Pensions Act 2011
2011 c. 19An Act to make provision relating to pensions; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[3rd November 2011]
Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Part 1 State pension¶
1 Equalisation of and increase in pensionable age for men and women¶
2 Abolition of certain additions to the state pension¶
F43 Consolidation of additional pension¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I14Part 2 Automatic enrolment¶
I1I414 Automatic re-enrolment where scheme membership interrupted¶
;
.
I2I465 Earnings trigger for automatic enrolment and re-enrolment¶
I3I426 Postponement or disapplication of automatic enrolment¶
4 Postponement or disapplication of automatic enrolment
- “staging date”, in relation to an employer of a particular description, means the date prescribed under section 12 in relation to employers of that description;
- “starting day” means—
- E's staging date, in the case of a notice under subsection (1);
- the day on which the worker begins to be employed by E, in the case of a notice under subsection (2);
- the day on which the worker becomes a jobholder to whom section 3 applies, in the case of a notice under subsection (3).
;
I4I867 Timing of automatic re-enrolment¶
In section 6 of the 2008 Act (timing of automatic re-enrolment) in subsection (1)(b) for “three years” substitute “ 2 years and 9 months ”.I5I168 Review of earnings trigger and qualifying earnings band¶
14 Review of earnings trigger and qualifying earnings band
I6I369 Rounded figures for earnings trigger and qualifying earnings band¶
After section 15 of the 2008 Act insert—15A Power to specify rounded figures
F110 Qualifying schemes: administration charges¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I7I4311 Test scheme standard for schemes that produce sum of money for provision of benefits¶
23 Test scheme
I8I3712 Certification that alternative to quality requirement is satisfied¶
;
- “alternative requirement” means a requirement prescribed under subsection (2)(b);
- “employer contributions”, in relation to an active member of a scheme, means the amount of contributions that have to be paid under the scheme in respect of the member by the employer;
- “total contributions”, in relation to an active member of a scheme, means the total amount of contributions that have to be paid under the scheme in respect of the member by the employer and by the member.
I9I3813 Certification for non-UK schemes¶
;
I10I4414 Transitional period for defined benefits and hybrid schemes to be optional¶
I11I4515 Arrangements where transitional conditions cease to be satisfied¶
I12I4716 Power of managers to modify by resolution¶
In section 32 of the 2008 Act (power of trustees to modify by resolution) in subsection (1) and in the heading after “trustees” insert “ or managers ”.I13I4817 No indemnification for civil penalties¶
In section 256 of the Pensions Act 2004 (no indemnification for fines or civil penalties) in subsection (1)(b)—F218 Power to exempt certain cross-border employment from enrolment duty¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part 3 Occupational pension schemes¶
Indexation and revaluation¶
I1719 Indexation and revaluation¶
2A
,
- “consumer prices index” means—
- the general index of consumer prices (for all items) published by the Statistics Board, or
- where that index is not published for a month, any substituted index or figures published by the Board;
- “retail prices index” means—
- the general index of retail prices (for all items) published by the Statistics Board, or
- where that index is not published for a month, any substituted index or figures published by the Board.
20I15 Pension compensation: annual increases in periodic compensation¶
I1821 Indexation requirements for cash balance benefits¶
51ZB Meaning of “cash balance benefit”
Pension Protection Fund¶
I19I50I6722 Pension Protection Fund¶
Schedule 4 (which makes provision relating to the Pension Protection Fund) has effect.Financial assistance scheme¶
I2023 Financial assistance scheme: amount of payments¶
I2124 Financial assistance scheme: transfer of assets¶
In section 286 of the Pensions Act 2004 (financial assistance scheme) in subsection (3)(c) (power to make provision for property, rights and liabilities of qualifying pension schemes to be transferred to the scheme manager) for “the scheme manager” substitute “ a prescribed person ”.Miscellaneous¶
25 Payment of surplus to employer: transitional power to amend scheme¶
.
;
I2226 Contribution notices and financial support directions¶
27 Technical amendment to Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act 2007¶
In Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act 2007 (abolition of contracting-out for defined contribution pension schemes) in paragraph 60(4) for paragraphs (b) and (c) substitute—28 Technical amendment to section 42(6) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993¶
C1 Part 4 Money purchase benefits¶
I85C2C129 C1Definition of money purchase benefits¶
181B Money purchase benefits: supplementary
99A Money purchase benefits: supplementary
1A
30 Transitional¶
31 Consequential and supplementary¶
.
32 Power to make further provision¶
33 Regulations¶
Part 5 Judicial pensions¶
I2334 Contributions towards cost of judicial pensions etc¶
Contributions
9A Contributions towards cost of judicial pension etc
- “prescribed” means specified in, or determined in accordance with, regulations;
- “relevant benefits” means—
- a pension under section 2;
- a lump sum under section 4;
- payments by way of pension or lump sum under section 19, so far as relating to a pension or lump sum within paragraph (a) or (b).
Part 6 Miscellaneous and general¶
Miscellaneous¶
I2435 Grants by the Secretary of State to advisory bodies etc¶
I4936 Service of documents and electronic working¶
144A Service of documents and electronic working
In sections 303 to 305 of the Pensions Act 2004 (service of documents and electronic working) references to that Act are to be treated as including references to the following provisions of this Act—- Chapters 2 and 3 of Part 1;
- section 60(1)(c);
- Chapter 1 of Part 3.
General¶
37 Extent¶
An amendment or repeal by this Act has the same extent as the enactment amended or repealed.38 Commencement¶
39 Short title¶
This Act may be cited as the Pensions Act 2011.SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Equalisation of and increase in pensionable age for men and women: consequential amendments
Section 1
Gas Act 1986 (c. 44)¶
Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)¶
Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26)¶
Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17)¶
Pensions Act 2007 (c. 22)¶
F5SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Abolition of certain additions to the state pension: consequential amendments etc
Section 2
F5Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4)¶
F5Repeals of spent enactments¶
F3SCHEDULE 3 ¶
Consolidation of additional pension
Section 3
F3Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4)¶
F3Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)¶
F3Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48)¶
F3Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30)¶
SCHEDULE 4 ¶
Pension Protection Fund
Section 22
Requirements to obtain actuarial valuations¶
143A Determinations under section 143
.
.
Requirement to obtain protected benefits quotation¶
Removal of restriction on transfer notices¶
Parliamentary control of subordinate legislation¶
Pension credit members¶
, and
, and
, and
Postponement of compensation¶
Postponement of compensation
.
.
.
.
, and
, and
- “underlying rate” means, in the case of periodic compensation under paragraph 5, 8, 11 or 15, the aggregate of—
- so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to post-1997 service,
- so much of the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(aa) of the paragraph in question as is attributable to post-1997 service, and
- the amount within sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph immediately before the indexation date.
Pension compensation sharing: postponement of compensation¶
Postponement of compensation
.
.
, and
.
Calculation of compensation: admissible rules etc¶
, and
SCHEDULE 5 ¶
Contributions towards cost of judicial pensions etc
Section 34
Part 1 Contributions towards cost of judicial pensions¶
District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 1960 (c. 2 (N.I.))¶
8A Contributions towards cost of pension etc
- “prescribed” means specified in, or determined in accordance with, regulations;
- “relevant benefits” means—
- a pension under section 2;
- a lump sum under section 3;
- “relevant service” means service as a district judge (magistrates' courts) in Northern Ireland.
Judicial Pensions Act 1981 (c. 20)¶
33ZA Contributions towards cost of certain judicial pensions etc
- “the appropriate Minister” means—
- in relation to offices existing only in Scotland, the Secretary of State, or
- subject to paragraph (a), the Lord Chancellor;
- “prescribed” means specified in, or determined in accordance with, regulations;
- “relevant benefits” means—
- a pension under section 7 or Schedule 1;
- a pension for a sheriff (but not a sheriff principal) under section 1 of the Sheriffs' Pensions (Scotland) Act 1961;
- a lump sum under section 17, so far as relating to a pension within paragraph (a) or (b);
- “relevant service”—
- in relation to a pension under section 7 or a lump sum under section 17 so far as relating to such a pension, means service as a stipendiary magistrate in England or Wales;
- in relation to a pension for service in an office in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 (except where under paragraph 3 of that Schedule this section does not apply) or a lump sum under section 17 so far as relating to such a pension, means relevant service as defined in paragraph 2 of that Schedule in relation to the office;
- in relation to a pension for a sheriff (but not a sheriff principal) under section 1 of the Sheriffs' Pensions (Scotland) Act 1961 or a lump sum under section 17 so far as relating to such a pension, means service as a sheriff (but not a sheriff principal).
Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4) ¶
Part 2 Minor amendments relating to judicial pensions¶
Sheriffs' Pensions (Scotland) Act 1961 (c. 42) ¶
Judicial Pensions Act 1981 (c. 20)¶
Footnotes
- I1Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I2Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I3Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I4Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I5Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I6Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I7Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I8Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I9Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I10Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I11Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I12Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I13Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I14Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) partly in force; Pt. 2 (ss. 4-18) in force at 3.11.2011 in so far as it confers power to make subordinate legislation see s. 38(1).
- I15S. 20 in force at 1.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 2
- I16S. 8 in force at 3.1.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(a)
- I17S. 19 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(b)
- I18S. 21 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(c)
- I19S. 22 in force at 3.1.2012 for specified purposes by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(d)
- I20S. 23 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(e)
- I21S. 24 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(e)
- I22S. 26 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(f)
- I23S. 34 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(g)
- I24S. 35 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(h)
- I25Sch. 4 para. 1 in force at 3.1.2012 for specified purposes by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(i)(i)
- I26Sch. 4 para. 17 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(i)(ii)
- I27Sch. 4 para. 18 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(i)(iii)
- I28Sch. 4 para. 19 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(i)(iv)
- I29Sch. 4 para. 20 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(i)(iv)
- I30Sch. 4 para. 37 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(i)(v)
- I31Sch. 5 para. 1 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(j)
- I32Sch. 5 para. 2 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(j)
- I33Sch. 5 para. 3 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(j)
- I34Sch. 5 para. 4 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(j)
- I35Sch. 5 para. 5 in force at 3.1.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 3(j)
- I36S. 9 in force at 6.3.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/682, art. 2(a)
- I37S. 12 in force at 6.3.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/682, art. 2(b)
- I38S. 13 in force at 6.3.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/682, art. 2(c)
- I39S. 2(1)-(4) (9) (10) in force at 6.4.2012 by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 4(a)
- I40S. 2(7) in force at 6.4.2012 for specified purposes by S.I. 2011/3034, art. 4(d)
- I41S. 4 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(1)(a)
- I42S. 6 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(1)(b)
- I43S. 11 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(1)(c)
- I44S. 14 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(1)(d)
- I45S. 15 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(1)(e)
- I46S. 5 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(2)(a)
- I47S. 16 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(2)(b)
- I48S. 17 in force at 30.6.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(2)(c)
- I49S. 36 in force at 30.6.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 2(2)(d)
- I50S. 22 in force at 23.7.2012 for specified purposes by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(a)
- I51Sch. 4 para. 1 in force at 23.7.2012 for specified purposes by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(i)
- I52Sch. 4 para. 2 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I53Sch. 4 para. 3 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I54Sch. 4 para. 4 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I55Sch. 4 para. 5 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I56Sch. 4 para. 6 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I57Sch. 4 para. 7 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I58Sch. 4 para. 8 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I59Sch. 4 para. 9 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I60Sch. 4 para. 10 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I61Sch. 4 para. 11 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I62Sch. 4 para. 12 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I63Sch. 4 para. 13 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(ii)
- I64Sch. 4 para. 14 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(iii)
- I65Sch. 4 para. 15 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(iii)
- I66Sch. 4 para. 16 in force at 23.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1681, art. 3(b)(iii)
- I67S. 22 in force at 13.3.2013 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(a)
- I68Sch. 4 para. 1 in force at 13.3.2013 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(i)
- I69Sch. 4 para. 21 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I70Sch. 4 para. 22 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I71Sch. 4 para. 23 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I72Sch. 4 para. 24 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I73Sch. 4 para. 25 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I74Sch. 4 para. 26 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I75Sch. 4 para. 27 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I76Sch. 4 para. 28 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(ii)
- I77Sch. 4 para. 29 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I78Sch. 4 para. 30 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I79Sch. 4 para. 31 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I80Sch. 4 para. 32 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I81Sch. 4 para. 33 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I82Sch. 4 para. 34 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I83Sch. 4 para. 35 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- I84Sch. 4 para. 36 in force at 13.3.2013 by S.I. 2013/585, art. 2(b)(iii)
- C1Pt. 4 excluded (24.7.2014) by The Pensions Act 2011 (Transitional, Consequential and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1711), regs. 1(1), 6, 41, 44(1), 47(1), 72(1), 76(1); coming into force immediately after s. 29 of Pensions Act 2011 - see S.I. 2014/1683, art. 2
- C2S. 29 restricted (24.7.2014) by The Pensions Act 2011 (Transitional, Consequential and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1711), regs. 1(1), 69(2) (with regs. 6, 41, 44(1), 47(1), 69(2), 72(1), 76(1)); coming into force immediately after s. 29 of 2011 c 19 - see S.I. 2014/1683, art. 2
- I85S. 29 in force at 24.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/1683, art. 2
- F1S. 10 repealed (11.9.2014) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 18 para. 12; S.I. 2014/2377, art. 2(1)(a)(i)(2)(k)
- F2S. 18 repealed (11.9.2014) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), ss. 38(3)(c), 56(1); S.I. 2014/2377, art. 2(1)(a)(i)(2)(c)
- F3Sch. 3 repealed (1.10.2014) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(4), Sch. 12 para. 97(b); S.I. 2014/2377, art. 2(1)(a)(ii)(3)(c)
- F4S. 3 repealed (1.10.2014) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(4), Sch. 12 para. 97(b); S.I. 2014/2377, art. 2(1)(a)(ii)(3)(c)
- I86S. 7 in force at 1.4.2015 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2015/676, art. 2
- F5Sch. 2 repealed (6.4.2016 unless brought into force earlier by an order under s. 56(1) of the amending Act) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(4), Sch. 12 para. 97(a)
- F6S. 2(5)-(9) repealed (6.4.2016 unless brought into force earlier by an order under s. 56(1) of the amending Act) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(4), Sch. 12 para. 97(a)
- F7Words in s. 32(1)(a) substituted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 1.8.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), ss. 6(2)(a)(i), 131(1)(3)(a); S.I. 2022/721, regs. 1(2), 3(a)
- F8S. 32(1)(b) and word inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 1.8.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), ss. 6(2)(a)(ii), 131(1)(3)(a); S.I. 2022/721, regs. 1(2), 3(a)
- F9Words in s. 32(2) inserted (11.2.2021 for specified purposes, 1.8.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Pension Schemes Act 2021 (c. 1), ss. 6(2)(b), 131(1)(3)(a); S.I. 2022/721, regs. 1(2), 3(a)
- F10Sch. 4 para. 18(4) omitted (E.W.S.) (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 5(a)
- F11Sch. 4 para. 23(9) omitted (E.W.S.) (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1309), reg. 5(b)