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The Secretary of State for Social Security, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by the provisions set out in Schedule 1 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, commencement and interpretation 1. - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000. (2) Parts I to III and V of these Regulations shall come into force on 1st October 2000 and Part IV shall come into force on 8th October 2001. (3) In these Regulations -
(b) an insurance policy; or (c) a scheme or arrangement which is administered wholly or primarily outside the United Kingdom,
which has effect, or is capable of having effect, so as to provide benefits on termination of employment or on death or retirement, to or in respect of earners;
(b) the benefits payable in respect of policies allocated to that fund are determined partly by reference to a discretion exercisable by any person.
(4) In these Regulations references to notice in writing include using electronic communications for sending a notice to an address notified by the member for that purpose. Manner of establishment 2. - (1) A stakeholder pension scheme may (where not established under a trust) be established by means of one or more instruments in writing which provide for one or more contracts to be entered into between the manager of the scheme and each member of the scheme, or a person acting on his behalf. (2) The manager of the scheme must be a person who is mentioned in section 632(1) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act (establishment of schemes approved as personal pension schemes under Chapter IV of Part XIV of that Act)[10]. Requirements applying to all stakeholder pension schemes as regards instruments establishing such schemes 3. - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the instruments establishing a stakeholder pension scheme (the "scheme instruments") must prohibit the acceptance of contributions, transfer payments and pension credits to the scheme before 6th April 2001. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a scheme in respect of which an application for registration under section 2 (registration of stakeholder pension schemes) is first made on or after 6th April 2001. (3) The scheme instruments must require that no member is required to make any choice as regards the investment under the scheme of any payment made to it by him or on his behalf, any amount credited to the member's account in respect of a credit within the meaning of section 29 (pension sharing: creation of pension debits and credits), or any income or capital gain arising from the investment of such a payment or credit. (4) The scheme instruments must, except to the extent permitted under regulations 13 or 14, prohibit the use of -
(b) any amount credited to a member's account in respect of a credit within the meaning of section 29 (pension sharing: creation of pension debits and credits); (c) any income or capital gain arising from the investment of such a payment or credit; or (d) the value of his rights under the scheme,
in any way which does not result in the provision of benefits for or in respect of the member.
(b) if the trustees or manager fix a time for winding-up a scheme for any reason other than because the scheme ceases to be registered under section 2, the winding-up of the scheme be commenced at the earliest time fixed by the trustees or manager as the time from which steps for the purposes of winding-up are to be taken; (c) within 2 weeks of the date of commencement of any winding-up, the trustees or manager notify in writing any employers whom they know to have designated the scheme for the purposes of section 3 (duty of employers to facilitate access to stakeholder pension schemes) of the fact of, and the reason for, the winding-up including, where the scheme has ceased to be registered under section 2, the reason for the cessation of registration; (d) any contributions made to a scheme after the date of commencement of any winding-up must be repaid -
(ii) as to any remainder, to his employer;
(e) subject to paragraphs (8) and (9) below, on any winding-up all rights under the scheme shall be discharged by the trustees or managers of the scheme within 12 months of the commencement of winding-up, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, by the making of transfer payments -
(ii) in accordance with requests by one or more members or beneficiaries in respect of their rights, to the trustees or managers of pension schemes or pension arrangements which are not schemes mentioned in head (i) above,
in accordance with paragraphs (6) and (7) below and regulation 6 or, where regulation 7 applies, with regulation 7; and
(6) A transfer payment referred to in paragraph (5)(e) must be of an amount not less than the cash equivalent of the member's rights under the scheme, as calculated and verified in a manner consistent with regulations made under section 97 of the 1993 Act (calculation of cash equivalents)[12] on the date on which the payment is made.
(b) the payment of contributions by means of cash or a credit card.
(3) The trust instruments must require that -
(b) where a company is trustee of the scheme and there is no trustee of the scheme who is not a company, at least one of the directors of the company and at least one-third of the total number of its directors is neither connected with nor an associate of any person providing services to or otherwise managing the scheme (other than as a trustee).
(4) The trust instruments must not -
(b) have a condition that the trustees must obtain the consent of any person before making any decision about investments for the purposes of the scheme; or (c) except in so far as otherwise required by or under any enactment, preclude the trustees from amending the trust instruments to provide for different investments to be held for the purposes of the scheme.
Additional requirements as regards instruments establishing a stakeholder pension scheme not established under a trust
(b) financial status, the amount of contributions to be made to the scheme or the manner in which contributions may be made to the scheme.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not preclude any restrictions on the payment of contributions by means of cash or a credit card.
(b) the value of the member's rights at the date that the scheme commenced winding-up, being an amount not less than the cash equivalent of those rights on that date, as calculated and verified in a manner consistent with regulations made under section 97 of the 1993 Act (calculation of cash equivalents); and (c) that, unless the member applies within 4 months of the date of the notice for a transfer payment to be made to a pension scheme or pension arrangement of his choice, a transfer payment may be made without his consent to the scheme named in the notice as the scheme of the trustees' or manager's choice.
(3) If any member makes an application for a transfer payment to be made to a pension scheme or pension arrangement of his choice (whether or not the application is made under section 95 of the 1993 Act (ways of taking right to cash equivalent)[15]) the trustees or manager shall, unless paragraph (4) of this regulation applies, do what is needed to carry out what the member requires within one month of receiving the member's application.
(b) it would contravene the terms of the scheme's tax-approval or tax-exemption, or any provision of the scheme required to be included as a condition of any such approval or exemption, for the trustees or manager to do what is needed to carry out what the member requires; or (c) the member withdraws his application before the trustees have or the manager has done what is needed to carry out what he requires.
(5) Where paragraph (4)(a) or (b) applies in relation to the first such application made by the member as is mentioned in paragraph (3), the trustees or manager shall as soon as practicable give notice to the member stating -
(b) that if he does not make a further application such as is mentioned in paragraph (3) they propose to make a transfer payment in respect of his rights as set out in the notice given in accordance with paragraph (2); and (c) that, unless he makes such further application within one month of the date of the notice given in accordance with this paragraph, such a transfer payment may be made without his consent.
(6) In any case where -
(b) the member withdraws his application and no further such application by him is received by the trustees or manager within one month of that date; or (c) paragraph (4)(a) or (b) applied in respect of the first such application made by the member and -
(ii) the trustees or manager, having given such notice, have received a further application such as is mentioned in paragraph (5) within one month of that date but paragraph (4) applies in respect of that further application,
the trustees or manager may make a transfer payment in respect of the member's rights to the pension scheme named in the notice mentioned in paragraph (2) as the scheme of their choice.
(7) The trustees or manager shall, within one month of making a transfer payment under paragraph (3) or (6), give notice to the member stating the amount of the payment, the name and address of the scheme to which it has been made and the date on which it was made.
(b) no contribution has been made to the scheme by him or on his behalf during the 2 years preceding the commencement of winding-up of the scheme.
(2) In cases where this regulation applies, the trustees or manager shall on the winding-up of the scheme make a transfer payment in respect of the member's rights to their choice of a stakeholder pension scheme, or to a scheme registered under Article 4 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and need give no notice of the transfer payment to the member either before or after it is made.
(b) after that calendar month has elapsed, a reference to the base rate as increased.
(4) The trustees or manager shall not have scheme assets that are represented by units or shares in a collective investment scheme (within the meaning of section 75 of the Financial Services Act 1986 (interpretation: definition of `collective investment scheme')[16]) unless it is a requirement of the collective investment scheme that the purchase and sale price of those units or shares shall, at any given time, not differ from each other.
(b) are incorporated in the United Kingdom and carrying on within it a deposit-taking business (as defined in section 6, but subject to any order under section 7, of that Act)[20]; and (c) quote a base rate applicable to sterling deposits,
and for the purpose of this definition the size of an institution at any time is to be determined by reference to the gross assets denominated in sterling of that institution, together with any subsidiary (as defined in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985)[21], as shown in the audited end of year accounts last published before that time.
(b) the balance between different kinds of investments; (c) risk; (d) the expected return on investments; (e) the realisation of investments; (f) the extent (if at all) to which social, environmental or ethical considerations are taken into account in the selection, retention and realisation of investments; and (g) the exercise of the rights (including voting rights) attaching to investments.
(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where a copy of the latest statement mentioned in paragraph (3) is requested by a member, the statement shall, within 2 months of the request, be furnished to that member either -
(b) where a charge is made, at an amount that does not exceed the expense incurred in copying, posting and packing the statement.
(6) A copy of the statement mentioned in paragraph (3) need not be furnished to the same person within 12 months of the person last being given such a copy unless the statement has changed during that 12 month period.
(b) the suitability for the purposes of the scheme of any investment or investment option proposed.
(4) The manager of the scheme, and any person managing funds held for the purposes of the scheme, must, before making any investment or selecting any investment option for the purposes of the scheme, obtain and consider proper advice as to whether the investment is satisfactory having regard to the matters mentioned in paragraph (3) and the principles contained in the statement under regulation 9.
(ii) given by a person exempted under Chapter IV of that Part who, in giving the advice, is acting in the course of the business in respect of which he is exempt, (iii) given by a person where, by virtue of paragraph 27 of Schedule 1 to that Act[23], paragraph 15 of that Schedule does not apply to the giving of the advice, or (iv) given by a person who, by virtue of regulation 5 of the Banking Coordination (Second Council Directive) Regulations 1992[24], may give the advice though not authorised as mentioned in head (i) above;
(b) in any other case, the advice of a person whom the manager or person managing funds held for the purposes of the scheme reasonably believes to be qualified by his ability in and practical experience of financial matters and to have the appropriate knowledge and experience of the management of the investments of pension schemes.
(6) Paragraph (4) does not apply to the extent that the manager or the person managing the scheme's funds is a person who may themselves give proper advice.
(b) he is connected with or an associate of the manager of the scheme.
(5) The reporting accountant shall be appointed in writing and the notice of appointment shall specify -
(b) to whom the reporting accountant is to report; and (c) from whom the reporting accountant is to take instructions.
(6) The manager shall procure from the reporting accountant within one month of his receiving his notice of appointment a statement -
(b) confirming in writing that he will notify the manager of any conflict of interest to which he is subject in relation to the scheme immediately he becomes aware of its existence.
(7) It shall be a condition of the appointment of the reporting accountant that he agrees, in the event of his resignation, to serve on the manager a written notice of resignation containing -
(b) a declaration that he knows of no such circumstances.
(8) Where the reporting accountant is removed by the manager or resigns or dies, the manager shall appoint another reporting accountant within 3 months from the date of the removal, resignation or death.
(b) that the scheme's systems and controls are designed and used in a way that ensures that transactions in securities, property or other assets occur at a fair market value; (c) that the scheme's system of determining the value of members' rights is designed and used in a way that ensures that the value of members' rights has been determined in accordance with the provisions in the instruments establishing the scheme; and (d) that adequate accounts and records have been maintained for the purposes of providing to members the statement required by regulation 18(2) of these Regulations.
(3) The declaration mentioned in paragraph (2) shall also contain a statement which -
(b) explains that regulation 18(2) of these Regulations requires a stakeholder pension scheme to provide an annual benefit statement to each member.
(4) In the case of a scheme established under a trust, the trustees shall, within 3 months of the date of the declaration, obtain from the scheme auditor appointed by virtue of section 47(1) of the 1995 Act (professional advisers) or from the reporting accountant -
(b) to the extent that the auditor or reporting accountant is unable to express such an opinion, an explanation of why he is unable to do so.
(5) In the case of a scheme not established under a trust, the manager shall, within 3 months of the date of the declaration, obtain from the reporting accountant appointed by virtue of regulation 11 -
(b) to the extent that the reporting accountant is unable to express such an opinion, an explanation of why he is unable to do so.
(6) The trustees or manager shall annex to the declaration mentioned in paragraph (2) the statement obtained in accordance with paragraph (4) or (5).
(b) no income or capital gain arising from the investment of such a payment; (c) no amount credited to a member's account in respect of a credit within the meaning of section 29 (pension sharing: creation of pension debits and credits); and (d) no amount representing the value of any rights of a member under the scheme,
shall be used in any way which does not result in the provision of benefits for or in respect of members.
(b) to prevent the trustees or manager of a scheme from complying with their obligations under an order made by a court -
(ii) under Article 25 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978[26] by virtue of Article 27B or 27C of that Order (Northern Ireland powers corresponding to section 25B and 25C of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973), or (iii) under section 12A(2) or (3) of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985[27] (powers in relation to pensions lump sums when making a capital sum order).
(3) In this regulation and in regulation 14 below "member" includes "beneficiary".
(ii) the making of payments of income (otherwise than by way of an annuity) to a member under arrangements made in accordance with the scheme,
by the amount of those expenses;
(ii) in the case of a trust scheme of which the person in question is a trustee, arises out of breach of trust by him,
and which is either not in dispute or, if there is a dispute, where the obligation in question has become enforceable under an order of a competent court or in consequence of an award of an arbitrator or, in Scotland, an arbiter appointed (failing agreement between the parties) by the sheriff.
(6) When calculating the value of a member's rights for the purposes of paragraphs (2) to (4) above, where the trustees or manager have specified under paragraph (7) below that such rights are to be valued weekly or monthly -
(b) where the rights are to be valued monthly, they are to be valued on such date in each month ("the specified date") as has been so specified by the trustees or manager (except that, where that date is not a working day, the rights are to be valued on the next working day), and the value of the rights on each subsequent day prior to the next specified date is to be taken to be the value of the rights on the previous specified date.
(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6) above -
(b) where valuation is to take place weekly or monthly, the day of the week or, as the case may be, the date in the month on which it is to take place,
must be specified in writing by the trustees or manager of the scheme; and the specification may not be amended during the period of 12 months after the date on which it is made.
(b) ensure that members of the stakeholder pension scheme will not be treated less favourably than any other members of stakeholder pension schemes who may have assets invested in the with-profits fund; (c) provide to the trustees or manager of the stakeholder pension scheme any certificates from the auditor and actuary to the company that are necessary to allow the stakeholder pension scheme's auditor or reporting accountant to certify that the requirements of regulations 13 and 14 have been complied with; (d) ensure that no investments are made in the fund other than the investment of stakeholder pension scheme assets; and (e) take such steps as are necessary to comply with paragraph (4).
(4) The insurance company must, at least annually, provide the trustees or manager of the stakeholder pension scheme with a certificate from the auditor to the insurance company or the appointed actuary to the insurance company certifying that the insurance company has systems and controls that are designed and used so that -
(b) the records referred to in sub-paragraph (a) are provided at least annually to the auditor or reporting accountant, as the case may be, of the scheme; (c) no expenditure is charged to the with-profits fund where that expenditure would be contrary to the requirements of regulation 13 or 14; and (d) the terms of the contract referred to in paragraph (3) have been complied with.
(5) Where the insurance company does not comply with the agreement referred to in paragraph (3), the trustees or manager must take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the insurance company does so comply.
(ii) any contract for such service is in writing and sets out the amount of any charge for the service and the terms on which it is to be paid; and
(b) it is not a condition of membership of the scheme that any person enter into any contract, whether with the trustees or manager of the scheme or any other person, other than the contract of membership of the scheme.
Restrictions on contributions
(ii) falls before the end of the statement year during which the trustees or manager specify the new date; and
(b) no other date has been chosen by the trustees or manager under this paragraph during the previous period of 12 months;
and, if a new date is chosen under this paragraph, "statement year" shall mean the period of 12 months ending on the date chosen and each subsequent period ending on the anniversary of that date.
(b) the value of the member's rights on the last day of the statement year, being an amount which is not less than the cash equivalent of those rights on that date, as calculated and verified in a manner consistent with regulations made under section 97 of the 1993 Act (calculation of cash equivalents); (c) the amount of the value mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) that is attributable to investment gains or losses made or sustained by the scheme during that statement year; (d) the amount of each contribution made by the member and the date on which it was received; (e) the amount of each contribution made by any employer on behalf of the member and the date on which it was received; (f) except where contributions referred to in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) are increased by the trustees or manager in anticipation of a payment to the scheme by the Inland Revenue by way of tax relief in respect of the member, the amount of each such payment by the Inland Revenue and the date on which it was received; (g) the amount of each payment to the scheme by way of minimum contributions in respect of the member and the date on which it was received; (h) the amount of each payment made to the scheme by way of minimum payments in respect of the member and the date on which it was received; (i) the amount of each payment made to the scheme under section 42A(3) of the 1993 Act (reduced rates of Class 1 contributions, and rebates) in respect of the member and the date on which it was received; (j) the amount of any transfer payment made to the scheme in respect of the member, the name of the scheme or arrangement from which the payment was made and the date on which it was made; (k) any amount credited to the member's account in respect of a credit within the meaning of section 29 (pension sharing: creation of pension debits and credits); (l) any reduction under section 31 (pension sharing: reduction of benefit), or any enactment in force in Northern Ireland corresponding to that section, in the benefits or future benefits to which the member is entitled under the scheme; (m) any contributions refunded under the provisions of Chapter IV of Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act (pension schemes, social security benefits, life annuities etc.); (n) any amount paid to the member in accordance with section 634A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act (income withdrawals by member) or section 636A of that Act (income withdrawal after death of member)[29]; (o) any other amount deducted from the member's account, the nature of the deduction and the date on which it was made; (p) the total amount of any part of any of the contributions and payments mentioned in sub-paragraphs (d) to (k) which has not been credited to the member's account and the manner in which that amount has been used; (q) the member's date of birth used in determining the appropriate age-related percentage for the purposes of section 42A of the 1993 Act and the name and address of whom to contact should that date be incorrect; and (r) where the whole or any part of the member's rights under the scheme is represented by rights in a with-profits fund -
(ii) the principles which will be adopted in allocating such rights if the member's rights under the scheme cease to be represented by rights in that fund.
(6) Each member must be provided with a statement setting out any change in the scheme's rules or practice as regards the extent to which or the circumstances in which -
(b) any amount credited to the member's account in respect of a credit within the meaning of section 29 (pension sharing: creation of pension debits and credits), (c) any income or capital gain arising from the investment of such a payment, or (d) the value of any rights under the scheme,
may, in accordance with regulations 13 and 14, be used otherwise than to provide benefits for or in respect of that member.
(b) no contribution has been made to the scheme by him or on his behalf during the 2 years preceding the most recent date on which they would, apart from this paragraph, be required to provide him with a statement under this regulation.
(10) For the purposes of this regulation "member" shall include a beneficiary making income withdrawals from the scheme in accordance with section 636A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (income withdrawals after death of member). Persons who may apply for registration of stakeholder pension schemes not established under trust 20. For the purposes of subsections (2) and (4) of section 2 (prescribed persons may apply for registration of stakeholder pension schemes and will be liable to penalties in certain circumstances connected with such application) the prescribed person in relation to a scheme not established under a trust is the manager of the scheme. Access to the register 21. - (1) The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority shall supply the most recent copy of the register to any person on request either -
(b) where a charge is made, at an amount that does not exceed the expense incurred in copying, posting and packing the statement.
(2) The Authority may publish the register in any way. Exemptions from employer access and consultation requirements 22. - (1) An employer need not comply with the requirements set out in section 3 (duty of employers to facilitate access to stakeholder pension schemes) and this Part of these Regulations if he has fewer than 5 employees. (2) An employer need not comply with the requirements set out in section 3 and this Part of these Regulations if -
(ii) the employer will, if he is requested to do so by the employee, deduct the employee's contributions to that scheme from his remuneration and pay them to the trustees or manager of the scheme; and
(b) subject to paragraph (7), no charge or penalty is imposed by the personal pension scheme in question on any member in respect of whom the employer has made any contributions to the scheme for transferring all or any of his funds out of that scheme or for ceasing to contribute to the scheme.
(3) Contributions are made in accordance with this paragraph if they are made on each occasion on which the employee is paid remuneration by the employer (or, if the employer and employee agree longer intervals, at such longer intervals as are agreed) and at a rate of at least 3 per cent. of the amount of remuneration paid.
(b) if the condition is first imposed on or after 8th October 2001 or if sub-paragraph (a) ceases to apply after that date, the employee is not required to make contributions exceeding 3 per cent. of the amount of remuneration paid to him on any such occasion or for each such interval.
(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (3) and (4) only payments made in respect of basic pay shall be taken into account and payments in respect of bonuses, commission, overtime or similar payments shall be disregarded.
(b) market value adjustments which occur in relation to a with-profits fund,
shall not be taken to be charges or penalties for transferring those funds or for ceasing to contribute to that scheme.
(b) on employing a fifth employee in the period from 8th July 2001 to 8th October 2001 after a period when he had fewer than 5 employees, he has not had sufficient time to select a scheme which he wishes to designate and to complete the designation process, provided that the exemption under this sub-paragraph shall not apply for more than 3 months from the date on which he employed that fifth employee, (c) on section 3 applying to him after a period when it did not so apply, he has not had sufficient time to select a scheme which he wishes to designate and to complete the designation process, provided that the exemption under this sub-paragraph shall not apply for more than 3 months from the date on which that section begins to apply after such a period, or (d) on having withdrawn his designation of a scheme due to reasons beyond his control he has not had sufficient time to select another scheme which he wishes to designate and to complete the designation process, provided that the exemption under this sub-paragraph shall not apply for more than 4 months from the withdrawal of designation.
(10) Where a stakeholder pension scheme commences winding-up, the employer need not comply with the consultation requirements in section 3(2) if, within 4 months of the scheme commencing to wind up, he designates for the purposes of that section the stakeholder pension scheme named in the notice mentioned in regulation 6(2) as the scheme of the trustees' or manager's choice.
(b) any employee whose employment would qualify him for membership of an occupational pension scheme of the employer if he were over the age of 18, or was more than 5 years younger than the age which would be his normal pension age were he a member of the scheme; (c) any employee who -
(ii) is now excluded from membership of that scheme because he did not join the scheme at an earlier time;
(d) any employee who has been employed by the employer for a continuous period of less than 3 months;
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) "normal pension age" means the earliest age at which the employee in question would, if he were a member of the scheme in question, be entitled to receive benefits (other than a guaranteed minimum pension) on retirement from employment to which the scheme applies, disregarding any rule of the scheme which makes special provision as to early retirement on grounds of ill-health or otherwise.
(b) informing him of the date (which must be no later than 6 months after the date of the employee's previous request to make, vary or cease such deductions) that the employee can make a new request to make or vary deductions of the employee's contributions; and (c) informing him that -
(ii) the employee may make payments, at a rate of his choosing, directly to the qualifying scheme.
(3) Where an employee requests an employer to cease to make deductions from the employee's remuneration on account of contributions to a qualifying scheme, the employer must cease such deductions as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the pay period following that in which the request is made, and must give notice to the employee in writing -
(b) that the employee may make payments, at a rate of his choosing, directly to the qualifying scheme.
(4) If an employer ceases on an employee's request to make deductions from the employee's remuneration of contributions to a qualifying scheme, the employer need not comply with any further request to make such deductions if that request is made within 6 months from the date when the employee requested the employer to cease deductions.
(b) advice that, where an employee requests an employer to make or vary deductions of the employee's contributions to a qualifying scheme from the employee's remuneration, the employer need not comply with that request -
(ii) where the employer is agreeable to complying with the request within a lesser period than 6 months of a previous request, that lesser period;
(c) advice that the employee may, at any time, require the employer to cease such deductions immediately; and
Amendment of the Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 1987 26. - (1) The Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 1987[30] shall be amended as set out in this regulation. (2) After regulation 2 there shall be inserted:
2A. In the case of a scheme which is a stakeholder pension scheme within the meaning of section 1 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, regulation 5 shall have effect as if paragraph (2) were omitted."
(3) In regulation 5 -
(b) the following paragraph shall be inserted after paragraph (7) -
(b) as soon as practicable and in any event not more than 4 months after such removal provide each member of the scheme except an excluded person with the information mentioned in paragraphs 1, 2 and 7 of Schedule 2; and (c) where the scheme is unable to meet in full its liabilities to its members, as soon as is practicable and in any event not more than 4 months after such removal provide each member except an excluded person with the information mentioned in paragraph 8 of Schedule 2.".
Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Preservation of Benefit) Regulations 1991
(b) the transferring scheme has commenced winding-up; and (c) the transfer payment is of an amount at least equal to the cash equivalent of the member's rights under the scheme, as calculated and verified in a manner consistent with regulations made under section 97 of the 1993 Act (calculation of cash equivalents).".
Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 1996
(b) the following paragraph shall be added at the end of the definition of "tax-approved schemes" -
(3) In regulation 2 -
(b) after paragraph (3) there shall be inserted -
(4) In regulation 5 -
(b) the following paragraph shall be inserted after paragraph (10) -
Amendment of the Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations 1996
3A. This regulation applies where -
(b) regulation 6 of the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000 is complied with.".
Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Member-nominated Trustees and Directors) Regulations 1996
(b) after sub-paragraph (m) there shall be added -
(n) which is a stakeholder pension scheme within the meaning of section 1 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.".
(3) In regulation 6(1) -
(b) after sub-paragraph (n) there shall be added -
(o) which is a stakeholder pension scheme within the meaning of section 1 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.".
Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 1996
(This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations are made principally under sections 1 to 8 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 ("the Act"), and other provisions listed in Schedule 1 to the Regulations, to make provision in connection with stakeholder pension schemes introduced by Part I of that Act. Apart from Part IV (which provides for the obligations of employers), the Regulations come into force on 1st October 2000. Part I of the Regulations is concerned with citation, commencement and interpretation, and Part II with the conditions applying to stakeholder pension schemes. Regulation 2 provides for the establishment as a stakeholder pension scheme of a pension scheme which is not established under a trust. Regulations 3, 4 and 5 specify the requirements with which the instruments establishing a stakeholder pension scheme must comply, especially as respects their provision about membership of the scheme, its assets and the transfer of members' rights on winding-up. Regulation 3 applies in the case of all such schemes, regulation 4 in the case of schemes established under a trust, and regulation 5 in the case of schemes not established under a trust. Regulations 6 and 7 are concerned with the manner in which the rights of members under a stakeholder pension scheme are to be discharged when the scheme winds up. Regulations 8 to 12, 15, 16, 18 and 19 provide for the requirements which must be complied with by a pension scheme as a condition of its being a stakeholder pension scheme, and are concerned in particular with such matters as the investment of funds, (regulations 8-10 and 15), reporting obligations, including declarations to be made by trustees and managers, and statements by auditors and accountants, in connection with the scheme (regulations 11 and 12), the provision by schemes of services apart from the management of funds (regulation 16), the provision of information to members (regulation 18) and the obligations of trustees (regulation 19). Regulations 13 and 14 provide for the circumstances in which payments and credits to the scheme, returns on investments and members' rights under the scheme may be used for purposes other than the provision of benefits for members, and in particular for defraying administrative expenses, charges, etc. Regulation 17 makes provision for the minimum level of contributions to stakeholder pension schemes and the circumstances in which trustees or managers may refuse contributions. Part III of the Regulations is concerned with the registration of stakeholder pension schemes, especially as respects the persons who may apply for registration of schemes not established under trusts, and access to the register (regulations 20 and 21). Part IV of the Regulations, which comes into force on 8th October 2001, makes provision in connection with the duty of employers to facilitate access to stakeholder pension schemes, and in particular for the circumstances in which employers are exempt from those requirements (regulation 22), for the deduction of contributions to such schemes from employees' remuneration (regulation 24) and for the disclosure of information to employees about such schemes (regulation 25). Part V of the Regulations makes textual amendments in Regulations made under the Pension Schemes Act 1993 and the Pensions Act 1995 in consequence of the introduction of stakeholder pension schemes, and applies to those schemes which are not occupational pension schemes the provisions of Regulations specified in Schedule 2 as if they were occupational pension schemes. An assessment of the cost to business of the introduction of stakeholder pension schemes under Part I of the Act and these Regulations is detailed in a Regulatory Impact Assessment, a copy of which has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies of the Assessment are available from the Department of Social Security, Regulatory Impact Unit, Third 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) and section 120(1) of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26).back [5] Section 842 was amended by section 117(1) and (4) of the Finance Act 1998 (c. 39), section 55 of the Finance Act 1990 (c. 29), paragraphs 14(1) and 55 of Schedule 10 to the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12), paragraph 8 of Schedule 17 to the Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 30 to the Finance Act 1996 (c. 8) and paragraph 7 of Schedule 38 to that Act.back [6] Section 43(1) was amended by paragraph 42 of Schedule 5 to the Pensions Act 1995 and paragraph 47(2) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2). Section 43(4) to (6) was amended by paragraph 47(2) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999.back [7] Section 8(1) was amended by section 136(2) of the Pensions Act 1995 and paragraph 21 of Schedule 5 to that Act and by paragraph 33 of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999.back [8] 1986 c. 60. Investments falling within paragraphs 1 to 5 of Schedule 1 to the Financial Services Act 1986 comprise shares and stock in the share capital of a company, debentures and other instruments creating or acknowledging indebtedness, government and public securities, instruments entitling the holder to subscribe for any of the above, and certificates representing securities. These are further defined in those paragraphs.back [9] 1986 c. 45. Section 249 was amended by section 90, Schedule 15 to the Building Societies Act 1986 (c. 53) and section 23, Schedule 102 to the Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40).back [10] Section 632(1) was amended by the Personal Pension Schemes (Establishment of Schemes) Order 1988 (S.I. 1988/993) and the Personal Pension Schemes (Establishment of Schemes) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/2388).back [11] S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11).back [12] Section 97 was amended by paragraph 4(a) to (c) of Schedule 6 to the Pensions Act 1995.back [13] Section 10 was amended by paragraph 25 of Schedule 5 to the Pensions Act 1995 and paragraph 36 of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999.back [14] Section 28 was amended by sections 142 and 146 of the Pensions Act 1995 and paragraph 34 of Schedule 5, and Part III of Schedule 7, to that Act.back [15] Section 95 was amended by paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 to the Pensions Act 1995.back [16] 1986 c. 60. Relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1988/803, 1990/349, 1995/3275, 1996/2996 and 1997/32.back [19] 1987 c. 22, as amended by the Bank of England Act 1998 (c. 11).back [20] Section 7 was amended by section 23(1) of, and paragraphs 1 and 4 of Schedule 5 to, the Bank of England Act 1998 (c. 11).back [21] 1985 c. 6. Section 736 was substituted by section 144(1) of the Companies Act 1989 (c. 40).back [22] 1986 c. 60. Section 1 defines "investment business" as the business of engaging in one or more of the activities falling within Part II of Schedule 1 to that Act if that business is not excluded by Part III to Schedule 1 of that Act.back [23] Paragraph 27 was amended by article 10 of S.I. 1996/2958 and article 2(4) of S.I. 1996/1322.back [24] S.I. 1992/3218. Regulation 5 was amended by regulation 2(e) and 2(f) of S.I. 1993/3225 and regulation 55 of, and Schedule 9 paragraph (3) to, S.I. 1195/3275.back [25] 1973 c. 18. Section 23(6) was inserted by section 16 of the Administration of Justice Act 1982 (c. 53) and sections 25B and 25C were inserted with savings by the Pensions Act 1995.back [26] S.I. 1978/1045 (N.I. 15). Articles 27B and 27C were inserted by Article 162(1) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and are amended by paragraphs 1 and 2 respectively of Schedule 4 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.back [27] 1985 c. 37. Section 12A was inserted by section 167 of the Pensions Act 1995 and is amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 12 to the Act.back [28] Section 97 was amended by paragraph 4(a) to 4(c) of Schedule 6 to the Pensions Act 1995.back [29] Section 634A was inserted by paragraphs 1 and 4 of Schedule 11 to the Finance Act 1995 (c. 4) and section 636A was inserted by paragraphs 1 and 7 of that Schedule.back [30] S.I. 1987/1110; to which there are amendments not relevant to this instrument.back [32] S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11).back [33] S.I. 1996/1655; to which there are amendments not relevant to this instrument.back [34] S.I. 1996/1461; to which there are amendments not relevant to this instrument.back [35] S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11).back [36] S.I. 1996/1216; regulation 6(1) was amended by regulation 5(6)(a) of S.I. 1997/786. There are other amendments not relevant to this instrument.back [37] S.I. 1996/3127; to which there are amendments not relevant to this instrument.back [41] S.I. 1997/785; as amended by S.I. 1999/1849.back [42] S.I. 1996/1655; as amended by S.I. 1997/786.back [45] S.I. 1997/666; as amended by S.I. 1998/600, 1999/682 and 2000/542.back [48] S.I. 1996/1975; as amended by S.I. 1997/786 and 3038.back [49] S.I. 1996/1715; regulation 3(5) was inserted by S.I. 1998/1494, regulation 5 was amended by S.I. 1997/819 and 1998/3038 and regulation 7 was amended by S.I. 1997/819.back
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