The National Health Service Pension Scheme Regulations 2008

Type Statutory-Instrument
Publication 2008-03-11
Last updated 2026-03-28
State In force
Department King's Printer of Acts of Parliament
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articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (vii) is approved as an employing authority by an integrated care board, NHS England or Local Health Board appointed by the Secretary of State to act on his behalf—
  • (aa) pursuant to a written application made by the body to it for that purpose; and
  • (bb) that integrated care board or NHS England, or that Local Health Board being satisfied that the body has met all the conditions for being an OOH provider in this regulation.
  • (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(iii)—
  • (a) a body corporate is to be treated as another person’s associated company if that person has control of it, except if that person is an employing authority; and
  • (b) a person shall be taken to have control of a body corporate if he exercises, or is able to exercise, or is entitled to acquire, direct or indirect, control over its affairs.
  • (3) A company limited by guarantee or other body corporate which provides or is to provide OOH services and which wishes to be approved as an employing authority must make a written application to an integrated care board, NHS England or Local Health Board appointed by the Secretary of State to act on the Secretary of State’s behalf (“the appointed NHS body”).
  • (4) An application referred to in paragraph (3) may specify the date from which approval by the appointed NHS body (if given) shall have effect (“the nominated date”).
  • (5) If a company limited by guarantee or other body corporate makes an application and—
  • (a) the appointed NHS body is satisfied that the company or other body corporate meets the conditions for approval or will do so at any nominated date which is later than the approval date; and
  • (b) it approves that application,

that approval shall take effect on the later of the nominated date and the approval date.

  • (6) If paragraph (5) applies, NHS employment shall be treated as commencing on the later of the nominated date (if any) and the approval date.
  • (7) For the purposes of this regulation the conditions for approval are those referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) as the case may be.
  • (8) The appointed NHS body may give an OOH provider a notice in writing terminating its participation in this Section of the scheme where that provider—
  • (a) does not have in force a guarantee, indemnity or bond as required by the Secretary of State in accordance with regulation 2.C.7;
  • (b) has ceased to satisfy the conditions for approval;
  • (c) has notified the appointed NHS body that any one of the following events has occurred in respect of it—
  • (i) a proposal for a voluntary arrangement has been made or approved under Part I of the Insolvency Act 1986[^f00035] (“the 1986 Act”); or
  • (ii) an administration application has been made, or a notice of intention to appoint an administrator has been filed with the court, or an administrator has been appointed under Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act; or
  • (iii) a receiver, manager, or administrative receiver has been appointed under Part III of the 1986 Act; or
  • (iv) a winding-up petition has been presented, a winding-up order has been made or a resolution for voluntary winding-up has been passed under Part IV or Part V of the 1986 Act or an instrument of dissolution has been drawn up in accordance with section 58 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965[^f00036]; or
  • (v) notice has been received by it that it may be struck off the register of companies, or an application to strike it off has been made, under Part XX of the Companies Act 1985[^f00037].
  • (9) An OOH provider—
  • (a) must give the appointed NHS body notice in writing upon the occurrence of any of the events referred to in paragraph (8)(c) and must give such notice on the same day as that event;
  • (b) that wishes to cease to participate in this Section of the scheme must give the appointed NHS body and its employees not less than 3 months notice in writing (to commence with the date of the notice) of that fact.
  • (10) An OOH provider must cease to participate in this Section of the scheme on—
  • (a) such date as the appointed NHS body may specify in a notice under paragraph (8);
  • (b) the day upon which the period referred to in paragraph (9)(b) expires if a notice under that provision has been given.

CHAPTER 2.B — MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility: general

2.B.1
  • (1) A person is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme on or after 1st April 2015 if conditions A to C are met and the person is not prevented by regulation 2.B.2, 2.B.3 or 2.B.6.
  • (2) Condition A is that the person is in NHS employment.
  • (3) Condition B is that the person—
  • (a) enters NHS employment on or after 1st April 2008 and has service (“relevant service”) as an active member of this Section of the Scheme—
  • (i) ... before 1st April 2012; or
  • (ii) after 1st April 2012, but only where that service is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.K,
  • (b) has not had a break in service for any one period of five years or more ending in the period starting on 2nd April 2012 and finishing on 1st April 2015, and
  • (c) meets all of the “other Section conditions” (see paragraph (5)).
  • (4) Condition C is that the person has not reached the age of 75 and was born on, or before, 31st August 1960.
  • (5) The “other Section conditions” are that—
  • (a) the person has not received a repayment of contributions under regulation 2.C.18 in respect of their relevant service;
  • (b) the person’s rights under this Section of the Scheme in respect of their relevant service have not been extinguished under regulation 2.F.7;
  • (c) the person is not entitled to a repayment of contributions under regulation 2.C.18 by virtue of paragraph (2)(a) to (c) of that regulation.
  • (6) A person—
  • (a) who—
  • (i) was in pensionable employment on 31 March 2012 but ceased to be so after that date, or
  • (ii) ceased NHS employment before 1 April 2012,

and is not the subject of a direction made under section 7 of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967,

  • (b) who would, if paragraph (a) did not apply, fall within regulation 2.B.2(1B) to (1G), and
  • (c) to whom the Treasury’s guidance “Fair Deal for staff pensions: staff transfer from central government” applies,

may, if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate and makes a direction under 7 of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967, be a member of this Section of the Scheme.

Restrictions on eligibility: general

2.B.2
  • (A1) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of service in NHS employment after 31st March 2022.
  • (A2) Paragraphs (1) to (14) of this regulation apply in respect of service in NHS employment before 1st April 2022.
  • (A3) Nothing in paragraphs (1A) and (1C) to (1LF) of this regulation prevents a member’s remediable service within the meaning of section 1 of the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 being treated as pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme in accordance with section 2 of that Act (remediable service treated as pensionable under Chapter 1 legacy schemes).
  • (1) A person who is entitled to the immediate payment of a pension under this Section of the Scheme under a regulation that requires the person not to be in NHS employment may only be an active member in accordance with—
  • (a) regulation 2.D.5 (partial retirement (members aged at least 55)),
  • (b) regulation 2.G.4 (effect of re-employment on tier 2 ill-health pensions),
  • (c) regulation 2.D.13 (exceptions to requirement that NHS employment must have ceased), or
  • (d) Chapter 2.G.
  • (1A) A person who was born on, or after, 1st September 1960 is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of service in NHS employment on, or after, 1st April 2015.
  • (1B) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if that person has had a break in service ending on or after 2nd April 2012, and any of the following apply—
  • (a) that break in service is for any one period of five years or more;
  • (b) that person receives a repayment of contributions under regulation 2.C.18 in respect of their service before that break (see regulation 2.B.1(3)(a));
  • (c) that person becomes entitled to a repayment of contributions under regulation 2.C.18 by virtue of paragraph (2)(a) to (c) of that regulation in respect of their service before that break; or
  • (d) that person’s rights under this Section of the Scheme in respect of their service before that break have been extinguished under regulation 2.F.7 because a transfer value payment is made in respect of them.
  • (1C) A person who on 1st April 2012 has attained the age of 55 may not contribute to or accrue further pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme unless that person either—
  • (a) is, on 1st April 2015, an active member of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 2.B.1; or
  • (b) returns to NHS employment on or after 2nd April 2015 in circumstances where paragraph (1B)(a) does not apply.
  • (1D) Paragraph (1E) applies to a person—
  • (a) who, on 1st April 2012, has attained the age of 51 years and 7 months but has not attained the age of 55, and
  • (b) whose eligibility cessation date has not been reached (see paragraph (1F)).
  • (1E) A person referred to in paragraph (1D) may not contribute to or accrue further pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme unless that person either—
  • (a) is, on 1st April 2015, an active member of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 2.B.1, or
  • (b) returns to NHS employment on or after 2nd April 2015 in circumstances where paragraph (1B)(a) does not apply.
  • (1F) For the purposes of paragraph (1D), a person’s eligibility cessation date is to be determined according to the formula—

$$A−(2×T)$where—A is 1st April 2022T is the number of months (rounded up to the nearest whole month) by which the person’s age on 1st April 2012 is less than 55.$

  • (1G) For the purposes of paragraphs (1C)(b) and (1E)(b), any break in service where the member was in pensionable service in an existing scheme (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the 2013 Act) is to be disregarded.
  • (1H) Paragraph (1I) applies to a person who in the opinion of the Secretary of State—
  • (a) was previously an active member of a corresponding 2008 scheme,
  • (b) the regulations governing that corresponding scheme include provisions pursuant to subsection (5) of section 18 of the 2013 Act or subsection (5) of section 18 of the 2014 Act that provide for exceptions to subsection (1) of those sections, and
  • (c) pursuant to those provisions, the member would have been eligible to re-join that corresponding scheme if the member had returned to NHS employment for the purposes of that scheme on the day the member commenced NHS employment within the meaning of these Regulations.
  • (1I) The Secretary of State may permit a person referred to in paragraph (1H) to join this Section of the Scheme and, for the purposes of paragraphs (1C) to (1G), the member’s previous pensionable employment under the corresponding scheme referred to in paragraph (1H) will be treated as if it were previous pensionable employment under this Section of the Scheme.
  • (1J) Paragraph (1K) applies to a person who, in the opinion of the Secretary of State—
  • (a) was previously an active member in respect of service in an existing scheme (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the 2013 Act or Schedule 5 to the 2014 Act),
  • (b) is not receiving a pension in respect of that service on the relevant day,
  • (c) the regulations of that existing scheme include provisions pursuant to subsection (5) of section 18 of the 2013 Act or subsection (5) of section 18 of the 2014 Act that provide for exceptions to subsection (1) of those sections,
  • (d) pursuant to those provisions, the person would have been eligible to be an active member of the existing scheme if the member had returned to employment for the purposes of that scheme on the relevant day, and
  • (e) the member would, if the member’s previous service in the existing scheme had been previous service under this Section of the Scheme, have been eligible for active membership of this Section of the Scheme on the relevant day pursuant to paragraphs (1A) to (1G).
  • (1K) The Secretary of State may permit a person referred to in paragraph (1J) to join this Section of the Scheme and, for the purposes of paragraphs (1C) to (1G), the member’s previous service as an active member under the existing scheme referred to in paragraph (1J) will be treated as if it were previous service as an active member of this Section of the Scheme.
  • (1L) For the purposes of paragraphs (1J) and (1K) “the relevant day” is the day the member commences NHS employment for the purposes of these Regulations.
  • (1LA) Paragraph (1LE) applies to a person if—
  • (a) paragraph (1LB) is satisfied, and
  • (b) that person’s employment was originally transferred out of the public sector (whether or not the employment from which that person is being transferred for the purposes of paragraph (1LB) to (1LF) is in the public sector).
  • (1LB) This paragraph is satisfied if, in the opinion of the Secretary of State—
  • (a) the person’s employment is transferred to an employing authority by virtue of—
  • (i) a transfer of undertakings, or
  • (ii) arrangements equivalent to a transfer of undertakings; and
  • (b) the employment from which the person is transferred—
  • (i) qualified that person for benefits under an occupational pension scheme, and
  • (ii) the rules of that scheme (in the opinion of the Secretary of State) entitle that person to receive benefits on retirement upon attaining the age of 65 years.
  • (1LC) The reference in paragraph (1LB) to arrangements equivalent to a transfer of undertakings is to arrangements—
  • (a) which the Secretary of State considers to be equivalent to the transfer of an undertaking, and
  • (b) under which the parties to the arrangements have agreed that the rights of a person whose employment is being transferred should, as far as practicable, be treated in the same way as they would have been under a transfer of an undertaking.
  • (1LD) For the purposes of paragraph (1LB)(b)(ii), a person is not to be treated as being entitled under the rules of a pension scheme to receive benefits upon, or prior to, attaining the age of 65 years, where such entitlement arises by virtue of any scheme rule making special provision—
  • (a) as to early retirement on the grounds of ill health, redundancy or otherwise, or
  • (b) for benefits to be reduced for early payment.
  • (1LE) The Secretary of State may permit a person referred to in paragraph (1LA) who would otherwise not be permitted to join this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 2.B.1 to do so and, for the purposes of paragraphs (1C) to (1G), the member’s previous service as an active member under the occupational pension scheme referred to in paragraph (1LB)(b)(i) will be treated as if it were previous service as an active member of this Section of the Scheme.
  • (1LF) Before permitting a person referred to in paragraph (1LE) to join this Section of the Scheme the Secretary of State must take advice from the Scheme actuary.
  • (1M) A person referred to in paragraph (1C), (1E), (1I) , (1K) or (1LE) may elect, using a form provided by the Secretary of State, not to make contributions or accrue further service under this Section of the Scheme in accordance with whichever of those paragraphs apply, but instead (where eligible) to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme.
  • (1N) Such an election—
  • (a) is irrevocable;
  • (b) must be given to the Secretary of State before the date specified by the Secretary of State in the election form;
  • (c) is to be treated as having been given on the date the election form is received by the Secretary of State.
  • (1O) The date referred to in (1N)(b) must be a date that is at least three months later than the date on which the Secretary of State provided the member with an election form.
  • (1P) An election shall be effective from the first day of the member’s pensionable employment in the 2008 Section falling on, or after, 1st April 2015, and from that date—
  • (a) that member is to be treated as if that member had been an active member of the 2015 Scheme, and
  • (b) contributions made in respect of the member in the 2008 Section shall be treated as if they had been contributions made in respect of that member in the 2015 Scheme.
  • (1Q) The Secretary of State may allow a member to exercise an election after the date specified under paragraph (1N)(b) where the Secretary of State considers that the member has not had a reasonable opportunity to consider whether to exercise an election before that date.
  • (2) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme if the person—
  • (a) became a pensioner member of the 1995 Section or a corresponding 1995 scheme on, or before, 1st April 2008 (except if paragraph (1)(b)(i) of regulation 2.B.1A applies to that person), or
  • (b) became a pensioner member of the 1995 Section or a corresponding 1995 scheme on, or after, that date (except if paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (ii) of regulation 2.B.1A applies to that person or that person became an active member of this Section of the Scheme before reaching normal benefit age for the purposes of the 1995 Section), ...
  • (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (3) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of service in an employment if the person is an active member of a superannuation scheme established under section 1 or 9 of the Superannuation Act 1972 in respect of service in that employment.
  • (4) A person who is employed by a GDS or PDS contractor (other than a dentist performer) is not eligible to be an active member of the Scheme in respect of service in that employment.
  • (5) A person who holds an honorary appointment and does not at the same time hold any other employment which entitles him to be a member of this Section of the Scheme is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme.
  • (6) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in any further employment if the person—
  • (a) becomes entitled to a tier 2 pension under regulation 2.D.8, and
  • (b) opts to exchange that pension for a lump sum in accordance with regulation 2.D.15.
  • (7) A person is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in any future employment if the person—
  • (a) ceases to be entitled to a tier 1 ill-health pension under regulation 2.D.8, and
  • (b) becomes entitled to a tier 2 ill-health pension under that regulation on the date the Secretary of State makes a determination under regulation 2.D.9(3).

This is subject to paragraph (8).

  • (8) A person to whom paragraph (7) applies is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in any further employment after the first anniversary of that person’s first day of such employment following the date of the Secretary of State’s determination under regulation 2.D.9.
  • (9) A person who satisfies Condition A or Condition B is not eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of any period of NHS employment on or after 1st July 2009 (“the relevant employment”) with effect from the later of—
  • (a) that date, and
  • (b) the dateon which Condition A or Condition B is met.
  • (10) Condition A is that on or after 13th January 2009—
  • (a) that person is employed by an employing authority,
  • (b) the relevant employment commences in accordance with an arrangement under which it is the intention of the employing authority to retain that person as an employee following that person’s objection to that person’s transfer to another body (which is not an employing authority) (“a retention arrangement”), and
  • (c) but for that retention arrangement—
  • (i) the transfer of that person’s employment would be a relevant transfer for the purposes of the TUPE Regulations, or
  • (ii) that person’s employment would, in the Secretary of State’s opinion, transfer from the employing authority to another employer in the public sector by virtue of an arrangement broadly equivalent to a TUPE transfer.
  • (11) Condition B is that on or after 13th January 2009—
  • (a) that person—
  • (i) is seconded from an employing authority to another body (which is not an employing authority), but
  • (ii) remains an employee of that employing authority during that secondment, and
  • (b) the purpose of that secondment is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, for that person to assist that other body in the discharge of any functions which have previously transferred to that other body from that employing authority.
  • (12) A person referred to in paragraph (9) may be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in respect of the relevant employment referred to in that paragraph if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate, having regard to the nature of that employment andthe circumstances under which ittakes place, to accept that person as such a member.
  • (13) The reference in paragraph (10)(c)(ii) to an arrangement broadly equivalent to a TUPE transfer is to an arrangement—
  • (a) which, having regard to the purpose of the arrangement and its effect on the functions of the employing authority, the Secretary of State considers has that equivalence, and
  • (b) under which the Secretary of State requires the parties to agree that the rights of the person whose employment is being transferred should, as far as practicable, be treated no less favourably than they would have been under a TUPE transfer.
  • (13A) For the purposes of paragraphs (13B) to (13F), a retention arrangement is one under which—
  • (a) a person is seconded from an employing authority (“the sending employing authority”) to another body which is not an employing authority (“the other body”), and
  • (b) that person, pursuant to an intention of the sending employing authority, remains an employee of that authority in circumstances where that person’s performance of services pursuant to a qualifying contract for the other body counts as pensionable service only by reason of that retention arrangement.
  • (13B) A person who on 2nd April 2014, and pursuant to a retention arrangement which was entered into before that date, remains engaged by the other body to perform services pursuant to a qualifying contract, may not, from 1st April 2017 contribute to or accrue pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme in respect of the performance of those services.

This is subject to paragraph (13E).

  • (13C) A person who, pursuant to the retention arrangement referred to in paragraph (13B) is, on 2nd April 2014 engaged by the other body to perform services pursuant to the qualifying contract referred to in that paragraph, may not, from that date contribute to or accrue pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme in respect of the performance of any services under that contract.

This is subject to paragraph (13E).

  • (13D) A person who on, or after, 2nd April 2014 and pursuant to a retention arrangement (other than the one referred to in paragraph (13B)) is engaged by the other body to perform services pursuant to a qualifying contract, may not contribute to or accrue pensionable service under this Section of the scheme in respect of the performance of any services under that contract.

This is subject to paragraph (13E).

  • (13E) The Secretary of State may exceptionally allow a person referred to in paragraph (13B), (13C) or (13D) to contribute to or accrue pensionable service under this Section of the Scheme if the Secretary of State considers that appropriate having regard to the nature of the person’s employment and the circumstances under which it takes place.
  • (13F) Nothing in this regulation prevents the other body referred to in paragraph (13B), (13C) or (13D) from applying for approval as an employing authority pursuant to regulation 2.M.3.
  • (14) In this regulation—
  • “the TUPE Regulations” means the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006;
  • “a TUPE transfer” means a transfer of an undertaking to which the TUPE Regulations apply.

Concurrent employments

2.B.3
  • (1) This regulation applies if for any period a person holds two or more employments in respect of which the person is (or apart from this regulation would be) eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme.
  • (2) The person may only be such a member in respect of so many hours or, as the case may be, sessions in each such employment as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, do not, taken together, exceed a comparable whole-time employment not held concurrently with any other employment.
  • (3) If the person is such a member in respect of two or more employments which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, when taken together exceed a comparable whole-time employment not held concurrently with any other employment, the person is not eligible to be an active member in respect of any employment (or part of an employment) which exceeds a comparable whole-time employment not held concurrently with any other employment.
  • (4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), two or more employments taken together exceed a comparable whole-time employment if the total number of hours or sessions under the employments exceeds the number of hours or sessions that would, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, constitute a comparable whole-time employment under which services of the kinds performed in the two or more employments were performed.
  • (5) For the purposes of this regulation an employment is “whole-time” if it is employment for such number of hours or sessions as in the opinion of the Secretary of State amounts to whole-time employment in the case of an employment for services of the kind performed in the two or more employments.
  • (6) A person may participate in this Section of the Scheme in respect of employment as an officer even if he also participates in Part 3 in respect of concurrent employment as a practitioner.

Joining and leaving the Scheme

Joining the Scheme

2.B.4
  • (1) Subject to paragraph (3), a person in NHS employment who is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme, becomes such a member, unless absent from work for any reason, on either—
  • (a) the commencement of the person’s employment; or
  • (b) where the person has previously opted out of this Section of the Scheme under regulation 2.B.5(1) and is a person to whom section 3 or section 5 of the 2008 Act applies—
  • (i) on that person’s automatic enrolment date, or
  • (ii) on that person’s automatic re-enrolment date, except where the notice referred to in regulation 2.B.5(1) was given within 12 months immediately preceding that date.
  • (2) A person who is eligible to be such a member by virtue of falling within regulation 2.B.1(3)(b) may opt to become such a member by giving notice in writing to the employing authority.
  • (3) A person who has previously exercised an option to opt out of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 2.B.5(1) in respect of an employment in which that person was an active member, and who remains eligible to be an active member in respect of that employment, may opt to join or re-join this Section of the Scheme by giving notice in writing to the employing authority in such form as the Secretary of State requires.
  • (4) A notice under paragraph (3) takes effect—
  • (a) from the beginning of the first pay period to begin after the notice is received by the employing authority, or
  • (b) if the notice specifies a date that is the first day of a later pay period, from that date.
  • (5) A notice under paragraph (3) may not be given by a person who is absent from work for any reason.
  • (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opting out of the Scheme

2.B.5
  • (1) A person who is an active member of this Section of the Scheme in any employment may opt at any NHS time to cease to be such a member by giving notice in writing to the person’s employing authority.
  • (2) A person who so opts ceases to be such a member on the date the notice takes effect.
  • (3) The notice takes effect—
  • (a) from the beginning of the first pay period to begin after the notice is received by the employing authority, or
  • (b) if the notice specifies a later date, from the beginning of the first pay period after that in which the specified date falls.
  • (4) A person to whom paragraph (1)(a) of regulation 2.B.4 applies in respect of an employment who gives notice in writing under paragraph (1) of this regulation within one month of the date of commencing that NHS employment, is treated as not having become an active member by virtue of that regulation.
  • (5) A notice under paragraph (1) shall cease to have effect on the day immediately preceding, as the case may be, the person’s—
  • (a) automatic enrolment date, or
  • (b) automatic re-enrolment date: this does not apply where the notice was given within 12 months immediately preceding that date.
  • (6) This regulation does not apply to a person to whom sections 3, 5 or 8 of the 2008 Act and regulations 9 or 15 of the 2010 Regulations applies (that is, a person who is subject to automatic enrolment or automatic re-enrolment in this Section of the Scheme as a qualifying scheme who does not wish to participate in it): this paragraph does not affect the rights of such a person who subsequently becomes a member of this Section of the Scheme in circumstances where those provisions of the 2008 Act and 2010 Regulations do not apply.

Restriction on further participation in this Section of the Scheme

2.B.6
  • (1) A person who ceases to meet any of conditions A to C in regulation 2.B.1 in an employment or is prevented by regulation 2.B.2 or 2.B.3 from continuing to be an active member in an employment must cease to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme in that employment.
  • (2) Accordingly—
  • (a) a person within paragraph (1) may not make any further contributions to this Section of the Scheme under Chapter 2.C, and
  • (b) any further service of the person is not pensionable service for the purposes of this Section of the Scheme.

CHAPTER 2.C — CONTRIBUTIONS

Basic contributions by members

Contributions by members

2.C.1
  • (1) Each active member must make contributions to this Section of the Scheme (“member contributions”) in respect of—
  • (a) the member’s pensionable pay in accordance with regulation 2.C.2 where the member is not a non-GP provider;
  • (b) the member’s pensionable earnings in accordance with regulation 2.C.4 where the member is a non-GP provider.
  • (2) Member contributions must be made—
  • (a) until the member completes 45 years’ pensionable service, or
  • (b) where the notice required by regulation 2.A.2(3) has been properly received, until the member ceases officer service.
  • (3) In the case of a member who is not a non-GP provider, the member’s employing authority must deduct member contributions from the member’s pensionable pay and pay them to the Secretary of State not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the pay was paid to the member.
  • (4) In the case of a member who is a non-GP provider, the host ... Board must pay to the Secretary of State contributions under this regulation paid to it by the non-GP provider or paid to it by another employing authority not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid to the non-GP provider.
  • (5) Paragraph (6) applies where, despite the provisions of this regulation—
  • (a) a member who—
  • (i) is not a non-GP provider, has failed to pay member contributions; or
  • (ii) is a non-GP provider, has failed to pay such contributions; or
  • (b) an employing authority has failed to deduct such contributions in respect of a member referred to in paragraph (a).
  • (6) The Secretary of State may recover any sum that remains due in respect of contributions referred to in paragraph (5)—
  • (a) in any case where an employing authority has ceased to exist and the member is a non-GP provider member referred to in paragraph (5)(a)(ii), by adding those contributions to the amount of contributions that the non-GP provider is due to pay to the host Board;
  • (b) by deduction from any benefit payable to, or in respect of, the member where the Secretary of State has notified the member of an intention to do so.
  • (6A) Where paragraph (6)(a) applies, the non-GP provider must record the amount of unpaid contributions in a certificate referred to in regulation 2.J.14.
  • (7) Paragraph (6) is without prejudice to any other method of recovery the Secretary of State may have.
  • (8) A member who is absent from service in circumstances within regulation 2.A.4(1) to (3A), may make contributions to this Section of the Scheme in respect of the member’s pensionable pay or, as the case may be, pensionable earnings in accordance with that regulation and whichever of regulations 2.C.2 or 2.C.4 applies to that member.
  • (9) If, apart from this paragraph, the pay or, as the case may be, earnings for a scheme year in respect of a member’s service would not be a whole number of pounds, that pay or, as the case may be, those earnings must be rounded down to the nearest whole pound.

Members’ contribution rate

2.C.2
  • (1) Contributions under regulation 2.C.1(1)(a) must be paid at the member’s contribution rate for the scheme year in question.
  • (2) A member’s contribution rate for each scheme year from 2015-16 is the percentage specified in column 2 of the following table in respect of the corresponding pensionable pay band specified in column 1 of that table into which the member’s pensionable pay falls.
Column 1Pensionable Pay Band Column 2Contribution Percentage Rate
Up to £15,431 5%
£15,432 to £21,477 5.6%
£21,478 to £26,823 7.1%
£26,824 to £47,845 9.3%
£47,846 to £70,630 12.5%
£70,631 to £111,376 13.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount 14.5%
  • (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (3) The Secretary of State shall, with the consent of the Treasury, determine the pensionable pay bands and contribution percentage rates specified in the tables set out in this regulation in respect of each scheme year.
  • (4) Before determining those pensionable pay bands or contribution percentage rates, the Secretary of State must consider the advice of the Scheme actuary.
  • (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Employees

2.C.3
  • (1) For the purposes of this regulation—
  • (a) “previous scheme year” means the scheme year immediately preceding the scheme year in respect of which contributions are payable in accordance with this part (“the current scheme year”); and
  • (b) if a member holds two or more pensionable employments at the same time—
  • (i) the determinations referred to in paragraphs (4) to (21) shall apply to each such employment separately; and
  • (ii) each such employment shall be treated separately for the purpose of paying contributions.
  • (2) For the purposes of determining the relevant annual contribution rate for the current scheme year paragraphs (3) to (15) apply to a member who is in pensionable employment with the same employing authority on both the last day of the previous scheme year and the first day of the current scheme year.

This is subject to paragraphs (16) and (17).

  • (3) For the purposes of paragraphs (4) to (15)—
  • (a) a member shall be regarded as being in pensionable employment throughout the previous scheme year regardless of any period in that year during which the member continued to be employed by the same employer but did not make contributions to this Section of the scheme;
  • (b) for the purposes of calculating the member’s pensionable pay—
  • (i) contributions for any period referred to in (a) shall be deemed to have been paid;
  • (ii) any additional pensionable pay that the member is treated as having received during an absence from work in accordance with regulation 2.A.9 shall be included;
  • (c) the amount of pensionable pay determined in accordance with those paragraphs shall be rounded down to the nearest whole pound.
  • (4) If a member—
  • (a) was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;
  • (b) paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay received during the previous scheme year.

  • (5) If a member—
  • (a) was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;
  • (b) paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by reference to the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment during the previous scheme year.

  • (6) If a member—
  • (a) was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a combination of a whole-time and part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;
  • (b) paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the aggregate of—

  • (i) the member’s pensionable pay received during the previous scheme year in respect of the member’s whole-time employment, and
  • (ii) the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment for that period in respect of the member’s part-time employment.
  • (7) If a member—
  • (a) was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;
  • (b) did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$RPPNDPE×365$where—RPP is the pensionable pay received in respect of that employment for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.$

  • (8) If a member—
  • (a) was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;
  • (b) did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$CWTENDPE×365$where—CWTE is the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.$

  • (9) If a member—
  • (a) was in pensionable employment with an employing authority on a combination of a whole-time and part-time basis throughout the previous scheme year;
  • (b) did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate throughout that previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$(RPP+CWTE)NDPE×365$where—RPP is the pensionable pay received for the whole-time employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;CWTE is the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.$

  • (10) If a member—
  • (a) commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis during the previous scheme year;
  • (b) paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$RPPNDPE×365$where—RPP is the pensionable pay received in respect of that employment during the previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority during the previous scheme year.$

  • (11) If a member—
  • (a) commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis during the previous scheme year;
  • (b) paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$CWTENDPE×365$where—CWTE is the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid for that employment during the previous scheme year in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority during the previous scheme year.$

  • (12) If a member—
  • (a) commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority during the previous scheme year and has since been employed on both a whole-time and part-time basis;
  • (b) paid contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$(RPP+CWTE)NDPE×365$where—RPP is the pensionable pay received for the whole-time employment with that authority during the previous scheme year;CWTE is the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that authority during the previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority during the previous scheme year.$

  • (13) If a member—
  • (a) commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority on a whole-time basis during the previous scheme year;
  • (b) did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year;

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$RPPNDPE×365$where—RPP is the pensionable pay received in respect of that employment for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.$

  • (14) If a member—
  • (a) commences pensionable employment with an employing authority on a part-time basis during the previous scheme year;
  • (b) did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the amount of the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$CWTENDPE×365$where—CWTE is the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.$

  • (15) If a member—
  • (a) commenced pensionable employment with an employing authority during the previous scheme year and has since been employed on both a whole-time and part-time basis with that employing authority;
  • (b) did not pay contributions in respect of that employment at the same percentage rate from the date that employment commenced to the last day of the previous scheme year; and
  • (c) is employed by that authority on the first day of the current scheme year,

the member shall pay contributions during the current scheme year at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined by the formula—

$$(RPP+CWTE)NDPE×365$where—RPP is the pensionable pay received for the whole-time employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;CWTE is the amount the Secretary of State determines would have been paid in respect of a single comparable whole-time employment in respect of the member’s part-time employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment with that authority for the period commencing on the date the member’s contribution rate last changed in that previous scheme year and ending on the last day of that previous scheme year.$

  • (16) If, at any time during the current scheme year, a member commences a new employment, the member shall pay contributions in respect of that employment at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined in accordance with paragraph (20).
  • (17) Subject to paragraph (18), if at any time during the current scheme year, a change is made to a member’s annual rate of pensionable pay or pensionable allowances in respect of an existing employment the member shall pay contributions—
  • (a) from the first day of the next pay period immediately following the pay period in which the change is made at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined in accordance with paragraph (20), and
  • (b) as if the member’s employment had commenced on that date.
  • (18) Paragraph (17) does not apply to a change made to a member’s annual rate of pensionable allowances in respect of an existing employment that is determined by that member’s employer to have been made in respect of —
  • (a) unplanned changes to that member’s duties, or
  • (b) changes to that member’s duties that are unlikely to persist for at least 12 months.
  • (19) If the change to a member’s pensionable pay referred to in paragraph (17) is made in respect of an existing part-time employment, that paragraph shall not apply unless there is a corresponding change to the amount of pensionable pay that would be paid to that member in respect of a whole-time comparable employment.
  • (20) Where paragraph (16) or (17) apply the Secretary of State shall determine the member’s pensionable pay—
  • (a) by applying the formula—

$$EPPNDPE×365$where—EPP is the estimated pensionable pay that the member’s employing authority estimates will be payable to the member in respect of the employment referred to in paragraph (16) or, as the case may be, paragraph (17) during the current scheme year;NDPE is the number of days of pensionable employment from the date that employment commences to the end of the current scheme year, and$

  • (b) if that employment is part-time employment, by determining how much would be paid in respect of a whole-time comparable employment,

with the amount determined under (a) being the member’s pensionable pay for the purposes of this paragraph if that employment is whole-time employment and the amount determined under (b) being the member’s pensionable pay for the purposes of this paragraph if the further employment is part-time employment.

  • (21) If none of paragraphs (4) to (17) apply—
  • (a) the Secretary of State must determine the amount of the member’s pensionable pay, and in doing so shall, in addition to the matters referred to in paragraph (4) of regulation 2.C.2, have regard to the pensionable pay attributable to pensionable employment comparable to the member’s employment, prevailing pay scales and prevailing rates of pensionable allowances, and
  • (b) the member shall pay contributions at the rate specified in column 2 of the table in paragraph (2) of regulation 2.C.2 in respect of the amount of pensionable pay referred to in column 1 of that table which corresponds to the member’s pensionable pay determined in accordance with paragraph (a).
  • (22) If, during the current scheme year—
  • (a) a payment is made to a member in respect of work that was undertaken by that member—
  • (i) during an earlier scheme year, or
  • (ii) during a period before the percentage rate at which contributions are due from that member changed by virtue of paragraphs (16) or (17) of this regulation, or
  • (iii) in part during the scheme year referred to in paragraph (i) and in part during the period referred to in paragraph (ii);
  • (b) that member is in pensionable employment with the employing authority making that payment on the day that it is made; and
  • (c) that payment does not exceed £150,

for all purposes under this Section of the scheme—

  • (i) that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to the member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the current scheme year, and
  • (ii) contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day that the payment is made.
  • (23) If, during the current scheme year—
  • (a) a payment is made to a member in respect of work that was undertaken by that member—
  • (i) during an earlier scheme year, or
  • (ii) during a period before the percentage rate at which contributions are due from that member changed by virtue of paragraphs (16) or (17) of this regulation, or
  • (iii) in part during the scheme year referred to in paragraph (i) and in part during the period referred to in paragraph (ii);
  • (b) that member is not in pensionable employment with the employing authority making that payment on the day that it is made; and
  • (c) that payment does not exceed £150,

for all purposes under this Section of the scheme—

  • (i) that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to the member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the scheme year in which the member’s pensionable employment with that employing authority ceased, and
  • (ii) contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day that the member’s employment ceased.
  • (24) If, during the current scheme year—
  • (a) a payment is made to a member that is determined by that member’s employing authority to have been made in respect of work done during unsocial hours;
  • (b) that payment is made in respect of work undertaken by that member during a period falling within the two calendar months immediately preceding the calendar month in which that payment is made, and
  • (c) on the day that payment is made that member is in pensionable employment with the employing authority by which that payment is made,

for all purposes under this Section of the scheme—

  • (i) that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to that member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the current scheme year,
  • (ii) contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day that the payment is made.
  • (25) If, during the current scheme year—
  • (a) a payment is made to a member that is determined by that member’s employing authority to have been made in respect of work done during unsocial hours;
  • (b) that payment is made in respect of work undertaken by that member during a period falling within the two calendar months immediately preceding the calendar month in which that payment is made, and
  • (c) on the day that payment is made that member is not in pensionable employment with the employing authority by which that payment is made,

for all purposes under this Section of the scheme—

  • (i) that payment shall be treated as if it has been made to that member in respect of work undertaken by that member in the current scheme year,
  • (ii) contributions shall be payable in respect of that payment at the rate applicable to the member on the day the member’s pensionable employment with that employing authority ceased as determined in accordance with this regulation.
  • (26) In any case where paragraph (16) applies and it is apparent at the time when the person becomes an active member in an employment under this Part that the person’s pensionable pay in that employment includes any amount that is variable, that amount is to be taken as such amount as the employing authority consider appropriate for the current scheme year and, in the case of a member who works part time, is the variable amount that would be paid in respect of a comparable whole time employment.
  • (27) If a transfer payment from a corresponding health service scheme is accepted in respect of a person, the person is treated for the purposes of this regulation as if—
  • (a) the person was an active member of this Section of the Scheme during any period during which the person was an active member of that scheme, and
  • (b) the pay by reference to which the person’s benefits under that scheme were calculated was pensionable pay for the purposes of this Section of the Scheme.

Part-time employees

2.C.4
  • (1) Member contributions payable by a non-GP provider under regulation 2.C.1(1)(b) must be paid at the member’s contribution rate for the scheme year in question.
  • (2) A member’s contribution rate is the percentage specified in column 2 of the relevant table in paragraph (15) in respect of the corresponding pensionable earnings band specified in column 1 of that table into which the member’s pensionable earnings fall.
  • (3) The Secretary of State shall, with the consent of the Treasury, determine the pensionable earnings bands and contribution percentage rates specified in the relevant table in respect of each scheme year.
  • (4) Before determining those pensionable earnings bands or contribution percentage rates, the Secretary of State must consider the advice of the Scheme actuary.
  • (5) A non-GP provider member whose pensionable earnings fall into a pensionable earnings band specified in column 1 of the relevant table in paragraph (20) must, in respect of the scheme year in question, contribute the percentage of that person’s pensionable earnings specified in column 2 of that table in respect of that amount: such contributions must be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments throughout that year.
  • (6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), a non-GP provider member’s pensionable earnings are—
  • (a) the estimated amount of that member’s earnings agreed between the host Board and that member having regard to any estimates of pensionable earnings which have been provided pursuant to regulation 2.J.14(12);
  • (b) in the absence of an agreement referred to in sub-paragraph (a), whichever of the following the host Board considers the most appropriate in the circumstances—
  • (i) an estimate of the amount of that member’s earnings that corresponds to that member’s most recent certified pensionable earnings referred to in regulation 2.J.14, or
  • (ii) the amount of earnings that corresponds to the host Board’s estimate of that member’s pensionable earnings from all non-GP provider sources for that year.
  • (7) Where during the scheme year the host Board and the non-GP provider member agree that the estimated amount of that member’s earnings should be different to that last agreed under paragraph (a) of paragraph (6) or last determined under paragraph (b) of that paragraph, that member must pay the monthly contributions determined in accordance with paragraph (8).
  • (8) Those contributions are to be determined as follows—
  • Step 1: agree the member’s new estimated pensionable earnings (Amount A)
  • Step 2: find the percentage rate of contributions payable on Amount A applying the relevant table in paragraph (20)
  • Step 3: find Amount B by dividing Amount A by the percentage rate found at Step 2
  • Step 4: find Amount C by deducting from Amount B the amount of any contributions already paid prior to the new estimate of earnings being agreed
  • Step 5: divide Amount C by the number of whole months of the scheme year remaining to find the amount payable in each such month.
  • (9) A non-GP provider member must pay monthly contributions determined in accordance with paragraph (10), where—
  • (a) during the scheme year the host Board is satisfied that the member’s pensionable earnings will exceed those last agreed under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (6) or last determined under sub-paragraph (b) of that that paragraph,
  • (b) an agreement referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph cannot be reached, and
  • (c) the host Board determines what the new estimated amount of earnings is for the purpose of identifying the rate of contributions to be paid by the member.
  • (10) Those contributions are to be determined as follows—
  • Step 1: take the new estimated pensionable earnings determined in accordance with paragraph (9)(c) (Amount D)
  • Step 2: find the percentage rate of contributions payable on Amount D earnings applying the relevant table in paragraph (20)
  • Step 3: find Amount E by dividing Amount D by the percentage rate found at Step 2
  • Step 4: find Amount F by deducting from Amount E the amount of any contributions already paid prior to the new estimate of earnings being agreed
  • Step 5: divide Amount F by the number of whole months of the scheme year remaining to find the amount payable in each such month.
  • (11) A non-GP provider member must pay contributions determined in accordance with paragraph (12) where, in respect of a scheme year to which one or more of paragraphs (6), (7) and (9) applied throughout that year, that member has—
  • (a) in accordance with regulation 2.J.14, certified their pensionable earnings for that year and forwarded it to the host Board, or the host Board has the figure that represents that member’s final pensionable earnings for that scheme year where that member was not required to certify them, and
  • (b) the amount of earnings referred to in paragraph (a) exceed the amount of earnings used for the purposes of, as the case may be, one or more of paragraphs (6), (7) or (9).
  • (12) Those contributions are determined as follows—
  • Step 1: find the member’s aggregate earnings for the scheme year in question (Amount G)
  • Step 2: find the percentage rate of contributions payable on Amount G applying the relevant table in paragraph (20)
  • Step 3: find Amount H by dividing Amount G by the percentage rate found at Step 2
  • Step 4: find the amount of contributions to be paid by deducting from Amount H the amount of any contributions already paid in respect of that scheme year in accordance with any or all of paragraphs (6), (7) or (9) prior to the certification of earnings in accordance with regulation 2.J.14.
  • (13) For the purposes of paragraph (12), a member’s aggregate earnings are the aggregate of—
  • (a) the certified or final pensionable earnings from all non-GP provider sources, and
  • (b) any additional pensionable earnings the member is treated as having received during an absence from work in accordance with regulation 2.A.9.
  • (14) If a non-GP provider member is engaged under a contract of service or for services by an employing authority or is a partner or shareholder in an employing authority that is not an OOH provider, that authority must—
  • (a) deduct contributions due under this regulation from any pensionable earnings it pays to that person, and
  • (b) if it is not also the host Board, pay those contributions to that Board not later than—
  • (i) except in the circumstances described in paragraph (11), the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid;
  • (ii) in the circumstances described in paragraph 11, at the same time as providing that Board with the certificate referred to in regulation 2.J.14.
  • (15) If a member is in non-GP provider service and concurrently in practitioner service in respect of which the member is liable to pay contributions in accordance with regulation 3.C.1, contributions payable in respect of the member’s non-GP provider service shall be determined under this regulation and contributions payable in respect of the member’s practitioner service shall be determined under regulation 3.C.2.
  • (16) In determining member contributions payable in accordance with this regulation, a host Board must take account of pensionable earnings from all non-GP provider sources, including any pensionable earnings as a non-GP provider determined by another host Board.
  • (17) An employing authority that is not a host Board shall, in respect of any pensionable earnings it pays to a non-GP provider, take advice from any relevant host Board in determining the contributions payable in accordance with this regulation.
  • (18) Where paragraph (17) does not apply, a non-GP provider shall pay member contributions to the host Board.
  • (19) If a non-GP provider is engaged under a contract of service or for services by an employing authority or is a partner or shareholder in an employing authority that is not an OOH provider, that authority must—
  • (a) deduct contributions due under this regulation from any pensionable earnings it pays to that person, and
  • (b) if it is not also the host Board, pay those contributions to that Board not later than the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.
  • (20) For the purposes of this paragraph, the “relevant table” means—

in respect of the 2014-2015 scheme year, table 1;

in respect of each scheme year from 2015-2016, table 2.

Column 1Pensionable Earnings Band Column 2Contribution Percentage Rate
Up to £15,431 5%
£15,432 to £21,477 5.6%
£21,478 to £26,823 7.1%
£26,824 to £49,472 9.3%
£49,473 to £70,630 12.5%
£70,631 to £111,376 13.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount 14.5%
Column 1Pensionable Earnings Band Column 2Contribution Percentage Rate
--- ---
Up to £15,431 5%
£15,432 to £21,477 5.6%
£21,478 to £26,823 7.1%
£26,824 to £47,845 9.3%
£47,846 to £70,630 12.5%
£70,631 to £111,376 13.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount 14.5%

Contributions by employing authorities

Contributions by employing authorities: general

2.C.5
  • (1) The employing authority of a member who is an active member of this Section of the Scheme under this Part must contribute to the scheme, in respect of the pensionable pay, or as the case may be, pensionable earnings of that member, at the rate determined by the Secretary of State and specified in paragraph (4) (“the employer’s standard rate”).
  • (2) In specifying the employer’s standard rate, the Secretary of State must—
  • (a) obtain the consent of the Treasury, and
  • (b) take account of the advice of the Scheme actuary and the cost of providing for any increase in pensions under this Section of the Scheme as a result of orders made under the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 and section 59 of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975.
  • (3) If for any period a person holds more than one employment (whether under a contract of service or for services) with an employing authority in respect of which the person is an active member of the Scheme, this regulation and regulation 2.C.6 apply in respect of each of those employments as if it were the only employment held.
  • (4) The employer’s standard rate is 20.6%.
  • (5) In any particular case the Secretary of State may direct that, for the purposes of this Chapter, “employing authority” includes one or more of—
  • (a) the transferee under a transfer of staff order pursuant to—
  • (i) in the case of England, section 28(4)(b) of, or paragraph 29(3) of Schedule 4 to, the 2006 Act;
  • (ii) in the case of Wales, section 22(4)(b) of, or paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 to, the 2006 (Wales) Act;
  • (b) without limiting sub-paragraph (a), a successor, transmittee or assignee of an employing authority’s business or functions;
  • (c) the last employing authority of a person to whom these Regulations apply.
  • (6) If a non-GP provider is—
  • (a) an employing authority which is a GMS practice, a PMS practice or an APMS contractor, or
  • (b) a shareholder or partner in such an employing authority,

that employing authority shall pay employer’s standard rate contributions to the host ... Board not later than the 7th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.

Contributions by employing authorities: members becoming entitled to pensions under regulation 2.D.11

2.C.6
  • (1) If a pension becomes payable to a member under regulation 2.D.11 (early retirement on termination of employment by employing authority) in circumstances where regulation 2.D.11A does not apply, the employing authority must subject to paragraph (6), make a contribution to the Secretary of State in respect of—
  • (a) the cost of providing the pension under that regulation for the period between the member leaving the employment in which the member was an active member and reaching age 65—
  • (i) before any part of that pension is exchanged for a lump sum under regulation 2.D.14, and
  • (ii) in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, after that pension is reduced in accordance with regulation 2.K.12;
  • (b) the cost of providing for any increase in the rate of the benefits referred to in sub-paragraph (a) for that period as a result of orders made under section 59 of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 (so far as not already met by contributions made under regulation 2.C.5(1)) ; and
  • (c) in the case of a 2008 Section Optant, the additional cost attributable to the early payment of the lump sum to be paid to such an Optant under regulation 2.K.12.
  • (2) If, on a pension under regulation 2.D.11 becoming payable to a member in respect of the termination of the member’s employment with an employing authority (“the first authority”), a pension also becomes payable to the member in respect of pensionable service with one or more other employing authorities, the first authority must , subject to paragraph (6), also make any additional contributions due in accordance with paragraph (1) in respect of that other pension.
  • (2A) Where, on leaving pensionable employment, a pension becomes payable to a member under regulation 2.D.11 in circumstances where regulation 2.D.11A applies, the employing authority must make a single lump sum contribution to the Secretary of State of the relevant amount not less than one month before the pension becomes payable.
  • (2B) The relevant amount is whichever is the lesser of—
  • (a) the amount the Secretary of State determines, having regard to the advice of the Scheme actuary, is required to meet the cost of the pension under regulation 2.D.11 and any lump sum under regulation 2.K.12 in circumstances where regulation 2.D.11A applies; and
  • (b) the amount the employing authority would otherwise be required to pay to the member in consequence of the member’s redundancy.
  • (3) An employing authority is not responsible for meeting any costs in respect of the early payment of benefits to the extent that the benefits are attributable to contributions made under regulation 2.C.8, 2.C.10 or 2.C.11.
  • (4) Any contributions payable under this regulation must be paid—
  • (a) except in a case within paragraph (b), by a single payment made within one month of the date on which the pension under regulation 2.D.11 became payable, or
  • (b) if the Secretary of State agrees, by not more than 5 equal annual instalments, the first of which is to be paid within one month of the date on which the pension under regulation 2.D.11 became payable and the others by 31 October in each of the following 4 scheme years.
  • (4A) Sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (4) does not apply where the member leaves the employment in which the member was an active member on, or after, 1st April 2013.
  • (5) The following amounts must be determined by the Secretary of State on the advice of the Scheme actuary—
  • (a) the costs mentioned in paragraph (1),
  • (b) the amount of the payment mentioned in paragraph (4)(a), and
  • (c) the amount of each of the instalments payable under paragraph (4)(b).
  • (6) In the case of an employing authority which is an Independent Provider, any contributions that are due to the Secretary of State under this regulation must be—
  • (a) determined by the Secretary of State on the advice of the Scheme actuary;
  • (b) paid by way of a single lump sum payment;
  • (c) received by the Secretary of State within 1 month of the date on which the Provider is notified of the amount of those contributions due.
  • (7) Where a Provider fails to make the payment in accordance with paragraph (6)(c), entitlement to benefits under regulation 2.D.11 ceases.

Guarantees, indemnities and bonds

2.C.7
  • (1) This regulation applies if—
  • (a) an employing authority fails to pay contributions or has previously failed to do so in accordance with regulation 2.C.5 or 2.C.6, and
  • (b) the authority is—
  • (i) a GMS practice;
  • (ii) a PMS practice;
  • (iii) an APMS contractor; or
  • (iv) an OOH provider.
  • (v) an Independent Provider.
  • (2) The Secretary of State may require the authority to have in force a guarantee, indemnity or bond which provides for payment to the Secretary of State, should that authority fail to meet them, of all future liabilities of the authority (or such liabilities as are specified by the Secretary of State) under—
  • (a) this Part, or
  • (b) the National Health Service Pension Scheme (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 2000[^f00044].
  • (3) The guarantee, indemnity or bond must be in such form, in respect of such an amount and provided by such a person as the Secretary of State approves for the purpose.

Additional contributions to purchase additional pensions

Member’s option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pension

2.C.8
  • (1) An active member may opt to make additional periodical contributions by monthly instalments during the contribution option period—
  • (a) to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 2.D (retirement benefits for members)(including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member’s pension for three or six months under Chapter 2.E (death benefits)), or
  • (b) to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners and dependent children under Chapter 2.E (death benefits) in respect of the member.
  • (2) A member may exercise the option under paragraph (1) more than once.
  • (3) If a member exercises an option under paragraph (1), the member’s employing authority must —
  • (a) deduct the member’s contributions from the member’s earnings, and
  • (b) pay them to the Secretary of State not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid.
  • (4) The annual amount of the periodical contributions payable at the beginning of the contribution option period must not be —
  • (a) an amount less than the minimum amount, or
  • (b) an amount other than a multiple of the minimum amount.
  • (5) In paragraph (4) “the minimum amount” means the amount that would, in accordance with tables prepared for the Secretary of State by the Scheme actuary for the scheme year in which the contributions are paid, be the amount of the contributions required to secure an increase in the member’s pension of—
  • (a) £250, or
  • (b) such other amount as the Secretary of State may for the time being determine,

assuming that the contributions are made in accordance with the option for the remainder of the option period.

  • (6) The tables referred to in paragraph (5)—
  • (a) may specify different amounts for different descriptions of members, and
  • (b) may be amended during a scheme year,

but no such amendment affects the contributions payable during that year under any option, except an option under which contributions begin to be paid after the date on which the amendment takes effect.

  • (7) The total increase in the member’s pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of—
  • (a) contributions made under regulation 2.C.10 (member’s option to pay additional lump sum contributions to purchase additional pension), or
  • (b) contributions made under regulation 2.C.11 (payment of additional lump sum contributions by employing authority),

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Secretary of State may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member’s pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 3.C.6 to 3.C.15).

  • (8) In this Part “the contribution option period”, in relation to an option under this regulation, means a period of whole years, that—
  • (a) is specified in the option,
  • (b) begins with the pay period in respect of which the first contribution is made under the option,
  • (c) is not less than 1 year nor more than 20 years, and
  • (d) does not end later than the member’s 65th birthday.
  • (9) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 2.K.4.

Effect of member being absent or leaving and rejoining this Section of the Scheme during the contribution option period

2.C.9
  • (1) This paragraph applies if during the contribution option period a member who has exercised the option under regulation 2.C.8—
  • (a) is absent from work because of illness or injury,
  • (b) is on maternity leave,
  • (c) is on adoption leave,
  • (d) is on paternity leave,
  • (e) is on parental leave , shared parental leave or parental bereavement leave, or
  • (f) is on a leave of absence of the kind mentioned in regulation 2.A.4(3).
  • (2) If paragraph (1) applies—
  • (a) the contributions under the option continue to be payable unless the member ceases paying contributions under regulation 2.C.1, and
  • (b) where the member does so cease, the member may continue to make contributions in accordance with the option if the member resumes making contributions under regulation 2.C.1 before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member first ceased to pay those contributions.
  • (3) This paragraph applies if—
  • (a) a member exercises the option under regulation 2.C.8,
  • (b) the member ceases to be an active member during the contribution option period, and
  • (c) the member becomes an active member again before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member ceased to be an active member.
  • (4) If paragraph (3) applies, the member may continue to make contributions in accordance with the option after becoming an active member again unless a repayment of contributions has been made to the member under regulation 2.C.18.
  • (5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) it does not matter whether the member has paid any of the repaid contributions back to the Secretary of State.

Member’s option to pay lump sum contribution to purchase additional pension

2.C.10
  • (1) An active member may opt to make a single lump sum contribution—
  • (a) to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 2.D (retirement benefits for members) (including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member’s pension for three or six months under Chapter 2.E (death benefits)), or
  • (b) to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners or dependent children under Chapter 2.E (death benefits) in respect of the member.
  • (2) A member may only make a contribution under this regulation of an amount that is—
  • (a) not less than the minimum amount, or
  • (b) in the case of an amount exceeding the minimum amount, a multiple of the minimum amount.
  • (3) In paragraph (2) “the minimum amount” means the amount that is, in accordance with tables prepared for the Secretary of State by the Scheme actuary, the amount of the single contribution required at the time that the option is exercised to secure an increase in the member’s pension of—
  • (a) £250, or
  • (b) such other amount as the Secretary of State may for the time being determine.
  • (4) A member may exercise the option under paragraph (1) more than once.
  • (5) If a member exercises an option under paragraph (1)—
  • (a) the additional contribution is payable by the member to the employing authority—
  • (i) by deduction from the member’s earnings or otherwise, and
  • (ii) before the end of the period of 1 month beginning with the day on which the member is notified by the Secretary of State that the option is accepted, and
  • (b) the employing authority must pay it to the Secretary of State not later than the 19th day of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid or, as the case may be, the authority received payment of the contribution.
  • (6) The total increase in the member’s pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of—
  • (a) contributions made under regulation 2.C.8 (member’s option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pension), or
  • (b) contributions made under regulation 2.C.11 (payment of additional lump sum contributions by employing authority),

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Secretary of State may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member’s pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 3.C.6 to 3.C.15).

  • (7) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 2.K.4.

Payment of additional lump sum contributions by employing authority

2.C.11
  • (1) The employing authority of an active member may opt to make a single lump sum contribution—
  • (a) to increase by a specified amount the benefits payable to the member under Chapter 2.D (retirement benefits for members) (including if a member dies after a pension becomes payable, the benefits paid to a surviving partner and dependent children at the same rate as the member’s pension for three or six months under Chapter 2.E (death benefits)), or
  • (b) to increase by a specified amount those benefits and to increase the benefits otherwise payable in respect of surviving partners or dependent children under Chapter 2.E (death benefits) in respect of the member.
  • (2) An employing authority may only make a contribution under this regulation of an amount that is—
  • (a) not less than the minimum amount (as defined in regulation 2.C.10(3)), and
  • (b) in the case of an amount exceeding the minimum amount, a multiple of the minimum amount (as so defined).
  • (3) An employing authority may only exercise the option under paragraph (1) with the member’s consent, but may exercise it more than once in respect of the same member.
  • (4) The total increase in the member’s pension as a result of contributions made under this regulation, taken together with any increase as a result of—
  • (a) contributions made under regulation 2.C.8 (member’s option to pay additional periodical contributions to purchase additional pension), or
  • (b) contributions made under regulation 2.C.10 (member’s option to pay lump sum contribution to purchase additional pension),

may not exceed £5000 or such other amount as the Secretary of State may for the time being determine (taking into account any increase in the member’s pension as a result of the exercise of an option in accordance with regulations 3.C.6 to 3.C.15).

  • (5) A contribution under this regulation must be paid by the employing authority to the Secretary of State within one month of the date on which the authority gave the Secretary of State notice under regulation 2.C.12(2).
  • (6) In the case of a 2008 Section Optant, this regulation is subject to regulation 2.K.4.

Exercise of options under regulations 2.C.8, 2.C.10 and 2.C.11

2.C.12
  • (1) A member exercising an option under regulation 2.C.8 or 2.C.10 must do so by giving notice in writing to the employing authority giving such information as may be required and must, at the same time, provide the Secretary of State with a copy of that notice.
  • (2) An employing authority exercising an option under regulation 2.C.11 must do so by giving notice in writing to the Secretary of State, giving such information as may be required.
  • (3) An option under regulation 2.C.8, 2.C.10 or 2.C.11 may not be exercised during a period whilst the member is absent from work for any reason.
  • (4) For the purposes of this Part—
  • (a) a member is treated as exercising an option under regulation 2.C.8 or 2.C.10 on the date on which the employing authority receives the member’s notice under paragraph (1), and
  • (b) an employing authority is treated as exercising an option under regulation 2.C.11 on the date on which the Secretary of State receives the authority’s notice under paragraph (2).
  • (5) The Secretary of State may refuse to accept an option exercised under regulation 2.C.8, 2.C.10 or 2.C.11 and must do so if not satisfied that—
  • (a) the member is in good health, and
  • (b) in the case of an option exercised under regulation 2.C.8, there is no reason why the member’s health should prevent the member from paying the contributions for the whole contribution period.
  • (6) If the Secretary of State refuses to accept such an option—
  • (a) the Secretary of State must give notice in writing of that fact—

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