives the information it requires to calculate the increase (SI2007/1488). (SI2006/966)
(3B) But the total amount of the member's retirement grant, including any
sum received in accordance with an election under paragraph (3A), shall not
exceed 25% of the capital value of his accrued rights. (SI2006/966)
(SI2006/2008)
(3B) But the total amount of the member's retirement grant,
including any sum received—
shall not exceed 25% of the capital value of his accrued rights. (SI2006/2008)
(3C) For the purposes of this regulation, a member's accrued rights include
rights accrued in respect of any payments made by him made by or for
him (SI2006/2008) in accordance with Chapter
IV of Part III (Additional Voluntary Contributions). (SI2006/966)
(3D) The capital value of a person's accrued rights shall be calculated as shown
in guidance issued by the Government
Actuary (SI2006/966)
(3E) In paragraph (3A), "member" includes a deferred member
to whom regulations 4 and 18A of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional
Provisions) Regulations 1997 (Deferred members and pensioners: general) applies.
(SI2006/2008)
(3F) A member may make an election under paragraph (3A)
in respect of his pension, or any part thereof, payable by virtue of an election
under regulation 66 (Elections as to use of
accumulated value of AVCs) notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
the former provisions of regulation 66 treated
as continuing to have effect under paragraph (8) of that regulation. (SI2006/2008)
(4) But benefits payable on or after the death of a
pensioner member are calculated by multiplying the amount of his former retirement
pension by the multiplier specified for the benefit in question.
But;
(a) benefits payable to a pension debit member are reduced as provided in regulation 20A; and
(b) benefits payable on or after the death of a pensioner member are calculated by multiplying the amount of his former retirement pension by the multiplier specified for the benefit in question. (SI2000/3025)
(4A) Benefits payable to a person who remains
in service after his 65th birthday as referred to in regulation
25A(1) shall be increased at such a rate as is shown as appropriate in guidance
issued by the Government Actuary in respect of each day that payment of
benefits is delayed between his 65th birthday and the date of his retirement.
(SI1999/1212) (SI2006/966)
(4A) Where no benefit crystallisation event has occurred before the day after a member's 65th birthday in respect of any benefits payable under the Scheme, those benefits shall be increased at such a rate as is shown as appropriate in guidance issued by the Government Actuary. (SI2006/966)
(5) Unless otherwise indicated, references to the amounts of pensions are to their annual rate.
(6) The amount of a deceased person's former retirement pension is the amount of the pension he would have received immediately before his death, but for-
(a) regulation 29 (re-employed pensioners),(SI2004/573)(aa) regulation 31 (elections for early payment), (SI1998/1238)
(b) regulation 33 (surrenders),
(c) regulation 50 (commutation in cases of exceptional ill-health),
(d) regulation 54 (effect of increases under Chapter II of Part III for older members),
(e) regulation 57 (effect of increases under Chapter III of Part III for older members), or
(f) regulation 110 (application of abatement policy in individual cases).
(7) Periods are measured in years and fractions of a year (calculated as specified in regulation 11).
(8) A pensioner member includes a person who would have been entitled to a pension but for regulation 110 (application of abatement policy in individual cases).
(9) But paragraph (8) does not stop a person to whom it applies from also being an active member.
Pension debit member
20A. - (1) The
benefits payable to a pension debit member shall be reduced to take into account
the debit to which the shareable rights of the pension debit member are subject
under a pension sharing order.
(2) The amount of the reduction shall be calculated in
accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary. (SI2000/3025)
Replacement of rights
20B. - (1)
Subject to paragraph (2), a pension debit member who is an active member may not
replace any rights debited as a consequence of a pension sharing order with any
rights which the member would not have been able to acquire (in addition to the
debited rights) had the pension sharing order not been made.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply in
circumstances which the Commissioners of Inland Revenue may stipulate in
relation to "moderate earners" in any taxation exception or concession
made by them from time to time under paragraph 18(10) and (11) of Schedule 10 to
the Finance Act 1999, or otherwise.
(3) For the purpose of this regulation, "moderate
earners" has the meaning in paragraphs (4) to (6) of regulation 5 of the
Retirement Benefits Schemes (Sharing of Pensions on Divorce) Regulations 2000. (SI2000/3025)
Final pay
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21.-(1) A member's final pay for an employment is his
pay for as much of the final pay period as he is entitled to count as active
membership in local government employment (but see paragraphs (3) to (10), regulations
22 and 23(2) and Schedule
4 (SI2006/966)).
(2) A member's final pay period is the year ending with the day on which he stops being an active member (but see paragraph (9) and regulations 22 and 23).
(3) In the case of part-time employment, the final pay is the pay which would have been paid for a single comparable whole-time employment.
(4) But in calculating death grant or the rate of surviving spouse's, civil partner's (SI2005/3069) or children's short-term pension payable on the death of an active member, actual pay in part-time employment is to be used or, in calculating death grant, three eightieths of final pay multiplied by total membership if greater (SI1998/1238).
(5) Any reduction or suspension of a member's pay during the final pay period because of his absence from work owing to illness or injury must be disregarded for this Chapter.
(6) If a member's final pay period includes reserve forces service leave, his final pay is-
(a) in a case where he has paid contributions by virtue of regulation 17(4), the amount it would have been have been if his reserve forces pay were pay received in his former local government employment, or
(b) otherwise, the amount it would have been if he had continued to be employed in his former employment during the period of that leave.
(6A) For the purposes of this Chapter, a member's pay for any period of maternity, paternity or adoption (SI2003/2249) absence during the final pay period in respect of which she pays or is treated as paying contributions is the pay she would have received had she not been absent. (SI2001/1481)
(7) If a member is absent from work for any other reason during his final pay period, he is only to be treated for this Chapter as having received the pay he would otherwise have received if he has made the appropriate contributions under Chapter III for the period he is absent.
(8) If in any case where regulation
13(5) (collective pay agreements) applies to a member's pay during any part
of the final pay period-
(a) his average weekly earnings from his local government employment in that period (other than payments for overtime and bonuses)-
(i) exceed by more than 50 per cent. the lower earnings limit at the end of that period, and
(ii) do not exceed the upper earnings limit at the end of that period, and
(b) his final pay would be greater if determined using those earnings,
it is to be determined using them. (SI2004/573)
(9) If a member is only entitled to count part of the year specified in paragraph (2) as a period of active membership in relation to the employment which he ceases to hold, his final pay is his pay during that part multiplied by 365 and divided by the number of days in that part.
(10) Final pay does not include any pension in payment.
Other final pay periods
22.-(1) Where the whole or part of a member's pay consists of fees, his final pay period for them is not the period specified in regulation 21(2) but-
(a) the period of three years ending with the last day he was an active member; or
(b) any other period he may with the consent of his employing authority elect, being a period of not less than three nor more than five years-
(i) ending with a day which is that last day or of which that last day is the anniversary, and
(ii) falling within the period of 13 years ending with that last day.
(2) But if he was only entitled to receive fees during part of the period mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), that part is substituted for the period referred to in that paragraph.
(3) If a member has been absent from work during any part of the year specified in regulation 21(2), his final pay period is the last 365 days he is entitled to count as a period of active membership.
(4) A member (SI1998/1238) to whom paragraph (4A) applies may elect that instead of his final pay period being determined under regulation 21(2) or paragraph (1), (2) or (3) above, it should instead be-
(a) as respects so much of his pay as does not consist of fees, a year ending with a day-
(i) falling within the period of three years ending with the last day he was an active member, and
(ii) of which that last day is the anniversary; and
(b) as respects so much of his pay as consists of fees, that period of three years.
(4A) This paragraph applies to a member whose pay in the period which he would elect as his final pay period if he made an election under paragraph (4) is higher than his pay in a final pay period determined under regulation 21(2) or paragraph (1), (2) or (3). (SI1998/1238)
(5) Where paragraph (1) or (2) applies or a member elects for the period specified in paragraph (4)(b), as respects so much of his pay as consists of fees his final pay is the annual average of his fees during his final pay period.
(6) An election under this regulation by a member must be made by notice in writing given to the appropriate administering authority before the expiry of the period of one month beginning with the day he is notified of his entitlement to a benefit.
(7) Where a member has died without having made an election under this regulation, the appropriate administering authority may make an election on his behalf (whether or not the period within which he could have elected has expired).
Permanent reductions in pay: certificates of protection of pension benefits
23.-(1) Where a certificate has been issued as respects a member's pay under paragraph (3) or (4) and the date of reduction or, as the case may be, restriction specified in the certificate is not more than 10 years before the date on which he ceases to be an active member, he may elect that his final pay period should be-
(a) a year ending with a day-
(i) falling within the period of five years ending with the last day he was an active member, and
(ii) of which that last day is the anniversary; or
(b) any three consecutive years-
(i) falling within the period of 13 years ending with the last day he was an active member, and
(ii) ending with a day of which that last day is the anniversary.
(2) Where a member elects for the period specified in paragraph (1)(b), his final pay is the annual average of his pay during that period.
(3) If, otherwise than by virtue of a member's own circumstances-
(a) his rate of pay is reduced, or
(b) the rate at which it may be increased is restricted in such a way that it is likely that the rate of his retirement pension will be adversely affected,
he is entitled to be issued with a certificate to that effect by the employing authority (but see paragraph (4)).
(3A) A member is not entitled to be issued with a certificate under this regulation if the reduction in his rate of pay-
(a) is temporary, or
(b) consists in the termination of, or a reduction in, a temporary increase in the rate of pay. (SI1998/1238)
(4) The employing authority may issue a certificate without an application from the member, but need not issue a certificate if he does not apply for one within 12 months after the date of reduction or restriction.
(5) A certificate issued under this regulation must specify the date of the reduction or restriction.
(6) The employing authority must send a copy of the certificate to the member's appropriate administering authority.
(7) The employing authority must keep a record of the certificate including such information as would be necessary for applying paragraph (1) for the period of 10 years beginning with the date of reduction or restriction specified in it.
(8) An election under this regulation by a member must be made by notice in writing given to the appropriate administering authority before the expiry of the period of one month beginning with the date on which he is notified of his entitlement to a benefit.
(9) Where a member has died without having made an election under this regulation, the appropriate administering authority may make an election on his behalf (whether or not the period within which he could have elected has expired).
Revenue limits
24. Schedule 4 contains
restrictions on the amounts of benefits which a member is entitled to under
the Scheme. (SI2007/1488)
Retirement benefits
Normal retirement
25.-(1) If a member who has attained his normal retirement age retires from a local government employment, he is entitled to a pension and retirement grant.
(2) The pension and grant are payable immediately.
(3) The normal retirement date ("NRD")
of a member who was not a member immediately before the commencement
date (SI2001/770) is his 65th birthday.
(3A) But the NRD of a member
who was a member immediately before the commencement date is -
(3A) But the NRD of a member who was a member immediately before the commencement
date is -
(a) his 60th birthday if on the day before that day he has total membership of at least 25 years; or(SI2006/966)
(b) the day after the date on which he first has such total membership if that date is on or after his 60th birthday but before his 65th birthday. (SI2005/1903)
(4) The NRD of a member who was a member immediately
before the commencement date is-
(a) if on the day before his 60th birthday he has total membership of at least 25 years, that birthday;
(b) if the date when he first has such total membership is on or after his 60th birthday but before his 65th birthday, the day after that date; and
(c) otherwise, his 65th birthday.(SI2001/770)
(5) A member's normal retirement age is his age on his NRD.
(6) If a member's NRD or normal retirement age needs
to be determined before he attains that age, it must be assumed that his local
government employment and membership will be continuous.(SI2001/770)
Retirement after the normal retirement date (SI1999/1212)
25A.-(1) A member who with the
consent of his employing authority (SI2007/1488)
remains in service after his 65th birthday is entitled to a pension and retirement
grant when he retires from service.
(2) The pension and retirement grant are payable immediately
on retirement. (SI2006/966)
(2) The pension and retirement grant are payable immediately on retirement or, if earlier, on the day before the member's 75th birthday. (SI2006/966)
(3) A member is not entitled to count any period of service on or after the day before his 75th birthday as a period of membership and is not an active member after that day. (SI2007/1488)
Redundancy etc.
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26.-(1) If-
(a) a member who is aged
505550 (SI2005/1903) (SI2004/3372) or more retires from a local government employment; and(b) his employing authority certify the reason for his retirement was his redundancy,
he is entitled to a pension and retirement grant.
(2) The pension and grant are payable immediately.
(3) But a person who is notified under regulation 15 of the Local Government (Compensation for Redundancy) Regulations 1994 about compensation due because regulation 9 of those Regulations applies to his retirement may waive his right to immediate payment by notice in writing to his employing authority.
(4) In paragraph (1) "redundancy" includes retirement in the interests of efficiency, or because the member held a joint appointment which has been ended because the other holder has left it.
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27.-(1) Where a member leaves a local government employment by reason of being permanently incapable of discharging efficiently the duties of that employment or any other comparable employment with his employing authority (SI1999/1212) because of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body, he is entitled to an ill-health pension and grant.
(2) The pension and grant are payable immediately.
(3) A member-
(a) whose total membership is at least one year, but less than two years, and
(b) to whom no transfer value is credited,
is entitled to an ill-health grant (but not a pension),
unless paragraph (4) applies to him. (SI2004/573)
(4) This paragraph applies to a member if-
(a) he is entitled to any payment out of the appropriate fund (other than an injury allowance under regulation 7 of the Benefit Regulations or a return of contributions),
(b) he has received any payment under Part VI of the Local Government (Discretionary Payments) Regulations 1996, or
(c) he would receive at least as much as the grant if his contributions were returned to him.(SI2004/573)
"comparable employment" means employment in which, when compared with the member's employment-
(a) the contractual provisions as to capacity either are the same or differ only to an extent that is reasonable given the nature of the member's ill-health or infirmity of mind or body; and
(b) the contractual provisions as to place, remuneration, hours of work, holiday entitlement, sickness or injury entitlement and other material terms do not differ substantially from those of the member's employment; and
"permanently incapable" means incapable until, at the earliest, the member's 65th birthday.(SI1999/1212)(SI2004/573)"permanently incapable" means that the member will, more likely than not, be incapable, until, at the earliest, his 65th birthday. (SI2004/573)
Amounts of ill-health pension and grant
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28.-(1) Where the member's total membership is at least 5 years, the multiplier for an ill-health pension or grant is by reference to the member's enhanced membership period instead of his total membership.
(2) A member's enhanced membership period is-
(a) if his total membership is less than 10 years, twice his total membership;
(b) if his total membership is at least 10 years, but not more than 13 122/365 years, 20 years; and
(c) otherwise, his total membership plus 6 243/365 years.
(3) But the enhanced membership period must not exceed 40
years or (SI2007/1488) the total membership
the member would have had if he had continued as an active member until he was
65, whichever is the shorter (SI2007/1488).
(4) If the member became entitled to ill-health benefits
under the Scheme before he was in the employment from which he has retired,
his enhanced membership period must be calculated-
(a) by including in his total membership his total in the previous employment, and
(b) deducting from his total membership the period by which his membership period for that employment was increased for calculating those benefits.(SI2004/573)
(4A) The maximum period which may be added to a member's
total membership period to calculate his enhanced membership period in respect
of all his local government employments is 10 years.(SI1998/1238)
(SI2004/573)
(4) Where a member becomes entitled to a further ill-health pension and grant (because of having been a member in two or more employments), the multiplier for the further ill-health pension and grant will be the total membership without enhancement. (SI2004/573)
(4A) But paragraph 4 does not apply to a member who becomes entitled to a further ill-health pension and grant as a result of being in concurrent employments which cease simultaneously. (SI2004/573)
(5) Where membership includes membership in part-time employment,
the enhanced membership period must be calculated by first working out what
it would be if the employment were all whole-time, and then reducing the resulting
period by multiplying it (SI2002/206) by
the appropriate fraction (but see paragraph (8) but see paragraphs (5A)
and (8) (SI2002/206)).
(5A) The member's enhanced membership period must not be reduced below that which is calculated by reference to his membership in whole-time employment, disregarding his membership in part-time employment. (SI2002/206)
(6) The appropriate fraction is the fraction of which the numerator is the member's total membership and the denominator is the period which would be his total membership if his employment had all been whole-time.
(7) In the case of a member in part-time employment with non-cyclical fluctuating contractual hours, that fraction must be determined by making separate calculations for each period over which averaging of the member's hours occurs in calculating his contractual hours.
(8) If the member's total membership includes a period of at least 13 122/365 years in whole-time employment, paragraph (5) does not apply.
(9) If a member is entitled under regulation
27(3) to an ill-health grant (but not a pension), the multiplier for the
grant is-
the member's total membership.
12(SI2004/573)
Re-employed pensioners
29.-(1) Where a member is entitled to two
retirement pensions because of having been a member in two employments which
were not concurrent, he may elect for a single new pension.
(2) If he elects, he becomes entitled to a single retirement
pension and retirement grant, each calculated by reference to the augmented
period (but see paragraph (7)).
(3) The augmented period is the member's total membership
in the later employment, increased by the period which would have been aggregated
if he had made an election under regulation 32(1) as respects
his earlier employment when he became an active member in his later employment.
(4) But if the retirement pension from the earlier employment
was calculated using a longer period of membership than the period which is
the augmented period under paragraph (3), the longer period is the augmented
period for paragraph (2).
(5) No election may be made if the pension for the earlier
employment-
(a) is paid under regulation 31 and subject to a reduction, or
(b) is an EPB pension.
(6) The member must set off any retirement grant he received
because of his membership in the earlier employment ("the first grant")
against the retirement grant under this regulation and, if it was greater, repay
the difference between the grants to the new authority.
(7) Any additional period which did not count in the calculation
of the first grant because of regulation 54(3),
does not count in calculating the retirement grant under this regulation either.
(8) Any surrender of the pension from the earlier employment
operates to the same extent on the single pension, but the surrendered pension
is payable by the new authority.
(9) Where the later retirement is one to which regulation
27 (ill-health) applies and the member does not become entitled to a single
pension-
(a) if his earlier pension is also payable under that regulation and he gave notice under paragraph 4 of Schedule 9 to the 1986 Regulations when he left the earlier employment, regulation 28(1) does not apply (and so his total membership without enhancement is used for the multiplier for the later pension); but
(b) if his earlier pension is not payable under that regulation, the membership enhancement period is 6 243/365 years more than his total membership.(SI2004/573)
Re-employed pensioners
29. Where a pensioner member becomes an active member again, his former membership shall be taken into account only for the purpose of calculating -
(a) whether he has the necessary total membership referred to in -
(i) regulation 19(1)(a) to be entitled to benefits under this Chapter; and
(ii) regulation 28(1) to be entitled to calculate his ill-health pension and grant by reference to the enhanced membership period;and
(b) total membership in regulation 52 (power of employing authority to increase total membership).(SI2007/1488)
(2) Where a member to whom benefits are paid in accordance with regulation 35(1A) continues to accrue membership after the date on which payment of such benefits takes effect ("the payment date"), his membership prior to the payment date shall only be taken into account after the payment date for the purpose of making the calculations referred to in paragraph (1). (SI2007/1488) LGPC Note: Sub paragraph (2) inserted by SI2007/1488 cross-refers to sub paragraph (1) which does not exist. Readers may wish to assume the insertion of "(1)" after "29".
Further provisions about elections
under regulation 29
30.-(1) An election under regulation
29 must be made by giving notice in writing to the new authority.
(2) The new authority is the appropriate administering authority
for the pension from the later employment.
(3) The election must be made before the expiry of the period
of three months beginning with the date the member becomes entitled to the pension
for the later employment and has effect from that date.
(4) If a member does not repay any amount due under paragraph
(6) of regulation 29 before the expiry of the period of
three months beginning with the date he elects, his election is void (and so
he is not entitled to the single pension). (SI2004/573)
Other early leavers: deferred retirement benefits and elections for early payment
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31.-(1) If a member leaves a local government employment
(or is treated for these regulations as if he had done so) before he is entitled
to the immediate payment of retirement benefits (apart from this regulation),
once he is aged 50 55 50 (SI2005/1903)
(SI2004/3372) or more he may elect to receive
payment of them immediately.
(2) An election made by a member aged less than 60 is ineffective without the consent of his employing authority or former employing authority (but see paragraph (6)).
(3) If the member elects, he is entitled to a pension and retirement grant payable immediately.
(4) If the sum-
(a) of the member's age in whole years on the date his local government employment ends or the date he elects, if later,
(b) of his total membership in whole years, and
(c) in a case where he elects after his local government employment ends, of the period beginning with the end of that employment and ending with the date he elects,
is less than 85 years, (SI2004/3372)
If the sum-
(a) of the member's age in whole years on the date his local government employment ends or the date he elects, if later,
(b) of his total membership in whole years, and
(c) in a case where he elects after his local government employment ends, of the period beginning with the end of that employment and ending with the date he elects,
is less than 85 years, (SI2006/966)
(SI2005/1903) his retirement pension and grant must be reduced by the amounts
shown as appropriate in guidance issued by
the Government Actuary (but see paragraphs (5) and (6) and regulation
36(5) (GMPs)).
(5) A member's appropriate employing authority may determine on compassionate grounds that his retirement pension and grant should not be reduced under paragraph (4).
(6) If a member who has left a local government employment before he is entitled to the immediate payment of retirement benefits (apart from this regulation) becomes permanently incapable of discharging efficiently the duties of that employment because of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body-
(a) he may elect under paragraph (1) before attaining the age of 50, and(SI1998/1238)(a) he may elect to receive payment of the retirement benefits immediately, whatever his age, and (SI1998/1238)
(b) paragraphs (2) and (4) do not apply.
(7) Subject to paragraph (7A) (SI2006/966)
If a member does not elect for immediate payment under this regulation, he is
entitled to receive a pension and grant payable from his NRD without
reduction without reduction, payable from his NRD or from such earlier
date on or after his 60th birthday as the member elects on which the sum of
the items referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (4) is 85 years
or more. (SI2001/770) (SI2004/3372)
(7A) A member who continues to be employed by a Scheme employer listed in Schedule 2 is only entitled to receive a pension and grant without reduction payable from his NRD if his employer consents to his doing so. (SI2006/966)
(8) An election under paragraph (1) must be made by notice in writing to the member's Scheme employer.
Re-employed and rejoining deferred members
32.-(1) Where a deferred member becomes an active member again before becoming entitled to the immediate payment of retirement benefits in respect of his former membership, he may elect to have his former membership aggregated with his membership on or after the date he becomes an active member again.
(1A) But a member cannot elect to aggregate any period of former membership which he could have elected to aggregate with another period of former membership but did not before the expiry of the period in paragraph (8A). (SI2004/573)
(2) But an election may only be made by a Class B member
as respects former Class B membership or Class C membership and an election
may only be made by a Class C member as respects former Class C membership.
(SI2003/1022)
(2) But an election may only be made -
(3) Where a member elects under paragraph (1)-
(a) he ceases to be entitled to rights under the Scheme in respect of his former membership (except in so far as he is entitled by virtue of having become an active member again to rights in respect of the aggregated total membership); and
(b) he ceases to count as a deferred member for these Regulations as respects his former membership (unless he becomes a deferred member again after ceasing to be an active member).
(4) Where an election under paragraph (1) is made by a member who has ceased to be an active member more than once, the election may be made as respects his total membership at each of the times he so ceased or only as respects such of those periods of membership as are specified in the election.
(5) Where a member who may elect under paragraph (1) does not do so or does not elect as respects all periods of his membership-
(a) in applying regulations
19(1), 20(2) and (3), 27(3), 28(1) and (2) and 31(4)20(2) and (3), 28(2),and29and 31(4)and 292929and 31(4)(SI2006/966) (SI2005/1903) (SI2004/3372) (SI2001/770) as respects any later membership, his total membership excludes unaggregated periods,and(SI2001/770)(aa) for the purpose only of calculating whether the member has the necessary total membership -
(i) referred to in regulation 19(1) (a) to be entitled to benefits under this Chapter,
(ii) referred to in regulation 27(3)(a) to be entitled to an ill-health grant, or
(iii) referred to in regulation 28(1)
the unaggregated periods of membership shall be taken into account, and (SI2001/770)(SI2004/573)(aa) for the purpose only of calculating -
(i) whether the member has the necessary total membership referred to in regulation 19(1)(a) to be entitled to benefits under this Chapter and regulation 28(1) to be entitled to calculate his ill-health pension and grant by reference to the enhanced membership period; and
(ii) total membership in regulation 52 (power of employing authority to increase total membership),
the unaggregated periods of membership shall be taken into account, and (SI2004/573)
(b) as respects each unaggregated period of his former membership-
(i) paragraph (3) does not apply,
(ii) he shall continue to be treated as a deferred member or, as the case may be, as a pensioner member (and not as an active member), and
(iii) he shall be entitled to the same rights as if he were not also an active member (but subject to regulation 34 and, in the case of a pensioner member, to regulation 29);
and references in these provisions to his appropriate administering authority or appropriate fund shall be construed accordingly.
(6) For this regulation a period of membership is an unaggregated period if-
(a) no previous election has been made under this regulation for its aggregation, and
(b) in the case of a period as respects which the member was entitled to elect under regulation D12(1)(c) of the 1995 regulations (elections to remain entitled to preserved benefits) or any previous corresponding provision of the Scheme, such an election was made.
(7) An election under paragraph (1) must be made by notice in writing to the member's appropriate administering authority in the employment in which he becomes an active member again whilst he is an active member in that employment.
(8) If the appropriate fund for membership in the new employment is different from that for any former employment as respects which the member is making the election, the notice under paragraph (7) must also be given to his appropriate administering authority in that former employment.
(8A) The notice under paragraph (7) must be given before the expiry of the period of 12 months beginning with the date that he became an active member again (or such longer period as his employer may allow). (SI2004/573)
(9) References in this regulation to former membership
include all membership which the member was entitled to count as total
membership immediately before he ceased his former active membership (but
excluding any unaggregated period) (SI2001/770).
(10) Where a person ceases to be an active member in one
employment and immediately becomes an active member in another employment with
a different Scheme employer (SI1998/1238),
for paragraph (1) of this regulation he shall be treated as if he were a
deferred member as respects the first employment, despite never having ceased to
be an active member of the Scheme.
(11) (SI1999/3438) In the
case of a member who first becomes a member on or after 13th January 2000 any
period of membership in the employment of a non-associated admission body (as
defined in regulation 5(17)(e)) shall not
be aggregated with any other periods of membership for the purpose of calculating
his retirement grant. (SI2003/3004)
(11) In the case of a member who first becomes a member on
or after 13th January 2000 any period of membership in the employment of a community
admission body within -
shall not be aggregated with any other periods of membership for the purpose of calculating his retirement grant. (SI2003/3004)
Concurrent employments (SI2001/770)
32A. - (1) Where a
person -
(a) ceases to be an active member in one employment in respect of which he
has at least two years' three months' (SI2004/573)
total membership ("the first employment"); and
(b) continues as an active member in another employment he held concurrently
with the first employment
he may elect to have his former membership in respect of the first employment
aggregated with his membership in that other employment.
(2) If he so elects, the provisions of regulation
32 shall apply as if references to -
(3) In the case of a person to whom this regulation
applies, the period of membership which will be aggregated with his membership
from the concurrent employment will be equal to his membership from his first
employment, as reduced under regulation 11(4) if
the first employment was part-time, multiplied by the fraction -
whole-time rate of pay in the first employment whole-time rate of pay in concurrent employment |
Surrenders of pension
33.-(1) A member may apply to the appropriate administering
authority to surrender part of the retirement pension which is or may become
payable to him, so that, if he is survived by his spouse, civil partner (SI2005/3069)
or a dependant of his ("the beneficiary"), the equivalent value of
that part is paid instead to the beneficiary under this regulation.
(2) The application must be made in the period of one month
ending with or one month beginning with the date on which the member retires.
(3) The authority must allow the application if they think
the member is in good health.
(4) The surrender must not result in a pension being paid
to the beneficiary of less than such amount as is specified in guidance
issued for this paragraph by the Government Actuary.
(5) The aggregate amount surrendered must not-
(a) result in the reduction of the retirement pension to less than the pension which would become payable to the beneficiary, or
(b) exceed one third of the retirement pension.
(6) On the death of the member the beneficiary becomes entitled
to a pension at a rate equivalent to the value of the surrender in the beneficiary's
favour at the time when the surrender was made.
(7) The equivalent rate is such rate as is indicated in
guidance issued by the Government Actuary.
(8) If the surrender is allowed, it has effect from the
date the member retires from his employment.
(9) But it does not take effect if the beneficiary or member
dies before that date, and it ceases to have effect if the beneficiary dies
before the member. (SI2006/966)
No double entitlement.
34.-(1) Where (apart from this regulation) any member would be entitled to a pension or retirement grant under two or more regulations by reason of the same period of membership-
(a) he may elect under which provision he is to be paid those benefits; and
(b) if he does not elect, the employing authority may notify him in writing of the provision.
(2) An election by a member must be by notice in writing, given to the employing authority before the expiry of the period of three months beginning with the day on which he becomes entitled to elect.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not affect the member's rights under the Pension Schemes Act 1993.
Requirements as to time of payment
35.-(1) Retirement benefits under this Chapter may not be paid to a person before he has retired from the employment in which he was a member.
(1A) But where, after 5th April 2006, a member who has attained the age of 50, with his employer's consent, reduces the hours he works, or the grade in which he is employed, he may elect in writing to the appropriate administering authority and such benefits may, with his employer's consent, (SI2006/2008) be paid to him notwithstanding that he has not retired from that employment. (SI2006/966)
(1B) If the payment of benefits referred to in paragraph (1A) takes effect before the member's 65th birthday, the benefits payable are reduced in accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary. (SI2006/966)
(1C) But the employer may choose to waive, in whole or in part, any such reduction. (SI2006/966)
(1D) Where the employer so chooses, it shall pay to the fund the cost incurred as a result of such waiver as calculated by the fund's actuary. (SI2006/966)
(1E) Any benefits paid following an election under paragraph
(1A) are not subject to abatement under regulation
110 in respect of any subsequent employment with the person who is his employer
at the date of his election. (SI2006/966)
(2) But they In any event, retirement benefits under
this Chapter (SI2006/966) must begin to
be paid not later than the member's 75th birthday even if he has not retired
(and see also regulation 36(3)).
Guaranteed minimum pensions etc.
36.-(1) Where a member's local government employment is contracted-out employment and he has a guaranteed minimum in relation to service before 6th April 1997, from the date he attains state pensionable age he is entitled to a pension at a weekly rate equal to not less than that guaranteed minimum.
(2) But if the member attains state pensionable age while in local government employment, he is not so entitled until he leaves that employment, unless paragraph (3) applies.
(3) If the member-
(a) continues in the same employment for a further period of five years after attaining state pensionable age; and
(b) does not then leave it,
he is entitled from the end of that period to so much of his retirement pension as equals that guaranteed minimum (unless he consents to a postponement of the entitlement).
(4) For paragraph (1), a person has a guaranteed minimum if he has such a minimum under section 14 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 in relation to benefits under these Regulations.
(5) A person's retirement pension is not to be reduced under regulation 31(4) to less than the aggregate of-
(a) any minimum rate of equivalent pension benefits applicable under the Insurance Acts, and
(b) one eightieth of his final pay (expressed as an annual rate), multiplied by the length in years of the whole period of his membership in contracted-out employment during the period beginning with the relevant date and ending with 30th April 1995.
(6) In paragraph (5) "the relevant date" means-
(a) in the case of a man, 17th May 1990; and
(b) in the case of a woman, 6th April 1978.
(7) Where a person's local government employment is or was
contracted-out employment, a surrender under regulation 33
(together with any previous surrenders) must not result in the annual rate of
the retirement pension being less than one eightieth of his final pay multiplied
by the length in years of the whole period of his membership in contracted-out
employment beginning with the relevant date and ending with 30th April 1995.
(8) Where a person making a surrender under regulation
33 has a guaranteed minimum, the surrender (together with any previous surrenders)
must not result in the weekly rate of the retirement pension being less than
the guaranteed minimum.
(9) Where a person making a surrender under regulation
33-
(a) is in local government employment,
(b) has attained normal retirement age, and
(c) has total membership of at least two years three months (SI2004/573) or a transfer value credited to him,
references in paragraphs (7) and (8) to the retirement pension
are references to the retirement pension which would become payable if he ceased
to hold his employment on the day the surrender takes effect. (SI2006/966)
(10) This regulation overrides any provision in these Regulations to the extent to which it conflicts with it, except-
(a) regulation 49 (commutation);
(b) regulation 110 (application of abatement policy in individual cases);
(c) regulation 111 (forfeiture); and
(d) regulation 112 (interim payments directions).
Revaluation of guaranteed minimum
37.-(1) Where the guaranteed minimum of a person who has ceased to be an active member is appropriately secured, his earnings factors for the purposes of section 14(2) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 must be determined-
(a) by reference to the last order under section 21 of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 or section 148 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (revaluation orders) to come into force before the end of the tax year in which he ceased to be an active member; and
(b) without reference to the last such order to come into force before the end of the final relevant year.
(2) For such a person the weekly equivalent mentioned in section 14(2) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 is to be increased-
(a) by at least the prescribed percentage for each relevant year after the end of the tax year in which he ceased to be an active member, and
(b) in accordance with such additional requirements as may be prescribed for the purposes of section 16(3) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993.
(3) In this regulation-
"appropriately secured" has the meaning given in section 19 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993;
"final relevant year" has the meaning given in section 16(5) of that Act;
"relevant year" has the meaning given in section 14(8) of that Act; and
"prescribed percentage" has the meaning given in regulation 62 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) Regulations 1996.
Death grants
Death grants
Click Here to view Appeal Determinations on this Regulation
38.-(1) If a member dies before his 75th birthday (SI2007/1488), the administering authority at their absolute discretion (SI1998/1238) may make payments to or for the benefit of the member's nominee or personal representatives (SI1998/1238) or any person appearing to the authority to have been his relative or dependant at any time.
(2) The aggregate amount paid under paragraph (1) must not exceed the member's death grant.
(3) The multiplier for an active member's death grant is 2.
(4) The multiplier for a deferred member's death grant is
the same as for his retirement grant.
(5) The multiplier for a pensioner member's death grant is 5, but the amount so calculated is reduced by the amounts of any retirement pension paid to him.
(5A) The multiplier for the death grant of a member who remains in service after his 65th birthday as referred to in regulation 25A(1) is whichever of-
(a) 2, or
(b)
3 � the member's total membership
80gives the greater amount. (SI1999/1212)
(6) If the administering authority have not made payments
under paragraph (1) equalling in aggregate the member's death grant before the
expiry of the period of 2 years beginning with his death, they must pay an
amount equal to the shortfall to the member's personal representatives. (SI 2008/2425)
(6) If the administering authority have not made payments under paragraph (1) equalling in aggregate the member’s death grant before the expiry of two years—
(a) beginning with his death or
(b) beginning with the date on which the administering authority could reasonably be expected to have become aware of the member’s death,
they must pay an amount equal to the shortfall to the member’s personal representatives. (SI2008/2425)
(7) For these Regulations, any payments made under paragraph (1) must be treated as payments made by way of death grant.
Regulation 39 omitted by (SI2002/206)
Reduction of death grants: re-employed pensioners
39.-(1) If-
(a) after the deceased became entitled to a pension under the Scheme ("the previous pension") he entered further local government employment,
(b) on leaving the further employment he became entitled to a pension ("the additional pension") but not to a single pension by making an election under regulation 29, and
(c) his entitlement to the previous or additional pension was by virtue of an election under regulation 31,
the death grant payable because of his membership in the
further employment must be reduced (or extinguished) to the extent necessary
to prevent his total pension benefits exceeding (or further exceeding) his relevant
final pay.
(2) A person's total pension benefits are the total of-
(a) every death grant and all pension payments made as respects his previous pension (including increases under the Pensions Increase Act 1971 and the Pensions Increase Act 1974), and
(b) all pension payments made as respects his additional pension (including such increases).
(3) A person's relevant final pay is the greater of-
(a) the final pay used for calculating his previous pension (adjusted for inflation), and
(b) the final pay used for calculating his additional pension.
(4) The pay for an employment must be adjusted for inflation
by calculating the amount to which it would have increased if it were an official
pension becoming payable from the end of that employment. (SI2002/206)
Surviving spouses' pensions
Surviving spouse's short-term pension.
Surviving spouse's or civil partner's pensions (SI2005/3069)
Surviving spouse's or civil partner's short-term pension (SI2005/3069)
40.-(1) If an active or pensioner member dies
leaving a surviving spouse, the spouse is entitled to a short-term pension.
(2) It is payable for three months after the member's death.
(3) But if there are eligible children in the spouse's care,
it is payable for a further three months. (SI2005/3069)
40. —(1) If an active or pensioner member dies
leaving a surviving spouse or civil partner, the spouse or civil partner is
entitled to a short-term pension. (SI2005/3069)
(2) It is payable for three months after the member's death.
(SI2005/3069)
(3) But if there are eligible children in the spouse's or civil partner's care, it is payable for a further three months. (SI2005/3069)
(4) Where the deceased was an active member, the short-term pension is equal to the deceased's final pay.
(5) Where the deceased was a pensioner member, the short-term pension is equal to his retirement pension immediately before the death (but see regulation 42).
(6) In this regulation "pensioner member" includes a person whose retirement pension has been commuted under regulation 50 (exceptional ill-health).
(7) If there is more than one surviving spouse, they become jointly entitled under paragraph (1).
Surviving spouse's or civil partner's (SI2005/3069) long-term pension.
41.-(1) If a member dies leaving a surviving spouse,
the spouse is entitled to a spouse's long-term pension. (SI2005/3069)
(1) If a member dies leaving a surviving spouse or civil partner, the spouse or civil partner is entitled to a spouse's or civil partner's long-term pension. (SI2005/3069)
(2) If the deceased was an active or pensioner member, the long-term pension is payable from the end of the period for which the short-term pension is payable.
(3) The long-term pension payable on a deferred member's death is payable from the death.
(4) If the deceased was an active member with a total membership
of at least two years three months (SI2004/573),
the long-term pension is equal to half the ill-health pension to which the deceased
would have been entitled under regulation 27 if he had
become entitled to a pension under that regulation on the date he died.
(5) If the deceased was an active member with a total membership
of less than two years three months (SI2004/573)
or a deferred member, the multiplier for the long-term pension is-
the deceased's total membership
160
(but see regulation 42).
(5A) But where the deceased was a deferred member and a pension debit member, the long-term pension is equal to half the pension to which the deceased would have been entitled under regulation 25 if he had become entitled to a pension under that regulation on the date that he died (but see regulation 42). (SI2000/3025)
(6) If the deceased was a pensioner member, the long-term pension is equal to half his retirement pension immediately before the date of death or half his pension before any commutation under regulation 20(3A), whichever is the greater (SI2006/966) (but see regulation 42).
(7) If there is more than one surviving spouse, they become jointly entitled under paragraph (1).
Reduction of some surviving spouses' pensions
42.-(1) Where a male pensioner member or deferred member marries and dies, the pension to which his widow is entitled under regulation 40 or 41 is calculated as if his retirement pension were only so much of his actual pension as is attributable to the period of his membership in contracted-out employment after 5th April 1978.
(2) Except in the case of a short term pension payable to the widower of an active member, the pension to which a widower is entitled under regulation 40 or 41 is calculated as if the member's retirement pension were only so much of her actual pension as is attributable to her membership after 5th April 1988.
(3) But relevant additional membership also counts as membership after that date where the widower was married to the member at some time while she was in local government employment after 31st March 1972 (SI1998/1238).
(4) Relevant additional membership is membership-
(a) forming the enhanced element of a member's total period of membership by virtue of a retirement to which regulation 28 applied after 5th April 1988,
(b) added by virtue of a resolution under Chapter II of Part III or regulation 143 of these regulations or under the Transitional Regulations after that date,
(c) counted by reason of a payment made under Chapter III of Part III or paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 after that date (or treated by the Transitional Regulations as so made),
(d) treated as membership after that date by virtue of the Transitional Regulations, or
(e) attributable to a transfer value accepted by the Scheme after that date.
Calculation of pension for surviving civil partners
42A For the purpose of calculating the pension to which a surviving civil
partner is entitled under regulation 40 or 41
(surviving spouse's or civil partner's short-term or long-term pension) account
shall only be taken of the deceased member's membership after 5th April 1988.
This shall include relevant additional membership (as defined in regulation
42(4)). (SI2005/3069)
Marriage of a same sex couple (SI2014/560)
42B - (1) Subject to regulation 42D (SI2014/3061) in this Scheme—
(a) a reference to civil partnership is to be read as including a reference to marriage of a same sex couple,
(b) a reference to civil partners is to be read as including a reference to a married same sex couple, and
(c) a reference to a person who is in a civil partnership is to be read as including a reference to a person who is married to a person of the same sex.
(2) Where paragraph (1) requires a reference to be read in a particular way, any related reference (such as a reference to a civil partnership that has ended, or a reference to a person whose civil partnership has ended) is to be read accordingly.
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) it does not matter how a reference is expressed.
(4) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 does not apply to the interpretation of this Scheme.
(5) Section 11(1) and (2) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 to, that Act have effect subject to paragraphs (1) to (3).
Living together as a same sex couple (SI2014/560)
42C.—(1) In this Scheme—
(a) a reference to persons who are not in a civil partnership but are living together as civil partners is to be read as including a reference to a same sex couple who are not married but are living together as a married couple, and
(b) a reference to a person who is living with another person as if they were in a civil partnership is to be read as including a reference to a person who is living with another person of the same sex as if they were married.
(2) Where paragraph (1) requires a reference to be read in a particular way, any related reference (such as a reference to persons formerly living together as civil partners) is to be read accordingly.
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) it does not matter how a reference is expressed.
(4) Paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 does not apply to the interpretation of this Scheme.
(5) Section 11(1) and (2) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 to, that Act have effect subject to paragraphs (1) to (3).
Continuation of marriage where Scheme member acquires new legal gender (SI2014/3061)
42D. Where—
(a) a deceased Scheme member was a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and
(b) at the time of the member’s death, she was married to a woman and that marriage subsisted before the time when the certificate was issued, the Scheme member’s widow is to be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as if the certificate had not been issued.
Surviving spouse's or civil partner's guaranteed minimum pension. (SI2005/3069)
43.-(1) If the GMP rule applies, the pension to which a person is entitled under regulation 40 or 41 must be not less than the surviving spouse's or civil partner's guaranteed minimum. (SI2005/3069)
(2) The GMP rule applies if-
(a) the employment in which the deceased was a member was contracted-out employment; and
(b) he had a guaranteed minimum in relation to benefits under these Regulations.
(3) Paragraph (1) overrides any contrary provision in these Regulations except-
(a) regulation 49 (commutation of small pensions);
(b) regulation 111 (forfeiture); and
(c) regulation 112 (interim payments directions).
Children's pensions
Meaning of "eligible child".
Click Here to view Appeal Determinations on this Regulation
44.-(1) The eligible child of
a deceased member is-
(a) the deceased's legitimate or adopted child, or
(b) a child who was wholly or mainly dependent on the deceased at the time of his death.(SI2001/770)
(a) the deceased's legitimate or adopted child, or
(b) a child who was wholly or mainly dependent on the deceased at the time of his death or, where the child is born after the member's death, who would have been so dependent if he had been born before or on the date of the deceased member's death,
but does not include a child who was born on or after the first anniversary
of the date of the deceased's death. (SI2001/770)
(2) Subject to paragraph (2A) (SI2006/966)
A person only counts as a child if-
(a) he is aged under 17,
(b) since he became 17 he has been engaged continuously in full-time education or in training for a trade, profession or vocation, or
(c) he is physically or mentally incapacitated and became so whilst a child within paragraph (a) or (b).
(2A) Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(b), a pension coming into
payment on or after 5th April 2006 which would otherwise be payable by virtue
of that paragraph shall only continue while the child is aged under 23. (SI2006/966)
(3) If an appropriate administering authority wish, they may
treat education or training as continuous despite a break. (SI2008/2425)
44.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the child of a deceased member is an eligible child if he is wholly or mainly dependent on the member, and is less than 18 years of age, at the date of the member’s death.
(2) But a child who is born on or after the first anniversary of the date of the member’s death is not an eligible child.
(3) A dependent child who has reached the age of 18 but has not reached the age of 23 and is in full-time education or undertaking vocational training at the date of the member’s death is an eligible child.
(4) An appropriate administering authority may treat a dependent child as an eligible child after he reaches the age of 18 and until he reaches the age of 23 if he commences full time education or vocational training after the date of the member’s death.
(5) In the case of a dependent child falling within paragraph (4), an appropriate administering authority may —
(a) treat education or training as continuous despite a break; and
(b) suspend payment of any entitlement to benefits under regulation 45, 46 and 47 of the 1997 Regulations during a break in education or training.
6) An appropriate administering authority may treat a dependent child who is disabled within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as an eligible child. (SI2008/2425)
Children's short-term pensions
45.-(1) If an active or pensioner member dies leaving one or more eligible children, they are entitled to a children's short-term pension.
(2) If a short-term pension is payable to a surviving spouse or civil partner (SI2005/3069) under regulation 40, the children's short-term pension is payable only for three months after the death.
(3) Otherwise, it is payable for six months after the death.
(4) Where the deceased was an active member, the pension is equal to the deceased's final pay.
(5) Where the deceased was a pensioner member, the pension is equal to his retirement pension immediately before the death.
(5A) But in the case of a pensioner member who was a pension debit member, the pension is calculated by reference to the retirement pension to which the deceased would have been entitled had his shareable rights not been subject to a pension debit. (SI2000/3025)
(6) If a short-term pension is payable to a surviving spouse or civil partner (SI2005/3069) under regulation 40, the child's short-term pension is reduced by that pension if the child is in the care of the surviving spouse or civil partner. (SI1998/1238) (SI2005/3069)
(7) Where, if a children's long-term pension and a surviving spouse's or civil partner's (SI2005/3069) long-term pension were payable instead of short-term pensions, that would result in a greater aggregate pension, long-term pensions shall be payable instead of short-term pensions.
(8) Where-
(a) a children's short-term pension is payable for a child who is not in the care of a person to whom a short-term pension is payable (or would be payable apart from paragraph (7)), and
(b) a children's long-term pension would be greater,
the long-term pension shall be payable instead of the short-term pension.
(9) In this regulation "pensioner member" includes a person whose retirement pension has been commuted under regulation 50 (exceptional ill-health).
Children's long-term pensions.
46.-(1) If a member dies leaving one or more eligible children, they are entitled to a children's long-term pension.
(2) If the deceased was an active or pensioner member, it is payable from the end of the period for which the short-term pension is payable.
(3) The pension payable on a deferred member's death is payable from the death.
(4) An eligible child ceases to be entitled to a long-term pension when he ceases to be a child within regulation 44(2).
(5) If the deceased was an active member, the pension is the appropriate fraction of the pension to which he would have been entitled if on the date of death he had become entitled under regulation 27(1) (ill-health).
(6) If the deceased was a deferred member, the pension is the appropriate fraction of the amount of the pension to which he would have been entitled if on the date of death he had become entitled under regulation 25 (normal retirement).
(7) If the deceased was a pensioner member, the pension is the appropriate fraction of his retirement pension or of his pension before any commutation under regulation 20(3A), whichever is the greater (SI2006/2008).
(7A) But in the case of a member who was a pension debit member, the pension is calculated by reference to the pension to which the deceased would have been entitled had his shareable rights not been subject to a pension debit. (SI2000/3025)
(8) If, apart from this paragraph, the calculation of the long-term pension would be based on a member's retirement pension calculated on the basis of membership of less than-
(a) 10 years, or
(b) the period he would have been entitled to count if his active membership had continued until his 65th birthday,
(whichever is the shorter), then that period should be used instead in calculating it.
(9) The appropriate fractions are-
(a) where there is one eligible child-
(i) if a surviving spouse's or civil partner's (SI2005/3069) long-term pension is payable
and the child is in the care of the spouse(SI1998/1238), one quarter,(ii) otherwise one-third;
(b) where there is more than one eligible child-
(i) if a surviving spouse's or civil partner's (SI2005/3069) long-term pension is payable, one half,
(ii) otherwise two-thirds.
(10) If a child in full-time training for a trade, profession or vocation is receiving pay at an annual rate exceeding the training rate-
(a) the pension is reduced by the excess, but
(b) if the pension would be greater without the child, he need not be counted.
(11) In paragraph (10) "the training rate" means the current annual rate of an official pension which began to be paid on 1st April 1994 at an annual rate of �1450.
Discretions as to payment of children's pensions.
47.-(1) If a children's pension is payable for more than one eligible child, the appropriate administering authority may apportion it amongst the children as they think fit.
(2) The appropriate administering authority may pay the whole or part of a children's pension to a person other than an eligible child, to be applied for the benefit of one or more eligible children as the authority direct.
Dependants of re-employed pensioners
48.-(1) If-
(a) after a member became entitled to an unreduced retirement pension, he entered further local government employment in which he died, and
(b) assuming that immediately before he died he had retired from the further employment, he would have been entitled to elect under regulation 29 for a single pension,
the benefits payable under the Scheme on his death (except
short-term pensions) and any surrendered benefits must be calculated in the
case of each beneficiary using whichever of assumptions A and B gives that beneficiary
the most favourable benefits.
(2) Assumption A is that the deceased did so retire and
assumption B is that he did so retire and so elect.
(3) An unreduced retirement pension is a pension which is
not reduced under regulation 31(4) (early leavers).
(4) If after a member became entitled to a relevant pension,
he entered further local government employment in which he died, the benefits
payable under the Scheme on his death (except short-term pensions) must be calculated
on assumption A.
(5) A relevant pension is a superannuation allowance under
Part 1 of the Act of 1937
or a pension under the former regulations, a local Act scheme, or a retirement
pension under the 1974 regulations, the 1986 regulations, the 1995 regulations
or these Regulations, which was reduced or suspended on account of the further
employment.
(6) Where-
(a) a member dies in a new employment, and
(b) assuming he had retired from it on the date he died, he would have been entitled to a retirement pension under this Chapter (whether payable immediately or not),
the short-term pension under regulation
40 is the sum of-
(i) his final pay in the new employment, and
(ii) the rate at which his retirement pension from his former employment is payable (after taking into account any reduction under regulation 110 (application of abatement policy in individual cases)).
(7) Where a member dies in a new employment, the long-term
pension under regulation 41 is the greater of amount A
or amount B.
(8) Amount A is half the sum of-
(a) the member's retirement pension, and
(b) the retirement pension to which he would have been entitled if on the date of death he had become entitled to a pension under regulation 27(1) (ill-health) from the new employment.
(9) Amount B is half the retirement pension to which the
member would have been entitled if on the date of death he had become entitled
under regulation 27(1) and had elected under regulation
29 for a single pension.
(10) Amount A and amount B are both to be calculated on
the basis that the retirement pensions have not been-
(a) reduced by virtue of a surrender under regulation 33; or
(b) increased under regulation 54 (effect of increases under Chapter II of Part III for older members).(SI 2004/573)
Commutation
Commutation: small pensions
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49.-(1) If the annual rate of the retirement pension
which a member who has attained state pensionable age is entitled to be paid
is not more than �195, the appropriate administering authority may pay him a
lump sum representing the capital value of the pension. (SI2007/1488)
(1) A lump sum which is a trivial commutation lump sum within the meaning of section 166 of the Finance Act 2004 or a trivial commutation lump sum death benefit within the meaning of section 168 of that Act may be paid in accordance with the rules relating to the payment of such benefits under that Act. (SI2007/1488)
(1A) Any payment under paragraph (1) must be calculated in accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary. (SI2008/2425)
(2) The appropriate administering authority may also pay
a lump sum representing the capital value of a long-term pension which is payable
to any surviving spouse or civil partner (SI2005/3069)
or to or in respect of an eligible child or children, if the annual rate does
not exceed �260.
(3) If a member is entitled to more than one retirement
pension under the Scheme or more than one long-term pension is payable under
the Scheme following a deceased member's death, a lump sum is only payable if
the aggregate amount payable to that member or following that death is less
than �195 or, as the case may be, �260.
(4) Any increase payable under the Pensions (Increase) Act
1971 in respect of a pension must be included in its annual rate.
(5) The capital value of a pension must be calculated as
shown in guidance issued by the Government
Actuary.
(6) Where a payment is made in respect of a retirement pension,
a payment representing the capital value of any long-term pension, which would
be payable to the member's spouse or civil partner (SI2005/3069)
if that spouse or civil partner (SI2005/3069)
survived the member, must also be made. (SI2007/1488)
(7) The payment of a lump sum in respect of a pension discharges
the appropriate administering authority from their liability for it and,
where the payment is made to a member, for any short-term or long-term pensions
which may become payable on his death or any other benefit payable under
the Scheme in respect of the member. (SI2007/1488)
(8) The appropriate administering authority must deduct
from any payment under this regulation any tax to which they may become chargeable
under section 599 of the Taxes Act. (SI2007/1488)
Commutation: exceptional ill-health
50.-(1) If, when a retirement pension first becomes
payable to a member, the appropriate administering authority are satisfied that
his life expectancy is less than one year, they may pay him a lump sum equal
to five times the amount by which the annual rate of the retirement pension
exceeds his guaranteed minimum of his annual rate of retirement pension,
notwithstanding that such lump sum may exceed his lifetime allowance (SI2007/1488).
(1A) An administering authority cannot be satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (1) unless they have first obtained a certificate from a fully registered person within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983 to the effect that the member's life expectancy is less than one year. (SI2006/966)
(2) Such a payment discharges the authority's liability for
that pension (except the guaranteed minimum) (SI2006/966)
and for any lump sum death grant calculated by reference to that pension under
the Scheme.
(3) The authority must deduct from any such payment any
tax to which they may become chargeable under section 599 of the Taxes Act.
(SI2006/966)