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The Police Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

S.R. 2015/113 · Made 2 March 2015 · Extends to Northern Ireland

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

Public Service Pensions

Made 2nd March 2015

Coming into operation 1st April 2015

The Department of Justice 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) and (4) , 4(3) and (5) as read with 4(1), 5(3)(c) as read with 5(1), 7(1), 8(1)(a) M2, 12(6) and (7) M3 and 18(5) to (8) of, and paragraph 7 of Schedule 2, Schedule 3, and paragraphs 1(2)(ii) and 2(2)(ii) and 5(1) of Schedule 7 to, the Public Service Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 M4.

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

In accordance with section 3(5) of that Act, the Department of Finance and Personnel has consented to the making of these Regulations.

Annotations to the whole text

Marginal citations

M1

See also section 1(3) of and Schedule 1 to, the Act;

M2

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

M3

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

M4

2014. c35.

Contents

  1. Part 1: Preliminary
  2. 1Citation, commencement and effect
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. Part 2: Establishment of scheme for members of the police service
  5. 3Establishment of scheme
  6. 4Members of the police service
  7. Part 3: Governance
  8. 5Police pension authority
  9. 6Scheme manager
  10. 7Scheme manager approval
  11. 8Delegation
  12. 9Scheme manager's obligation to pass on member's records
  13. 10Police Pension Board: establishment
  14. 11Police Pension Board: membership
  15. 12Police Pension Board: procedure
  16. 13Police Pension Board: conflicts of interest
  17. 14Payment of fees and expenses
  18. 15Scheme advisory board: establishment
  19. 16Scheme advisory board: membership
  20. 17Scheme advisory board: conflicts of interest
  21. Part 4: Scheme membership
  22. Chapter 1: Active membership
  23. 18Eligible Service
  24. 19Periods of unpaid leave
  25. 20Period of permanent service
  26. Chapter 2: Automatic Enrolment
  27. 21Application of Chapter
  28. 22Interpretation of Chapter
  29. 23Automatic enrolment
  30. 24Opting into this scheme
  31. 25When an opt-in takes effect
  32. 26Automatic re-enrolment
  33. 27Opting out of this scheme
  34. 28Opting out before the end of the initial period of eligible service
  35. 29Opting out after the initial period of eligible service
  36. Chapter 3: Pensionable earnings and assumed pay
  37. 30Pensionable earnings
  38. 31Pensionable earnings during a period of assumed pay
  39. Chapter 4: Eligibility for payment of ill-health benefits.
  40. 32Interpretation
  41. 33Determination of eligibility for payment of ill-health benefits
  42. 34Re-determination of eligibility for payment of ill-health benefits
  43. 35Reduced rate of member contributions
  44. 36Selected medical practitioner's report
  45. 37Appeal against selected medical practitioner's report
  46. 38Revised report by third registered medical practitioner
  47. 39Refusal to be medically examined
  48. 39AElections and Chapter 4A
  49. Chapter 4A: Ill-health benefits 2015 – 2024
  50. 39BApplication of this Chapter
  51. 39CProvision of information
  52. 39DTime period for election application
  53. 39EScheme manager notifications
  54. 39FRevised contributions
  55. 39GEffect of failing to make an election application
  56. 39HNumber of elections
  57. 39IEffect of compliance with this Chapter
  58. Chapter 5: Deferred membership
  59. 40Meaning of “deferred member”
  60. Part 5: Pension accounts
  61. Chapter 1: Accrued pension
  62. 41Descriptions of accrued pension
  63. 42Calculation of amount of accrued pension for purpose of deferment or retirement
  64. Chapter 2: Calculation of adjustments
  65. 43Calculation of “retirement index adjustment”
  66. 44Calculation of “retirement PIA index adjustment”
  67. 45Determination of “the age addition”
  68. 46Determination of “the assumed age addition”
  69. 47Actuarial reduction on early payment of pension (early payment reduction)
  70. 48Late payment supplement
  71. Chapter 3: Pension accounts: general
  72. 49Establishment of pension accounts: general
  73. 50Closure and adjustment of pension accounts on transfer out
  74. Chapter 4: Active member's account
  75. 51Application of Chapter
  76. 52Establishment of active member's account
  77. 53Receipt of a transfer value payment
  78. 54Receipt of a club transfer value payment
  79. 55Amount of pension for a scheme year
  80. 56Opening balance, index adjustment, PIA Index adjustment and age addition
  81. 57Closure and re-establishment of active member's account
  82. 58Active member's account to remain open during periods of unpaid leave
  83. 59Adjustment of active member's account after period of unpaid family leave or unpaid sick leave
  84. Chapter 5: Deferred member's account
  85. 60Application of Chapter
  86. 61Establishment of deferred member's account
  87. 62Provisional amount of deferred pension
  88. 63Adjustment of provisional amount
  89. 64Closure of deferred member's account after gap in service not exceeding 5 years
  90. Chapter 6: Retirement account
  91. 65Establishment of retirement account
  92. 66Amount of retirement earned pension and retirement added pension
  93. 67Closure of retirement account
  94. Chapter 7: Pension accounts for pension credit members
  95. 68Establishment of pension credit member's account
  96. 69Other pension accounts
  97. Part 6: Retirement on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  98. Chapter 1: General
  99. 70Application of Part
  100. 71Police pension authority
  101. 72Medical unfitness
  102. 73Permanent medical unfitness
  103. 74Decision of selected medical practitioner
  104. 75Refusal to be medically examined or attend interviews
  105. 76A report under this Part
  106. Chapter 2: Compulsory ill-health retirement
  107. 77Application of Chapter
  108. 78Member of the police service engaged on relevant service
  109. 79Referral of medical questions for purpose of regulation 80
  110. 80Compulsory retirement on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  111. 81Compulsory retirement of member who was required to continue to serve
  112. 82Compulsory retirement void if appeal is successful
  113. Chapter 3: Early payment of full retirement pension on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  114. 83Application of Chapter
  115. 84Referral of medical questions for purpose of early payment of full retirement pension on grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  116. Part 7: Retirement benefits
  117. Chapter 1: General
  118. 85Application of Part
  119. 86Qualifying service
  120. 87Descriptions of full retirement pension
  121. Chapter 2: Full retirement benefits
  122. 88Entitlement to full retirement pension (active members)
  123. 89Entitlement to full retirement pension (deferred members)
  124. 90Claim for payment of full retirement pension (active members)
  125. 91Notice period for active members
  126. 92Full retirement pension payable at member's state pension age (deferred members)
  127. 93Full retirement pension payable early on grounds of permanent medical unfitness (deferred members)
  128. 94Claim for early payment of full retirement pension otherwise than on grounds of permanent medical unfitness (deferred members)
  129. 95Members who have been dismissed or required to resign
  130. 96Annual rate of full retirement pension (active members)
  131. 97Annual rate of full retirement pension (deferred members)
  132. 98Full retirement pension ceasing to be payable
  133. Chapter 3: Ill-health pension
  134. 99Payment thresholds
  135. 100Entitlement to payment of ill-health pension
  136. 101Payment of ill-health pension
  137. 102Annual rate of ill-health pension under this scheme
  138. 103Deferment of added pension attributable to recent payments
  139. Chapter 4: Reduction of ill-health benefits
  140. 104Referral of medical question for purpose of reduction of benefits
  141. 105Reduction of pension in case of default
  142. 106Refusal to be medically examined
  143. 107Decision of scheme manager void if appeal against decision of selected medical practitioner is successful
  144. Chapter 5: Review of Ill-health benefits
  145. 108Review of lower tier ill-health pension
  146. 109Cancellation of lower tier ill-health pension if medical unfitness ceases
  147. 110Entitlement to enhanced upper tier ill-health pension following claim for payment
  148. 111Entitlement to enhanced upper tier ill-health pension following periodic review
  149. 112Review and cancellation of enhanced upper tier ill-health pension
  150. 113Cancellation of ill-health pension: failure to receive appropriate medical treatment
  151. 114Review and cancellation of full retirement pension which came into payment early on the grounds of permanent medical unfitness
  152. 115Referral of medical questions for purpose of a review
  153. 116Refusal to be medically examined
  154. 117Decision of scheme manager void if appeal against decision of selected medical practitioner is successful
  155. Chapter 6: Payment options
  156. 118Options under this Chapter
  157. 119Exercising an option under this Chapter
  158. 120Option to buy out early payment reduction
  159. 121Option to defer payment of retirement added pension
  160. 122Option to commute part of pension
  161. Part 8: Benefits for pension credit members
  162. 123Interpretation
  163. 124Entitlement to pension credit member's pension
  164. 125Claim for payment of pension credit member's pension
  165. 126Payment of pension credit member's pension
  166. 127Annual rate of pension credit member's pension
  167. 128Pension credit member's rights
  168. 129Option for pension credit member to commute part of pension
  169. 130Option for pension credit member to commute whole pension (serious ill-health)
  170. 131Application of Part to pension adjustment orders
  171. Part 9: Death benefits
  172. Chapter 1: Application of Part
  173. 132Application of Part
  174. Chapter 2: Pensions for surviving adults
  175. 133Surviving adults
  176. 134Meaning of “surviving adult partner”
  177. 135Meaning of “surviving adult's pension”
  178. 136Entitlement to surviving adult's pension
  179. 137Surviving adult's pension payable in respect of pension debit member
  180. 138Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable on death of pensioner member
  181. 139Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable on death of deferred member
  182. 140Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable on death of active member
  183. 141Reduction in pensions in cases of wide age disparity
  184. Chapter 3: Pensions for eligible children
  185. 142Meaning of “eligible child's pension”
  186. 143Meaning of “eligible child”
  187. 144Eligible child's pension
  188. 145Annual rate of eligible child's pension
  189. Chapter 4: Payment of pensions for surviving adults and eligible children
  190. 146Payment of pensions under this Part
  191. 147Suspension and recovery of pensions paid under this Part
  192. 148Provisional payment of eligible child's pensions: later adjustments
  193. 149Adjustment of benefits to comply with the 2004 Act where members die over 75
  194. 150Guaranteed minimum pensions for surviving spouses and civil partners
  195. Chapter 5: Nominations for lump sum death grants
  196. 151Nominations for lump sum death grants
  197. 152Invalid nominations of individuals
  198. 153Recovery of payment if nomination found to be invalid
  199. Chapter 6: Payment of lump sum death grants
  200. 154Payment of lump sum death grants: general
  201. 155Persons who may be paid lump sum death grant
  202. 156Pension protection lump sum death benefit
  203. 157Payment of pension instead of lump sum death grant for members who have reached 75
  204. Chapter 7: Amount of lump sum death grant
  205. 158Meaning of “final pay”
  206. 159Meaning of “annualised final pay”
  207. 160Amount of lump sum death grant payable on death of active member
  208. 161Amount of lump sum death grant payable on death of pension credit member
  209. 162Amount payable under court order to former spouse or civil partner
  210. Chapter 8: Death gratuities
  211. 163Application of Chapter
  212. 164Death gratuities - dependants
  213. 165Death gratuity – estate
  214. Chapter 9: Prevention of duplication of benefits
  215. 166Payment of one benefit only in respect of deceased member
  216. Part 10: Contributions
  217. 167Amount of pensionable earnings
  218. 168Annualised rate of pensionable earnings
  219. 169Rate of member's contributions
  220. 170Payment of member contributions
  221. 171Option to pay member contributions for period of unpaid leave
  222. 172Payment of member contributions for unpaid leave
  223. 173Employer contributions
  224. 174Deduction of payments for added pension under Schedule 3
  225. 175Refund of all member contributions and payments for added pension made by the member
  226. 176Member repays refund of contributions on rejoining this scheme
  227. Part 11: Transfers
  228. Chapter 1: Preliminary
  229. 177Application of Part
  230. 178Interpretation of Part
  231. Chapter 2: Transfers out
  232. 179Transfer payments made to other schemes or pension arrangements
  233. 180Application for a statement of entitlement
  234. 181Statement of entitlement
  235. 182Request for transfer payment to be made
  236. 183Calculating the amount of a transfer value or club transfer value
  237. 184Request for transfer out after member repays to scheme manager a refund received under regulation 183
  238. 185Effect of transfers-out
  239. Chapter 3: Transfers in
  240. 186Application of Chapter
  241. 187Interpretation of Chapter
  242. 188Request for acceptance of a transfer payment
  243. 189Transfer statement
  244. 190Amount of transferred pension
  245. 191Club transfer statement
  246. 192Amount of club transfer earned pension
  247. Chapter 4: England and Wales and Scotland transfers
  248. 193Interpretation
  249. 194Transfers out
  250. 195Transfers in
  251. Part 12: Actuarial valuations and employer cost cap
  252. 196Appointment of scheme actuary and actuarial valuations
  253. 197Employer cost cap
  254. Part 13: Supplementary
  255. Chapter 1: Dual capacity members
  256. 198Meaning of “dual capacity member”
  257. 199Payment of benefits to or in respect of a dual capacity member
  258. Chapter 2: Payment of benefits: general
  259. 200Reduction in pension debit member's benefits
  260. 201Late payment of retirement index adjustment or retirement PIA index adjustment
  261. 202Commutation of small pensions
  262. Chapter 3: Guaranteed minimum pensions
  263. 203Interpretation and application
  264. 204Guaranteed minimum under section 10 of the 1993 Act
  265. 205Contracting-out rights
  266. Chapter 4: Appeals in relation to the payment of benefits
  267. 206Appeals to the Department
  268. 207Limitation on appeals against decision of scheme manager
  269. Chapter 5: Forfeiture and set-off
  270. 208Pension supervising authority
  271. 209Forfeiture: offences committed by members
  272. 210Forfeiture: offences committed by a member's beneficiary
  273. 211Forfeiture: relevant monetary obligations and relevant monetary losses
  274. 212Set-off
  275. 213Forfeiture and set-off: procedure
  276. 214Forfeiture: appeals to the Department
  277. Chapter 6: Payment and deduction of tax
  278. 215Scheme manager to be scheme administrator for purposes of Part 4 of Finance Act 2004
  279. 216Payment on behalf of members of lifetime allowance charge
  280. 217Reduction of benefits where lifetime allowance charge payable
  281. 218Information about payment of annual allowance charge
  282. 219Reduction of benefits where annual allowance charge paid by scheme manager
  283. 219AVoluntary scheme pays arrangement
  284. Chapter 7: General
  285. 220General prohibition on unauthorised payments
  286. 221Calculation of periods of membership and service
  287. 222Procedure on appeals to the Department
  288. 223Evidence of entitlement
  289. 224Provision of benefit information statements to members
  290. 225Transitional provisions
  291. 226Consequential Amendment
  292. Signature
  293. Schedule 1: Medical decisions: appeals and reconsideration
  294. 1Interpretation
  295. 2Appeal against a decision of a selected medical practitioner
  296. 3Referral to the Independent Medical Referee
  297. 4Referral of final decision for reconsideration
  298. 5Referral to an appointed medical practitioner
  299. 6Appointment of appeal tribunal
  300. 7Procedure and costs on appeals to an appeal tribunal
  301. 8Hearing the appeal
  302. 9Written evidence or a written statement
  303. 10Costs payable if hearing is cancelled, adjourned or postponed
  304. 11Costs payable on decision
  305. Schedule 2: Progressive medical conditions
  306. The progressive medical conditions mentioned in regulation 110 are—
  307. Schedule 3: Payments for added pension
  308. Part 1: General
  309. 1Interpretation
  310. 2Meaning of “overall limit of added pension”
  311. 3Amount of accrued added pension may not exceed overall limit of added pension
  312. 4Refund of overpayments
  313. Part 2: Exercising the added pension option
  314. 5Added pension option exercisable by member
  315. Part 3: Periodical payments for added pension
  316. 6Application of Part
  317. 7Member's option to make periodical payments for added pension
  318. 8Cancellation of option by member
  319. 9Periodical payments
  320. 10Amount of added (self only) pension for a scheme year(periodical payments)
  321. 11Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension for a scheme year (periodical payments)
  322. Part 4: Lump sum payments for added pension made by member
  323. 12Application of Part
  324. 13Member's option to make a lump sum payment for added pension
  325. 14Statement of amount of added pension
  326. 15Amount of added (self only) pension (lump sum payment)
  327. 16Amount of added (all beneficiaries) pension (lump sum payment)
  328. Schedule 4: Transitional provisions
  329. Part 1: General
  330. 1Interpretation
  331. 2Meaning of “tapered protection closing date”
  332. 3Pensionable service under a police scheme
  333. 4Continuity of service (1988 transition members)
  334. 5Continuity of service (2006 transition members)
  335. 6Meaning of “active member” of the 1988 scheme or the equivalent 1987 Great Britainpolice pension scheme
  336. 7Meaning of “active member” of the 2006 scheme or the equivalent 2006 England and Wales police pension scheme or 2006 Scotland police pension scheme.
  337. 8Meaning of “active member” of an existing scheme
  338. Part 2: Exceptions for full protection members of the 1988 scheme
  339. 9Meaning of “full protection member” (the 1988 scheme)
  340. 10Exception for full protection member during protection period
  341. 11Active member of the 1988 scheme on scheme closing date
  342. Part 3: Exceptions for full protection members of the 2006 scheme
  343. 12Meaning of “full protection member” (the 2006 scheme)
  344. 13Exception for full protection member during protection period
  345. 14Active member of the 2006 scheme on scheme closing date
  346. Part 4: Exceptions for tapered protection members of the 1988 scheme
  347. 15Meaning of “tapered protection member” (the 1988 scheme)
  348. 16Exception for tapered protection members during protection period
  349. 17Active member of the 1988 scheme on scheme closing date
  350. Part 5: Exceptions for tapered protection members of the 2006 scheme
  351. 18Meaning of “tapered protection member” (the 2006 scheme)
  352. 19Exception for tapered protection members during protection period
  353. 20Active member of the 2006 scheme on scheme closing date
  354. Part 6: Payment of ill-health pension to transition members with continuity of service
  355. 21Meaning of “ill-health pension” in relation to the existing police pension scheme
  356. 22Meaning of “normal pension age under the existing police pension scheme”
  357. 23Transition member who has not reached normal pension age under the existing police pension scheme
  358. 24When transition member reaches normal pension age under the existing police pension scheme
  359. Part 7: Payment of death benefits in respect of transition members with continuity of service
  360. 25Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 1988 transition member dies as a pensioner member
  361. 26Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 2006 transition member dies as a pensioner member
  362. 27Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 1988 transition member dies as a deferred member
  363. 28Annual rate of surviving adult's pensions payable under this scheme when a 2006 transition member dies as a deferred member
  364. 29Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 1988 transition member dies as an active member
  365. 30Annual rate of surviving adult's pension payable under this scheme when a 2006 transition member dies as an active member
  366. 31Payment of eligible child's pension in respect of any transition member
  367. 32Lump sum death grant payable on death of active member
  368. 33Death gratuities – dependents
  369. 34Death gratuity– estate
  370. Part 8: Transitional provisions relating to the existing police pension scheme
  371. 35Pensionable service under the existing police pension scheme
  372. 36Becoming a deferred member of the existing police pension scheme
  373. 37Qualifying for benefits on retirement under the existing police pension scheme
  374. 38Refund of contributions under the existing police pension scheme
  375. 39Calculation of weighted accrual for ... service in the 1988 scheme
  376. 40Calculation of lump sum under the 1988 scheme
  377. 41Declaration under existing police pension scheme continues to have effect
  378. 42Nomination under the existing police pension scheme continues to have effect
  379. Part 9: Transfer of final salary benefits
  380. 43Meaning of “final salary benefit”
  381. 44Acceptance of club transfer value payments
  382. 45Joining this scheme or the 2006 scheme
  383. Part 10: Pensionable service after scheme closing date
  384. 46Transition member with continuity of service
  385. 47Active member of the 1987 Great Britain police pension scheme on scheme closing date who joins 1988 scheme
  386. 48Active member of the 1987 Great Britain police pension scheme on scheme closing date who joins 2006 scheme
  387. 49Active member of the 1988 scheme on scheme closing date
  388. 50Deferred member of 1988 scheme on scheme closing date
  389. 51Active member of the 2006 England and Wales police pension scheme on scheme closing date
  390. 52Active member of the 2006 Scotland police pension scheme on scheme closing date
  391. 53Active member of an existing scheme on the scheme closing date
  392. Schedule 5: Amendment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions Regulations 1988
  393. 1Paragraph 1
  394. 2Paragraph 2
  395. Explanatory note