Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35)

(The document as of February, 2008)

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222 The statutory funding objective

(1) Every scheme is subject to a requirement ("the statutory funding objective") that it must have sufficient and appropriate assets to cover its technical provisions.

(2) A scheme's "technical provisions" means the amount required, on an actuarial calculation, to make provision for the scheme's liabilities.

(3) For the purposes of this Part--

(a) the assets to be taken into account and their value shall be determined, calculated and verified in a prescribed manner, and

(b) the liabilities to be taken into account shall be determined in a prescribed manner and the scheme's technical provisions shall be calculated in accordance with any prescribed methods and assumptions.

(4) Regulations may--

(a) provide for alternative prescribed methods and assumptions,

(b) provide that it is for the trustees or managers to determine which methods and assumptions are to be used in calculating a scheme's technical provisions, and

(c) require the trustees or managers, in making their determination, to take into account prescribed matters and follow prescribed principles.

(5) Any provision of the scheme rules that limits the amount of the scheme's liabilities by reference to the value of its assets shall be disregarded.

223 Statement of funding principles

(1) The trustees or managers must prepare, and from time to time review and if necessary revise, a written statement of--

(a) their policy for securing that the statutory funding objective is met, and

(b) such other matters as may be prescribed.

This is referred to in this Part as a "statement of funding principles".

(2) The statement must, in particular, record any decisions by the trustees or managers as to--

(a) the methods and assumptions to be used in calculating the scheme's technical provisions, and

(b) the period within which, and manner in which, any failure to meet the statutory funding objective is to be remedied.

(3) Provision may be made by regulations--

(a) as to the period within which a statement of funding principles must be prepared, and

(b) requiring it to be reviewed, and if necessary revised, at such intervals, and on such occasions, as may be prescribed.

(4) Where any requirement of this section is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

224 Actuarial valuations and reports

(1) The trustees or managers must obtain actuarial valuations--

(a) at intervals of not more than one year or, if they obtain actuarial reports for the intervening years, at intervals of not more than three years, and

(b) in such circumstances and on such other occasions as may be prescribed.

(2) In this Part--

(a) an "actuarial valuation" means a written report, prepared and signed by the actuary, valuing the scheme's assets and calculating its technical provisions,

(b) the effective date of an actuarial valuation is the date by reference to which the assets are valued and the technical provisions calculated,

(c) an "actuarial report" means a written report, prepared and signed by the actuary, on developments affecting the scheme's technical provisions since the last actuarial valuation was prepared, and

(d) the effective date of an actuarial report is the date by reference to which the information in the report is stated.

(3) The intervals referred to in subsection (1)(a) are between effective dates of the valuations, and--

(a) the effective date of the first actuarial valuation must be not more than one year after the establishment of the scheme, and

(b) the effective date of any actuarial report must be not more than one year after the effective date of the last actuarial valuation, or, if more recent, the last actuarial report.

(4) The trustees or managers must ensure that a valuation or report obtained by them is received by them within the prescribed period after its effective date.

(5) Nothing in this section affects any power or duty of the trustees or managers to obtain actuarial valuations or reports at more frequent intervals or in other circumstances or on other occasions.

(6) An actuarial valuation or report (whether obtained under this section or in pursuance of any other power or duty) must be prepared in such a manner, give such information, contain such statements and satisfy such other requirements as may be prescribed.

(7) The trustees or managers must secure that any actuarial valuation or report obtained by them (whether obtained under this section or in pursuance of any other power or duty) is made available to the employer within seven days of their receiving it.

(8) Where subsection (1), (4) or (7) is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

225 Certification of technical provisions

(1) When an actuarial valuation is carried out, the calculation of the technical provisions must be certified by the actuary.

(2) The certificate must state that in the opinion of the actuary the calculation is made in accordance with regulations under section 222.

(3) If the actuary cannot give the certificate required by subsection (2) he must report the matter in writing to the Regulator within a reasonable period after the end of the period within which the valuation must be received by the trustees or managers.

Section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (civil penalties) applies to the actuary if he fails without reasonable excuse to comply with this subsection.

226 Recovery plan

(1) If having obtained an actuarial valuation it appears to the trustees or managers of a scheme that the statutory funding objective was not met on the effective date of the valuation, they must, within the prescribed time--

(a) if there is no existing recovery plan in force, prepare a recovery plan;

(b) if there is an existing recovery plan in force, review and if necessary revise it.

(2) A recovery plan must set out--

(a) the steps to be taken to meet the statutory funding objective, and

(b) the period within which that is to be achieved.

(3) A recovery plan must comply with any prescribed requirements and must be appropriate having regard to the nature and circumstances of the scheme.

(4) In preparing or revising a recovery plan the trustees or managers must take account of prescribed matters.

(5) Provision may be made by regulations as to other circumstances in which a recovery plan may or must be reviewed and if necessary revised.

(6) The trustees or managers must, except in prescribed circumstances, send a copy of any recovery plan to the Regulator within a reasonable period after it is prepared or, as the case may be, revised.

The copy of any recovery plan sent to the Regulator must be accompanied by the prescribed information.

(7) Where any requirement of this section is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

227 Schedule of contributions

(1) The trustees or managers must prepare, and from time to time review and if necessary revise, a schedule of contributions.

(2) A "schedule of contributions" means a statement showing--

(a) the rates of contributions payable towards the scheme by or on behalf of the employer and the active members of the scheme, and

(b) the dates on or before which such contributions are to be paid.

(3) Provision may be made by regulations--

(a) as to the period within which, after the establishment of a scheme, a schedule of contributions must be prepared,

(b) requiring the schedule of contributions to be reviewed, and if necessary revised, at such intervals, and on such occasions, as may be prescribed, and

(4) The schedule of contributions must satisfy prescribed requirements.

(5) The schedule of contributions must be certified by the actuary and--

(a) the duty to prepare or revise the schedule is not fulfilled, and

(b) the schedule shall not come into force,

until it has been so certified.

(6) The certificate must state that, in the opinion of the actuary--

(a) the schedule of contributions is consistent with the statement of funding principles, and

(b) the rates shown in the schedule are such that--

(i) where the statutory funding objective was not met on the effective date of the last actuarial valuation, the statutory funding objective can be expected to be met by the end of the period specified in the recovery plan, or

(ii) where the statutory funding objective was met on the effective date of the last actuarial valuation, the statutory funding objective can be expected to continue to be met for the period for which the schedule is to be in force.

(7) Where the statutory funding objective was not met on the effective date of the last actuarial valuation, the trustees or managers must send a copy of the schedule of contributions to the Regulator within a reasonable period after it is prepared or, as the case may be, revised.

(8) Where any requirement of the preceding provisions of this section is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

(9) If the actuary is unable to give the certificate required by subsection (6), he must report the matter in writing to the Regulator within a reasonable period after the end of the period within which the schedule is required to be prepared or, as the case may be, revised.

Section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (civil penalties) applies to the actuary if he fails without reasonable excuse to comply with this subsection.

(10) The provisions of subsections (1), (3) and (5) to (9) above do not apply in relation to a schedule of contributions imposed by the Regulator under section 231 or, as the case may be, where such a schedule of contributions is in force.

228 Failure to make payments

(1) This section applies where an amount payable in accordance with the schedule of contributions by or on behalf of the employer or an active member of a scheme is not paid on or before the due date.

(2) If the trustees or managers have reasonable cause to believe that the failure is likely to be of material significance in the exercise by the Regulator of any of its functions, they must, except in prescribed circumstances, give notice of the failure to the Regulator and to the members within a reasonable period.

(3) The amount unpaid (whether payable by the employer or not), if not a debt due from the employer to the trustees or managers apart from this subsection, shall be treated as such a debt.

(4) Section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (civil penalties) applies--

(a) where subsection (2) above is not complied with, to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with that subsection;

(b) to the employer if he fails without reasonable excuse to make a payment required of him--

(i) in accordance with the schedule of contributions, or

(ii) by virtue of subsection (3) above.

(5) This section applies in relation to a schedule of contributions imposed by the Regulator under section 231 as in relation to one agreed between the trustees or managers and the employer.

229 Matters requiring agreement of the employer

(1) The trustees or managers must obtain the agreement of the employer to--

(a) any decision as to the methods and assumptions to be used in calculating the scheme's technical provisions (see section 222(4));

(b) any matter to be included in the statement of funding principles (see section 223);

(d) any matter to be included in the schedule of contributions (see section 227).

(2) If it appears to the trustees or managers that it is not otherwise possible to obtain the employer's agreement within the prescribed time to any such matter, they may (if the employer agrees) by resolution modify the scheme as regards the future accrual of benefits.

(3) No modification may be made under subsection (2) that on taking effect would or might adversely affect any subsisting right of--

(a) any member of the scheme, or

(b) any survivor of a member of the scheme.

For this purpose "subsisting right" and "survivor" have the meanings given by section 67A of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26).

(4) Any such modification must be--

(a) recorded in writing by the trustees or managers, and

(b) notified to the active members within one month of the modification taking effect.

(5) If the trustees or managers are unable to reach agreement with the employer within the prescribed time on any such matter as is mentioned in subsection (1), they must report the failure in writing to the Regulator within a reasonable period.

(6) Where subsection (1), (4) or (5) is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

230 Matters on which advice of actuary must be obtained

(1) The trustees or managers must obtain the advice of the actuary before doing any of the following--

(a) making any decision as to the methods and assumptions to be used in calculating the scheme's technical provisions (see section 222(4));

(b) preparing or revising the statement of funding principles (see section 223);

(d) preparing or revising the schedule of contributions (see section 227);

(e) modifying the scheme as regards the future accrual of benefits under section 229(2).

(2) Regulations may require the actuary to comply with any prescribed requirements when advising the trustees or managers of a scheme on any such matter.

(3) The regulations may require the actuary to have regard to prescribed guidance.

"Prescribed guidance" means guidance that is prepared and from time to time revised by a prescribed body and, if the regulations so provide, is approved by the Secretary of State.

(4) Where subsection (1) is not complied with, section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (civil penalties) applies to a trustee or manager who has failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance.

231 Powers of the Regulator

(1) The powers conferred by this section are exercisable where it appears to the Regulator with respect to a scheme (as a result of a report made to it or otherwise)--

(a) that the trustees or managers have failed to comply with the requirements of section 223 with respect to the preparation or revision of a statement of funding principles;

(b) that the trustees or managers have failed to obtain an actuarial valuation as required by section 224(1);

(c) that the actuary is unable, on an actuarial valuation required by section 224(1), to certify the calculation of the scheme's technical provisions;

(d) that the trustees or managers have failed to comply with the requirements of section 226 with respect to the preparation or revision of a recovery plan;

(e) that the trustees or managers have failed to comply with the requirements of section 227 with respect to the preparation or revision of a schedule of contributions;

(f) that the actuary is unable to certify a schedule of contributions (see section 227(6));

(g) that the employer has failed to make payments in accordance with the schedule of contributions, or that are required of him by virtue of section 228(3), and the failure is of material significance;

(h) that the trustees or managers have been unable to reach agreement with the employer within the prescribed time as to a matter in relation to which such agreement is required (see section 229(5)).

(2) In any of those circumstances the Regulator may by order exercise all or any of the following powers--

(a) it may modify the scheme as regards the future accrual of benefits;

(b) it may give directions as to--

(i) the manner in which the scheme's technical provisions are to be calculated, including the methods and assumptions to be used in calculating the scheme's technical provisions, or

(ii) the period within which, and manner in which, any failure to meet the statutory funding objective is to be remedied;

(i) the rates of contributions payable towards the scheme by or on behalf of the employer and the active members of the scheme, and

(ii) the dates on or before which such contributions are to be paid.

(3) No modification may be made under subsection (2)(a) that on taking effect would or might adversely affect any subsisting right of--

(a) any member of the scheme, or

(b) any survivor of a member of the scheme.

For this purpose "subsisting right" and "survivor" have the meanings given by section 67A of the Pensions Act 1995.

(4) In exercising any of the powers conferred by this section the Regulator must comply with any prescribed requirements.

(5) The powers conferred by this section are in addition to any other powers exercisable by the Regulator under this Act or the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26).

Supplementary provisions

232 Power to modify provisions of this Part

Regulations may modify the provisions of this Part as they apply in prescribed circumstances.

233 Construction as one with the Pensions Act 1995

This Part shall be construed as one with Part 1 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26).

Part 4 Financial planning for retirement

Retirement planning

234 Promoting and facilitating financial planning for retirement

(1) The Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Department may take action for the purpose of promoting or facilitating financial planning for retirement.

(2) The action may in particular include the provision of facilities for the purpose of enabling or assisting an individual or a person authorised by him--

(a) to estimate the financial resources the individual is likely to need after his retirement;

(b) to estimate the financial resources that are likely to be available to the individual after his retirement, from pensions and other sources;

(c) to ascertain what action might be taken with a view to increasing the financial resources available to the individual after his retirement.

(3) This section does not authorise the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department to take action which the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department would otherwise be prohibited from taking under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8) (restrictions on financial promotion).

(4) In this section "the Northern Ireland Department" means the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland.

235 Supply of information for purposes of section 234

(1) This section applies to--

(a) information which is relevant for determining the pensions and other benefits that may become payable to or in respect of an individual;

(b) information which relates to the financial resources of, or available to, an individual;

(i) providing facilities for saving (for retirement or otherwise) by individuals, or

(ii) promoting or facilitating saving (for retirement or otherwise) by individuals.

(2) A person who holds information to which this section applies may supply it to--

(a) the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department, or

(b) a person providing services to the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department,

for use for the purposes of functions under section 234(1).

(3) Information supplied under subsection (2) must not be supplied by the recipient except--

(a) if the information relates to an individual--

(i) to the individual or a person authorised by him;

(ii) to another person, with the consent of the individual;

(b) in any case--

(i) to a person to whom it could be supplied under subsection (2);

(ii) to any person with a view to the institution of relevant criminal proceedings or otherwise for the purposes of relevant criminal proceedings.

(4) In subsection (3) "relevant criminal proceedings" means criminal proceedings under--

(a) the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48);

(b) the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26);

(d) any enactment in force in Northern Ireland corresponding to an Act mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (c).

(5) In this section "the Northern Ireland Department" means the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland.

(6) This section is subject to sections 88 and 202 (tax information disclosed to the Regulator or the Board).

236 Use and supply of information: private pensions policy and retirement planning

Schedule 10 (which makes provision about the use and supply of information for purposes relating to private pensions policy and retirement planning) has effect.

237 Combined pension forecasts

(1) Regulations may require the trustees or managers of an occupational or personal pension scheme to provide any member of the scheme with--

(a) the information specified in subsection (2), together with

(b) the information specified in subsection (3).

(2) The information referred to in subsection (1)(a) is information relating to the member which--

(a) is state pension information for the purposes of section 42 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19),

(b) has been disclosed to the trustees or managers under that section (or, by virtue of that section, is treated as having been so disclosed), and

(3) The information referred to in subsection (1)(b) is information which--

(a) relates to the pensions and other benefits likely to accrue to the member, or capable of being secured by him, under the scheme, and

(b) is of a description specified in the regulations.

(4) Regulations under subsection (1) may require information referred to in that subsection to be provided at a time or times specified in the regulations.

Employee information and advice

238 Information and advice to employees

(1) Regulations may require employers to take action for the purpose of enabling employees to obtain information and advice about pensions and saving for retirement.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular--

(a) provide that they are to apply in relation to employers of a prescribed description and employees of a prescribed description;

(b) make different provision for different descriptions of employers and employees;

(c) make provision as to the action to be taken by employers (including the frequency at which, and the time and place at which, action is to be taken);

(d) make provision as to the description of information and advice in relation to which requirements apply;

(e) make provision about the description of person authorised to provide any such information and advice.

(3) Employers to whom regulations under subsection (1) apply must provide information to the Regulator about the action taken by them for the purpose of complying with the regulations.

(4) Regulations may make provision as to--

(a) the information to be provided under subsection (3);

(b) the form and manner in which the information is to be provided;

(5) Section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (civil penalties) applies to any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with subsection (3).

(6) In this section "employer" means any employer, whether or not resident or incorporated in any part of the United Kingdom.

Part 5 Occupational and personal pension schemes: miscellaneous provisions

Categories of pension scheme

239 Categories of pension scheme

(1) Section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48) (categories of pension scheme) is amended as follows.

(2) The provisions of the section shall become subsection (1) of the section.

(3) In that subsection, for the definitions of "occupational pension scheme" and "personal pension scheme" substitute--

" "occupational pension scheme" means a pension scheme--

(a) that--

(i)

for the purpose of providing benefits to, or in respect of, people with service in employments of a description, or

(ii)

for that purpose and also for the purpose of providing benefits to, or in respect of, other people,

is established by, or by persons who include, a person to whom subsection (2) applies when the scheme is established or (as the case may be) to whom that subsection would have applied when the scheme was established had that subsection then been in force, and

(b) that has its main administration in the United Kingdom or outside the member States,

or a pension scheme that is prescribed or is of a prescribed description;

"personal pension scheme" means a pension scheme that--

(a) is not an occupational pension scheme, and

(b) is established by a person within any of the paragraphs of section 154(1) of the Finance Act 2004; " .

(4) After that subsection insert--

" (2) This subsection applies--

(a) where people in employments of the description concerned are employed by someone, to a person who employs such people,

(b) to a person in an employment of that description, and

(i) interests of persons who employ people in employments of the description mentioned in paragraph (a), or

(ii) interests of people in employments of that description.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), if a person is in an employment of the description concerned by reason of holding an office (including an elective office) and is entitled to remuneration for holding it, the person responsible for paying the remuneration shall be taken to employ the office-holder.

(4) In the definition in subsection (1) of "occupational pension scheme", the reference to a description includes a description framed by reference to an employment being of any of two or more kinds.

(5) In subsection (1) "pension scheme" (except in the phrases "occupational pension scheme", "personal pension scheme" and "public service pension scheme") means a scheme or other arrangements, comprised in one or more instruments or agreements, having or capable of having effect so as to provide benefits to or in respect of people--

(a) on retirement,

(b) on having reached a particular age, or

(6) The power of the Treasury under section 154(4) of the Finance Act 2004 (power to amend sections 154 and 155) includes power consequentially to amend--

(a) paragraph (a) of the definition in subsection (1) of "personal pension scheme", and

(b) any provision in force in Northern Ireland corresponding to that paragraph. "

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