18.—(1) Membership of the Scheme entitles the member to benefits under this Chapter only if–
(a)his total membership is at least two years; or
(b)a transfer value is credited to him.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply–
(a)to a benefit under regulation 24 (normal retirement) in a case where the member’s normal retirement date is his 65th birthday or under regulation 27(3) (ill-health grants); or
(b)to benefits in respect of a member under regulation 37 (death grants), regulation 39 (surviving spouse’s short-term pension), regulation 40 (surviving spouse’s long-term pension) regulation 44 (children’s short-term pensions) or regulation 45 (children’s long-term pensions).