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The Police Pensions Regulations 2015

S.I. 2015/445 · Made 27 February 2015 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 1 April 2026.

Public Service Pensions, England And Wales

Made 27th February 2015

Laid before Parliament 5th March 2015

Coming into force 1st April 2015

C1The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1(1) and (2)(g) M1, 2(1), 3(1), (2) and (3)(a) and (c), 4(3) and (5) as read with 4(1), 5(2)(c) as read with 5(1), 7(2) as read with 7(1), 8(1)(a) M2, 12(6) and (7) M3, 18(5) to (7) and 25(2) of, and paragraph 7 of Schedule 2, Schedule 3, and paragraphs 1(2)(ii), 2(2)(ii) and 5(1) of Schedule 7 to, the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 M4.

In accordance with section 21 of that Act, the Secretary of State has consulted the representatives of such persons as appear to the Secretary of State likely to be affected by these Regulations.

In accordance with section 3(5) of that Act, these Regulations are made with the consent of the Treasury.

Annotations to the whole text

Marginal citations

M1

See also section 1(3) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (“the Act”).

M2

See also section 8(2)(a) and (4) of the Act.

M3

See also section 12(1) to (3) and (5) of the Act. Section 12 of the Act comes into force on 1st April 2015.

M4

2013 c. 25.

Modifications

C1

Regulations: transfer of functions (30.9.2020) by The Transfer of Functions (Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/942), arts. 1(2), 4(3)

Contents

  1. Part 1: Preliminary
  2. 1Citation and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. Part 2: Establishment of scheme for members of a police force
  5. 3Establishment of scheme
  6. 4Members of a home police force
  7. 5Members of a police force other than a home police force
  8. 6Meaning of “specified NCA officer”
  9. Part 3: Governance
  10. 7Police pension authority
  11. 8Alteration of police areas
  12. 9Scheme manager
  13. 10Scheme manager approval
  14. 11Delegation
  15. 12Scheme manager's obligation to pass on member's records
  16. 13Police Pension Boards: establishment
  17. 14Police Pension Boards: membership
  18. 15Police Pension Boards: procedure
  19. 16Police Pension Boards: conflicts of interest
  20. 17Payment of fees and expenses
  21. 18Scheme advisory board: establishment
  22. 19Scheme advisory board: membership
  23. 20Scheme advisory board: conflicts of interest
  24. Part 4: Scheme membership
  25. Chapter 1: Active membership
  26. 21Eligible service
  27. 22Periods of unpaid leave
  28. 23Period of permanent service
  29. Chapter 2: Automatic enrolment
  30. 24Application of Chapter
  31. 25Interpretation of Chapter
  32. 26Automatic enrolment
  33. 27Opting in to this scheme
  34. 28When an opt-in takes effect
  35. 29Automatic re-enrolment
  36. 30Opting out of this scheme
  37. 31Opting out before the end of the initial period of eligible service
  38. 32Opting out after the initial period of eligible service
  39. Chapter 3: Pensionable earnings and assumed pay
  40. 33Pensionable earnings
  41. 34Pensionable earnings during a period of assumed pay
  42. Chapter 4: Eligibility for payment of ill-health benefits
  43. 35Interpretation
  44. 36Determination of eligibility for payment of ill-health benefits
  45. 37Re-determination of eligibility for payment of ill-health benefits
  46. 38Reduced rate of member contributions
  47. 39Selected medical practitioner's report
  48. 40Appeal against selected medical practitioner's report
  49. 41Revised report by third registered medical practitioner
  50. 42Refusal to be medically examined
  51. Chapter 5: Deferred membership
  52. 43Meaning of “deferred member”
  53. Part 5: Pension accounts
  54. Chapter 1: Accrued pension
  55. 44Descriptions of accrued pension
  56. 45Calculation of amount of accrued pension for purpose of deferment or retirement
  57. Chapter 2: Calculation of adjustments
  58. 46Calculation of “retirement index adjustment”
  59. 47Calculation of “retirement PIA index adjustment”
  60. 48Determination of “the age addition”
  61. 49Determination of “the assumed age addition”
  62. 50Actuarial reduction on early payment of pension (early payment reduction)
  63. 51Late payment supplement
  64. Chapter 3: Pension accounts: general
  65. 52Establishment of pension accounts: general
  66. 53Closure and adjustment of pension accounts on transfer out
  67. Chapter 4: Active member's account
  68. 54Application of Chapter
  69. 55Establishment of active member's account
  70. 56Receipt of a transfer value payment
  71. 57Receipt of a club transfer value payment
  72. 58Amount of pension for a scheme year
  73. 59Opening balance, index adjustment, PIA index adjustment and age addition
  74. 60Closure and re-establishment of active member's account
  75. 61Active member's account to remain open during periods of unpaid leave
  76. 62Adjustment of active member's account after period of unpaid family leave or unpaid sick leave
  77. Chapter 5: Deferred member's account
  78. 63Application of Chapter
  79. 64Establishment of deferred member's account
  80. 65Provisional amount of deferred pension
  81. 66Adjustment of provisional amount
  82. 67Closure of deferred member's account after gap in service not exceeding 5 years
  83. Chapter 6: Retirement account
  84. 68Establishment of retirement account
  85. 69Amount of retirement earned pension and retirement added pension
  86. 70Closure of retirement account
  87. Chapter 7: Pension accounts for pension credit members
  88. 71Establishment of pension credit member's account
  89. 72Other pension accounts
  90. Part 6: Retirement pensions payable on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  91. Chapter 1: General
  92. 73Police pension authority
  93. 74Medical unfitness
  94. 75Permanent medical unfitness
  95. 76Decision of selected medical practitioner
  96. 77Refusal to be medically examined or attend interviews
  97. 78A report under this Part
  98. Chapter 2: Compulsory ill-health retirement
  99. 79Application of Chapter
  100. 80Former member of home police force
  101. 81Referral of medical questions for purpose of regulation 82
  102. 82Compulsory retirement on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  103. 83Compulsory retirement of member who was required to continue to serve
  104. 84Compulsory retirement void if appeal successful
  105. Chapter 3: Early payment of full retirement pension on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  106. 85Application of Chapter
  107. 86Referral of medical questions for purpose of early payment of a full retirement pension on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  108. Part 7: Retirement benefits
  109. Chapter 1: General
  110. 87Application of Part
  111. 88Qualifying service
  112. 89Descriptions of full retirement pension
  113. Chapter 2: Full retirement benefits
  114. 90Entitlement to full retirement pension (active members)
  115. 91Entitlement to full retirement pension (deferred members)
  116. 92Claim for payment of full retirement pension (active members)
  117. 93Notice period for active members
  118. 94Full retirement pension payable at member's state pension age (deferred members)
  119. 95Full retirement pension payable early on grounds of permanent medical unfitness (deferred members)
  120. 96Claim for early payment of full retirement pension otherwise than on grounds of permanent medical unfitness (deferred members)
  121. 97Members who have been dismissed or required to resign
  122. 98Annual rate of full retirement pension (active members)
  123. 99Annual rate of full retirement pension (deferred members)
  124. 100Full retirement pension ceasing to be payable
  125. Chapter 3: Ill-health pension
  126. 101Payment thresholds
  127. 102Entitlement to payment of ill-health pension
  128. 103Payment of ill-health pension
  129. 104Annual rate of ill-health pension under this scheme
  130. 105Deferment of added pension attributable to recent payments
  131. Chapter 4: Reduction of ill-health benefits
  132. 106Referral of medical question for purpose of reduction of benefits
  133. 107Reduction of pension in case of default
  134. 108Refusal to be medically examined
  135. 109Decision of scheme manager void if appeal against decision of selected medical practitioner is successful
  136. Chapter 5: Review of ill-health benefits
  137. 110Review of lower tier ill-health pension
  138. 111Cancellation of lower tier ill-health pension if medical unfitness ceases
  139. 112Entitlement to enhanced upper tier ill-health pension following claim for payment
  140. 113Entitlement to enhanced upper tier ill-health pension following periodic review
  141. 114Review and cancellation of enhanced upper tier ill-health pension
  142. 115Cancellation of ill-health pension: failure to receive appropriate medical treatment
  143. 116Review and cancellation of full retirement pension which came into payment early on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  144. 117Referral of medical questions for purpose of a review
  145. 118Refusal to be medically examined
  146. 119Decision of scheme manager void if appeal against decision of selected medical practitioner is successful
  147. Chapter 6: Payment options
  148. 120Options under this Chapter
  149. 121Exercising an option under this Chapter
  150. 122Option to buy out early payment reduction
  151. 123Option to defer payment of retirement added pension
  152. 124Option to commute part of pension
  153. Part 8: Benefits for pension credit members
  154. 125Interpretation
  155. 126Entitlement to pension credit member's pension
  156. 127Claim for payment of pension credit member's pension
  157. 128Payment of pension credit member's pension
  158. 129Annual rate of pension credit member's pension
  159. 130Pension credit member's rights
  160. 131Option for pension credit member to commute part of pension
  161. 132Option for pension credit member to commute whole pension (serious ill-health)
  162. Part 9: Death benefits
  163. Chapter 1: Application of Part
  164. 133Application of Part
  165. Chapter 2: Pensions for surviving adults
  166. 134Surviving adults
  167. 135Meaning of “surviving adult partner”
  168. 136Meaning of “surviving adult's pension”
  169. 137Entitlement to surviving adult's pension
  170. 138Surviving adult's pension payable in respect of pension debit member
  171. 139Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable on death of pensioner member
  172. 140Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable on death of deferred member
  173. 141Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable on death of active member
  174. 142Reduction in pensions in cases of wide age disparity
  175. Chapter 3: Pensions for eligible children
  176. 143Meaning of “eligible child's pension”
  177. 144Meaning of “eligible child”
  178. 145Eligible child's pension
  179. 146Annual rate of eligible child's pension
  180. Chapter 4: Payment of pensions for surviving adults and eligible children
  181. 147Payment of pensions under this Part
  182. 148Suspension and recovery of pensions paid under this Part
  183. 149Provisional payment of eligible child's pension: later adjustments
  184. 150Adjustment of benefits to comply with FA 2004 where members die over 75
  185. 151Guaranteed minimum pensions for surviving spouses and civil partners
  186. Chapter 5: Nominations for lump sum death grants
  187. 152Nominations for lump sum death grants
  188. 153Invalid nominations of individuals
  189. 154Recovery of payment if nomination found to be invalid
  190. Chapter 6: Payment of lump sum death grants
  191. 155Payment of lump sum death grants: general
  192. 156Persons who may be paid lump sum death grant
  193. 157Pension protection lump sum death benefit
  194. 158Payment of pension instead of lump sum death grant for members who have reached 75
  195. Chapter 7: Amount of lump sum death grant
  196. 159Meaning of “final pay”
  197. 160Meaning of “annualised final pay”
  198. 161Amount of lump sum death grant payable on death of active member
  199. 162Amount of lump sum death grant payable on death of pension credit member
  200. 163Amount payable under court order to former spouse or civil partner
  201. Chapter 8: Death gratuities
  202. 164Application of Chapter
  203. 165Death gratuities - dependants
  204. 166Death gratuity – estate
  205. Chapter 9: Prevention of duplication of benefits
  206. 167Payment of one benefit only in respect of deceased member
  207. Part 10: Contributions
  208. 167ARelevant pay
  209. 168Amount of pensionable earnings Repealed
  210. 169Annualised rate of pensionable earnings Repealed
  211. 170Rate of member contributions
  212. 171Payment of member contributions
  213. 172Option to pay member contributions for period of unpaid leave
  214. 173Payment of member contributions for unpaid leave
  215. 174Employer contributions
  216. 175Deduction of payments for added pension under Schedule 3
  217. 176Refund of all member contributions and payments for added pension made by the member
  218. 177Member repays refund of contributions on rejoining this scheme
  219. Part 11: Transfers
  220. Chapter 1: Preliminary
  221. 178Application of Part
  222. 179Interpretation of Part
  223. Chapter 2: Transfers out
  224. 180Transfer payments made to other schemes or pension arrangements
  225. 181Application for a statement of entitlement
  226. 182Statement of entitlement
  227. 183Request for transfer payment to be made
  228. 184Calculating the amount of a transfer value or club transfer value
  229. 185Request for transfer out after member repays to scheme manager a refund received under regulation 184
  230. 186Effect of transfers out
  231. Chapter 3: Transfers in
  232. 187Application of Chapter
  233. 188Interpretation of Chapter
  234. 189Request for acceptance of a transfer payment
  235. 190Transfer statement
  236. 191Amount of transferred pension
  237. 192Club transfer statement
  238. 193Amount of club transfer earned pension
  239. Chapter 4: NI and Scotland transfers
  240. 194Interpretation
  241. 195Transfers out
  242. 196Transfers in
  243. Part 12: Actuarial valuations and employer cost cap
  244. 197Appointment of scheme actuary and actuarial valuations
  245. 198Employer cost cap
  246. Part 13: Supplementary
  247. Chapter 1: Dual capacity members
  248. 199Meaning of “dual capacity member”
  249. 200Payment of benefits to or in respect of a dual capacity member
  250. Chapter 2: Payment of benefits: general
  251. 201Reduction in pension debit member's benefits
  252. 202Late payment of retirement index adjustment or retirement PIA index adjustment
  253. 203Commutation of small pensions
  254. Chapter 3: Guaranteed minimum pensions
  255. 204Interpretation and application
  256. 205Guaranteed minimum under section 14 of PSA 1993
  257. 206Contracting–out rights
  258. Chapter 4: Appeals in relation to payment of benefits
  259. 207Appeals to Crown Court
  260. 208Appeals to Secretary of State
  261. 209Limitation on appeals against decision of scheme manager
  262. Chapter 5: Forfeiture and set-off
  263. 210Pension supervising authority
  264. 211Forfeiture: offences committed by members
  265. 212Forfeiture: offences committed by a member's beneficiary
  266. 213Forfeiture: relevant monetary obligations and relevant monetary losses
  267. 214Set-off
  268. 215Forfeiture and set-off: procedure
  269. 216Forfeiture: appeals to Crown Court
  270. 217Forfeiture: appeals to Secretary of State
  271. Chapter 6: Payment and deduction of tax
  272. 218Scheme manager to be scheme administrator for purposes of Part 4 of Finance Act 2004
  273. 219Payment on behalf of members of lifetime allowance charge
  274. 220Reduction of benefits where lifetime allowance charge payable
  275. 221Information about payment of annual allowance charge
  276. 222Reduction of benefits where annual allowance charge paid by scheme manager
  277. 222AVoluntary scheme pays arrangement
  278. Chapter 7: General
  279. 223General prohibition on unauthorised payments
  280. 224Calculation of periods of membership and service
  281. 225Procedure on appeals to the Secretary of State
  282. 226Evidence of entitlement
  283. 227Provision of benefit information statements to members
  284. 228Transitional provisions
  285. Signature
  286. Schedule 1: Medical decisions: appeals and reconsideration
  287. 1Interpretation
  288. 2Appeal against decision of a selected medical practitioner
  289. 3Referral of final decision for reconsideration
  290. 4Referral of final decision by court or tribunal
  291. 5Referral to appointed medical practitioner
  292. 6Appointment of appeal board
  293. 7Procedure and costs on appeals to appeal board
  294. 8Hearing the appeal
  295. 9Written evidence or a written statement
  296. 10Costs payable if hearing is cancelled, adjourned or postponed
  297. 11Costs payable on decision
  298. Schedule 2: Progressive medical conditions
  299. Paragraph
  300. Paragraph
  301. Paragraph
  302. Paragraph
  303. Paragraph
  304. Paragraph
  305. Paragraph
  306. Paragraph
  307. Paragraph
  308. Paragraph
  309. Paragraph
  310. Schedule 3: Payments for added pension
  311. Part 1: General
  312. 1Interpretation
  313. 2Meaning of “overall limit of added pension”
  314. 3Amount of accrued added pension may not exceed overall limit of added pension
  315. 4Refund of overpayments
  316. Part 2: Exercising the added pension option
  317. 5Added pension option exercisable by member
  318. Part 3: Periodical payments for added pension
  319. 6Application of Part
  320. 7Member's option to make periodical payments for added pension
  321. 8Cancellation of option by member
  322. 9Periodical payments
  323. 10Amount of added (self only) pension for a scheme year (periodical payments)
  324. 11Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension for a scheme year (periodical payments)
  325. Part 4: Lump sum payments for added pension made by member
  326. 12Application of Part
  327. 13Member's option to make a lump sum payment for added pension
  328. 14Payment by lump sum from the compensation scheme
  329. 15Statement of amount of added pension
  330. 16Amount of added (self only) pension (lump sum payment)
  331. 17Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension (lump sum payment)
  332. Schedule 4: Transitional provisions
  333. Part 1: General
  334. 1Interpretation
  335. 2Meaning of “tapered protection closing date”
  336. 3Pensionable service under a police scheme
  337. 4Continuity of service (1987 transition members)
  338. 5Continuity of service (2006 transition members)
  339. 6Meaning of “active member” of the 1987 scheme or the equivalent NI police pension scheme
  340. 7Meaning of “active member” of the 2006 scheme or the equivalent NI police pension scheme
  341. 8Meaning of “active member” of an existing scheme
  342. Part 2: Exceptions for full protection members of the 1987 scheme
  343. 9Meaning of “full protection member” (the 1987 scheme)
  344. 10Exception for full protection member during protection period
  345. 11Active member of the 1987 scheme on scheme closing date
  346. Part 3: Exceptions for full protection members of the 2006 scheme
  347. 12Meaning of “full protection member” (the 2006 scheme)
  348. 13Exception for full protection member during protection period
  349. 14Active member of the 2006 scheme on scheme closing date
  350. Part 4: Exceptions for tapered protection members of the 1987 scheme
  351. 15Meaning of “tapered protection member” (the 1987 scheme)
  352. 16Exception for tapered protection members during protection period
  353. 17Active member of the 1987 scheme on scheme closing date
  354. Part 5: Exceptions for tapered protection members of the 2006 scheme
  355. 18Meaning of “tapered protection member” (the 2006 scheme)
  356. 19Exception for tapered protection members during protection period
  357. 20Active member of the 2006 scheme on scheme closing date
  358. Part 6: Payment of ill-health pension to transition members with continuity of service
  359. 21Meaning of “ill-health pension” in relation to the existing police pension scheme
  360. 22Meaning of “normal pension age under the existing police pension scheme”
  361. 23Transition member who has not reached normal pension age under the existing police pension scheme
  362. 24When transition member reaches normal pension age under the existing police pension scheme
  363. Part 7: Payment of death benefits in respect of transition members with continuity of service
  364. 25Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 1987 transition member dies as a pensioner member
  365. 26Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 2006 transition member dies as a pensioner member
  366. 27Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 1987 transition member dies as a deferred member
  367. 28Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 2006 transition member dies as a deferred member
  368. 29Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 1987 transition member dies as an active member
  369. 30Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 2006 transition member dies as an active member
  370. 31Payment of eligible child's pension in respect of any transition member
  371. 32Lump sum death grant payable on death of active member
  372. 33Death gratuities - dependants
  373. 34Death gratuity – estate
  374. Part 8: Transitional provisions relating to the existing police pension scheme
  375. 35Pensionable service under the existing police pension scheme
  376. 36Becoming a deferred member of the existing police pension scheme
  377. 37Qualifying for benefits on retirement under the existing police pension scheme
  378. 38Refund of contributions under the existing police pension scheme
  379. 39Calculation of weighted accrual for service in the 1987 scheme
  380. 40Calculation of lump sum under the 1987 scheme
  381. 41Declaration under existing police pension scheme continues to have effect
  382. 42Nomination under existing police pension scheme continues to have effect
  383. Part 9: Transfer of final salary benefits
  384. 43Meaning of “final salary benefits”
  385. 44Acceptance of club transfer value payments
  386. 45Joining this scheme or the 2006 scheme
  387. Part 10: Pensionable service after the scheme closing date
  388. 46Transition member with continuity of service
  389. 47Active member of the 1988 NI police pension scheme on scheme closing date who joins 1987 scheme
  390. 48Active member of the 1988 NI police pension scheme on scheme closing date who joins 2006 scheme
  391. 49Active member of the 1987 scheme on scheme closing date
  392. 50Deferred member of the 1987 scheme on scheme closing date
  393. 51Active member of the 2009 NI police pension scheme on scheme closing date
  394. 52Active member of the existing Scotland scheme on the scheme closing date
  395. 53Active member of an existing scheme on the scheme closing date
  396. Explanatory note