The Pension Protection Fund (Entry Rules) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Consequences of the Board ceasing to be involved with a scheme

20.—(1) Where an assessment period in relation to an eligible scheme comes to an end by virtue of the Board ceasing to be involved with the scheme following the issue of a withdrawal notice under Article 106(2)(b) (insolvency practitioner’s duty to issue notices confirming status of scheme) in relation to the scheme which has become binding then, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), benefits are to accrue under the scheme rules to, or in respect of, any member of the scheme in respect of any period of service in employment during that assessment period which, but for Article 117(5) (admission of new members, payment of contributions etc.), would have qualified that member for those benefits under the scheme rules.

(2) No benefits shall accrue under the scheme rules to, or in respect of, any member of the scheme in the circumstances described in paragraph (1) unless contributions are paid to the scheme by, or on behalf of, that member before whichever is the earlier of –

(a)the end of the period of one year beginning with the date on which the assessment period in relation to the scheme came to an end, and

(b)the end of the period beginning with the date on which the assessment period in relation to the scheme came to an end and ending at least 28 days before the date on which the member requests the trustees or managers of the scheme to put his entitlement to a pension or other benefits under the scheme into payment.

(3) Where, during the period prescribed in paragraph (2)(a) or (b), contributions are paid to a scheme by, or on behalf of, a member in respect of any period of that member’s employment during an assessment period, contributions shall also become payable to the scheme by the employer in relation to the scheme in respect of that period of the member’s employment during that assessment period.

(4) Where, during the period prescribed in paragraph (2)(a) or (b), contributions are paid to a scheme by, or on behalf of, a member of the scheme or by the employer in relation to the scheme in respect of any period of that member’s employment during an assessment period, those contributions must be accepted by the trustees or managers of the scheme for the assessment period or for any part of that period.