The Superannuation (Allocation of Pension) Rules 1965

• Citation: S.I. 1965/1201
• Sections: 28

Section 1 Allocation to spouse or other dependent on grant of pension

Subject to the provisions of these Rules, a person—

(a) to whom a pension is or has been granted under the Superannuation Acts, otherwise than on retirement (from the civil service or other employment) on the ground of ill health, and

(b) who, while serving in the civil service, either was normally employed in the United Kingdom or was a member of a grade in the service normally recruited there,

shall be allowed to make an allocation under this Rule in favour of his spouse or a dependant of his:

Provided that a person whose pension has been granted before the coming into operation of these Rules, and who has married since the grant of his pension, shall not be allowed to make an allocation under this Rule in favour of his spouse.

Section 2 Allocation to spouse on marriage after grant of pension

Subject to the provisions of these Rules, a person—

(a) to whom a pension has been granted under the Superannuation Acts, otherwise than on retirement (from the civil service or other employment) on the ground of ill health, and

(b) who, while serving in the civil service, either was normally employed in the United Kingdom or was a member of a grade in the service normally recruited there, and

(c) who has married since the grant of the pension and is under seventy years of age at the date of notification in accordance with Rule 9 of these Rules,

shall be allowed to make an allocation under this Rule in favour of his spouse.

Section 3 Duration of beneficiaries' pensions

(1) Where a person makes an allocation under these Rules in favour of his spouse, the Treasury may grant to his spouse a pension which—

(a) if the person making the allocation exercises the option to be known as Option A, shall be payable in respect of the period, if any, for which the spouse survives the person making the allocation, or

(b) if the person making the allocation exercises the option to be known as Option B, shall be payable in respect both of the period of their joint lives beginning with the date as from which that person's allocation declaration has effect under paragraph (2) or paragraph (4) of Rule 23 of these Rules and of the period, if any, for which the spouse survives the person making the allocation.

(2) Where a pension is payable for the periods specified in paragraph (1)(b) of this Rule, the rate of pension payable to the spouse during the second period shall be twice the rate payable to the spouse during the first period.

(3) Where a person makes an allocation under these Rules in favour of a dependant (other than a spouse), the Treasury may grant to such dependant a pension which shall be payable in respect of the period, if any, for which the dependant survives the person making the allocation.

Section 4 Amount of beneficiaries' pensions

The amount of pension payable for each £1 of a person's pension surrendered by him shall be the amount, according to the age and sex of the person making the allocation and the age and sex of the beneficiary, shown in the appropriate Option Table in force at the date from which the person's allocation declaration has effect under paragraph (2) or paragraph (4) of Rule 23 of these Rules.

Section 5 Payment of beneficiaries' pensions

The pension of the beneficiaries shall be payable in arrear in the same manner as the pension of the person making the allocation is or would have been payable.

Section 6 Limits on amount of pension surrendered

(1) A person making an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules shall not surrender—

(a) more than one-third of his pension; or

(b) so much of it as would make the amount of pension (as reduced by the amount surrendered) payable to him less than the amount of pension payable to the beneficiary after the death of the peron making the allocation; or

(c) so much of it as would make the amount of pension (as reduced by the amount surrendered) payable to him less than his notional graduated retirement benefit; or

(d) an amount of his pension which is not an exact number of pounds.

(2) A person making an allocation under Rule 2 of these Rules shall not surrender—

(a) a greater part of his pension than would, either alone or together with any part of his pension of which a surrender has been allowed under Rule 1 of these Rules or under the Superannuation (Allocation of Pension) Rules 1935 and has not been cancelled under section 30(2) of the Superannuation Act 1949, amount to one-third of his pension; or

(b) so much of it as would make the amount of pension (as reduced by the amount surrendered) payable to him less than the amount of pension payable to the beneficiary after the death of the person making the allocation; or

(c) so much of it as would make the amount of pension (as reduced by the amount surrendered) payable to him less than his national graduated retirement benefit; or

(d) an amount of his pension which is not an exact number of pounds.

(3) Where a person has declared a desire to surrender such part of his pension as would, either alone or together with any part of his pension already surrendered under Rule 1 of these Rules or under the Superannuation (Allocation of Pension) Rules 1935, exceed one-third of his pension, then the Treasury may make an award as if he had declared a desire to surrender the maximum amount which he is allowed to surrender under this Rule.

Section 7 Notification to persons eligible to make an allocation

(1) Any person who, being in receipt of a pension, is, at the date of the coming into operation of these Rules, eligible to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, but who was not eligible to make an allocation under the Superannuation (Allocation of Pension) Rules 1935, shall be notified by the Treasury of the making of these Rules as soon as possible thereafter, and, upon request, shall be supplied with a copy of these Rules and of the Option Tables.

(2) Any person who, having retired before the date of the coming into operation of these Rules, and being eligible for the grant of a pension on the attainment of a certain age after that date, will, if such pension is granted, become eligible to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, shall, as soon as possible after he has applied for the grant of such pension, be notified by the Treasury of the making of these Rules, and, upon request, shall be supplied with a copy of these Rules and of the Option Tables.

(3) Any person who retires from the civil service after the date of the coming into operation of these Rules, and, being eligible for the grant of a pension on the attainment of a certain age after that date, will, if such pension is granted, become eligible to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, shall on his retirement, and also, upon request, at any time within six months before he attains that age, be supplied by the Department with a copy of these Rules and of the Option Tables.

(4) Any person who retires from the civil service after the coming into operation of these Rules, and, being eligible for the grant of a pension on his retirement will, if such pension is granted, become eligible to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, shall be notified by the Department of the date, or probable date, of his retirement, and shall at the same time be supplied with a copy of these Rules and of the Option Tables.

(5) Where possible, in cases of retirement on the ground of age, notification under paragraph (4) of this Rule shall be given at least six months before the date, or probable date, of retirement.

(6) Where in any case after notification has been given to any person under paragraph (4) of this Rule, the date, or probable date, of his retirement is altered, he shall be notified by the Department of the alteration in the date of his retirement as soon as possible after the altered date has been determined.

Section 8 Provisional estimate of amount of pension

For the purposes of enabling a person who, upon being granted a pension, will be eligible to make an allocation to consider the question of making an allocation, the Department shall, if so requested by that person within six months before the date, or probable date, of the beginning of the period in respect of which the pension will be payable, inform him as soon as practicable of the provisional estimate made by the Treasury of the amount of his pension and additional allowance (if any) and of any alteration in that estimate, if any such alteration be subsequently made.

Section 9 Notification of desire to make an allocation

Any person who is or becomes eligible to make an allocation shall, if he desires to make such an allocation, notify the Department to that effect and shall furnish to the Department on the form provided for the purpose the particulars required thereby in respect of the beneficiary; and the beneficiary shall write his signature in the appointed space on the form, unless the Treasury dispense with his signature in accordance with paragraph (2) of Rule 14 of these Rules.

Section 10 Evidence required by Department

(1) Upon receipt of the particulars required to be furnished by Rule 9 of these Rules, the Department shall require the person concerned to furnish at his own expense—

(a) a certified copy of his birth certificate, except where the date of his birth is recorded in his Civil Service Certificate and is not disputed; and

(b) with respect to the beneficiary, a birth certificate, a marriage certificate (in the case of a woman who has been married) and any other information or evidence which the Department may consider necessary.

(2) If for any reason a birth or marriage certificate cannot be supplied, the Department may, with the consent of the Treasury, accept such evidence of birth or marriage as it may think fit.

Section 11 Medical examination of person desiring to make an allocation

(1) On receipt from a person of notification, in accordance with Rule 9 of these Rules, of his desire to make an allocation and of the form referred to in that Rule duly completed, the Department shall send to the Civil Service Commissioners the person's sick leave record and shall request the Commissioners to report whether, in their opinion, he is of good health, regard being had to his age.

(2) For the purposes of making their report, the Commissioners shall forthwith arrange for the person concerned to be medically examined by a physician nominated by the Commissioners.

(3) If, on considering the result of that examination, in conjunction with the person's sick leave record, the Commissioners are not satisfied that he is of good health, they shall notify him accordingly and shall offer him an opportunity of a further examination by such one of their medical referees as they may select.

(4) The fee payable to any physician or medical referee in respect of any medical examination under paragraph (2) or (3) of this Rule shall be paid by the person examined at the time of the examination.

(5) When, on considering the result of the medical examinations provided for under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Rule in conjunction with the person's sick leave record, the Civil Service Commissioners are not satisfied that he is of good health, but it appears to the Commissioners that the disability from which he is suffering may be temporary and that there is a good prospect that he would be shown to be in good health if examined after a short interval, then the Treasury may, at the request of the Commissioners, appoint a special closing date in order that a further medical examination may be arranged accordingly at a later date; and any fee required for such further medical examination shall be paid by the Commissioners.

(6) If, as a result of an examination by a medical referee made in accordance with paragraph (3) of this Rule, the Civil Service Commissioners are of opinion that there is doubt whether the person examined is of good health, they may offer him an opportunity to be examined by a Medical Board of three members appointed by them.

(7) Where an examination takes place in accordance with the last preceding paragraph, no fee in respect thereof shall be payable by the person examined and the Treasury may appoint a special closing date for the purposes of these Rules.

(8) If, after the Civil Service Commissioners have decided, as a result of an examination by a medical referee made in accordance with paragraph (3) of this Rule, that the person examined is not of good health, that person produces to them a report, containing a contrary opinion, made by a physician or surgeon of consultant standing who had before him at the time he made the report a full statement of the person's sick leave record, the Commissioners may offer the person concerned an opportunity to be examined by a Medical Board constituted as provided in paragraph (6) of this Rule, and for the purpose of enabling such examination to take place the Treasury may appoint a special closing date for the purposes of these Rules.

(9) When a person elects to be examined by a Medical Board in accordance with the last preceding paragraph, he shall, prior to such examination, pay to the Civil Service Commissioners in respect thereof a fee of £6 6.0. (or such amount as may be prescribed by the Commissioners, but not exceeding £6 6.0.); any such fee paid by any person shall be repaid to him if, as a result of the examination by the Medical Board, the Commissioners decide that he is of good health.

Section 12 Civil Service Commissioners' decision on health to be final

(1) The decision of the Civil Service Commissioners upon the question whether a person is of good health shall be final and conclusive.

(2) The physician, and, in the case of further examinations, the medical referee and the Medical Board, shall make their reports direct to the Civil Service Commissioners, and neither the contents of any such reports nor the reasons for the Commissioners' decision shall be disclosed to the person who has been examined.

Section 13 Further medical examination in case of postponed retirement

If, in any case in which the Civil Service Commissioners report that in their opinion a person is of good health, the date of that person's retirement is postponed to a date more than three months after the date of the Commissioners' report, the Treasury may, if they think fit, require him to undergo such further medical examination as they may direct, but in that event he shall not be required to pay any fees in respect of such further medical examination.

Section 14 Beneficiary's signature

(1) If the Civil Service Commissioners report to the Department that in their opinion a person is of good health and the Department is satisfied with the evidence and particulars furnished to it by that person in accordance with Rule 10 of these Rules, the Department shall request him to arrange for the beneficiary to write his usual signature in duplicate in the presence of such officer of the Department, or such other person, as the Department may nominate, and, in deciding whom to nominate for that purpose, the Department shall, so far as possible, have regard to the convenience of the beneficiary.

(2) Where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Treasury that, by reason of the beneficiary's inability through infirmity or other sufficient cause, he is unable to write his signature as required by this Rule and by Rule 9 of these Rules, the Treasury may, if they think fit, dispense with the beneficiary's signature, subject to such conditions as they may deem desirable.

Section 15 Notification that allocation declaration may be made

If the Department has no reason to doubt that the person who has written his signature as required by Rule 14 of these Rules is the person named as the beneficiary in the particulars required to be furnished by Rule 9 of these Rules, the Department shall notify the person desiring to make an allocation that he may make an allocation declaration.

Section 16 Allocation declaration and closing date

(1) Every allocation declaration shall be made in the form set out in Schedule 1 to these Rules, and shall be lodged with the Department before midnight of the closing date.

(2) An allocation declaration which is not lodged with the Department before midnight of the closing date, or which does not comply with these Rules, shall be invalid.

(3) For the purposes of these Rules, “ closing date ” means —

(a) in the case of a person who at the date of these Rules is eligible to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, but who was not eligible to make an allocation under the Superannuation (Allocation of Pension) Rules 1935, the last day of the period of six months beginning with the date on which he was notified by the Treasury of the making of these Rules or the last day of the period of three months beginning with the date on which he was supplied with a copy of these Rules, whichever is the earlier;

(b) in the case of any other person who is eligible to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, the day preceding the first day in respect of which his pension is payable or, if he was supplied by the Department with a copy of these Rules less than three months before such first day as aforesaid, the last day of the period of three months beginning with the date on which he was supplied with a copy of these Rules; and

(c) in the case of a person who is eligible to make an allocation under Rule 2 of these Rules, the last day of the period of three months beginning with the date of his marriage:

Provided that where the Treasury appoint a special closing date, either on the ground that as a result of exceptional circumstances beyond the control of a person eligible to make an allocation, it is not, or was not, practicable for that person to carry through before the relevant date the steps necessary to enable him to make an allocation, or on any other ground mentioned in these Rules, then the expression “ closing date ” shall mean the date so appointed by the Treasury .

Section 17 Notification as to validity of allocation declaration

As soon as possible after the receipt of an allocation declaration the Department shall inform the person concerned whether such declaration is valid or invalid, and shall in the former case furnish him with a statement or estimate of the pensions that will be payable to himself and to the beneficiary, and in the latter case state the grounds upon which the declaration has been held to be invalid.

Section 18 Cancellation or amendment of allocation declaration

(1) A person who desires to make an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules, and who lodges an allocation declaration with the Department before the beginning of the period in respect of which his pension is payable, may cancel or amend that declaration by notice in writing lodged with the Department on the form provided for the purpose at any time before midnight on the day preceding the first day in respect of which his pension is payable, but, save as is provided in Rule 19 of these Rules, he may not cancel or amend his allocation declaration after that time.

(2) Save as is provided in Rule 19 of these Rules, an allocation declaration which is lodged with the Department after the beginning of the period in respect of which the pension of the person making the declaration is payable may not be cancelled or amended.

Section 19 Amendment of allocation declaration after alteration of amount of pension

Where a person who, in accordance with Rule 8 of these Rules, has been informed of the provisional estimate made by the Treasury of the amount of his pension and additional allowance (if any) is subsequently notified by the Department of an alteration in the amount, or the estimated amount, of his pension less than fourteen days before the closing date, or after the closing date but within six months after the beginning of the period in respect of which his pension is payable, he may, if he has already made a valid allocation declaration, amend that declaration by notice in writing on the form provided for the purpose lodged with the Department before midnight of the fourteenth day after the receipt of such notification:

Provided that no notice of an amendment of an allocation declaration may be lodged with the Department after the closing date—

(a) except for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the amount of the pension to be surrendered by an amount not exceeding the increase or decrease (to the nearest pound) in the amount, or the estimated amount, of pension previously notified to such person in accordance with Rule 8 of these Rules; or

(b) in any case, in respect of any alteration of the amount, or the estimated amount, of pension resulting from a decision affecting all, or a particular category of, civil service pensioners.

Section 20 Amended allocation declaration to comply with Rules

An amendment of an allocation declaration shall not be valid if the allocation declaration as so amended does not comply with these Rules.

Section 21 Time of lodging of documents sent by post

If any notice, declaration or other document is sent through the post, it shall not be deemed to be lodged with the Department within the time prescribed by these Rules unless it is posted at a time which will normally ensure its due delivery within the time so prescribed.

Section 22 Allocation declaration to be valid after alteration of amount of pension

Where a person has been informed, in pursuance of Rule 17 of these Rules, that an allocation declaration made by him is valid, that declaration shall remain valid, unless cancelled or amended by him in the manner and within the period permitted by these Rules, notwithstanding that, as the result of a subsequent alteration of the amount, or estimated amount, of his pension, the amount of pension to be surrendered no longer complies with Rule 6 of these Rules.

Section 23 Effective date of allocation declaration

(1) An allocation declaration made by a person making an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules shall become null and void if either that person or the beneficiary dies before midnight on the day preceding the first day in respect of which that person's pension is payable or before midnight on the day on which the allocation declaration is lodged with the Department, whichever day is the later.

(2) Subject to the last preceding paragraph, an allocation declaration made by a person making an allocation under Rule 1 of these Rules shall have effect—

(a) in the case of a person whose pension is granted on or after 29th April 1965, as from the first day in respect of which his pension is payable; and

(b) in the case of a person whose pension was granted before 29th April 1965, as from the date on which his allocation declaration is lodged with the Department.

(3) An allocation declaration made by a person making an allocation under Rule 2 of these Rules shall become null and void if either that person or the beneficiary dies before midnight on the day on which the allocation declaration is lodged with the Department.

(4) Subject to the last preceding paragraph, an allocation declaration made by a person making an allocation under Rule 2 of these Rules shall have effect as from the date of the marriage of the person making the allocation.

(5) Where as the result of effect being given to an allocation declaration lodged with the Department after the beginning of the period in respect of which the pension of the person making the allocation is payable or after his marriage, as the case may be, any overpayment of pension has been made to him or a beneficiary, such overpayment shall be brought into account on the next payment or payments of pension to the person concerned.

Section 24 Special closing date for persons abroad

Where a person eligible to make an allocation is serving or resident outside the United Kingdom, the Treasury may appoint a special closing date for the purposes of these Rules where, owing to circumstances beyond his control and arising out of his serving or residence abroad, they are satisfied that the person concerned will not have a reasonable opportunity of carrying through in due time all the steps necessary to enable him to make an allocation.

Section 25 Persons transferred to certain other employments

Where a person, having served in the permanent civil service of the State, is transferred to some other employment, and will, if he retires from that employment in certain circumstances, be qualified for a superannuation allowance under the Superannuation Acts in respect of his service in the civil service, the Department in which he was serving immediately before his transfer shall, upon such transfer, and also, if requested so to do, at any time within six months before his retirement from his other employment, supply him with a copy of these Rules and of the Option Tables in force; and, for the purpose of the application of these Rules to that person, that Department shall be deemed to be the Department.

Section 26 Interpretation

(1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:—

“ beneficiary ” means the person in whose favour an allocation is made ;

“ closing date ” has the meaning assigned to it by Rule 16(3) of these Rules ;

“ the Department ” means , in relation to any person, the Department in which he is serving or, as the case may be, in which he last served before his retirement ;

“ lodged with the Department ” means —

in the case of a person who, not being the head officer or sole officer, is serving at or attached to an office or establishment away from the headquarters of a Department, lodged with the head officer, or, if he is absent, the person acting as the head officer of such office or establishment; and

in any other case, lodged with the head of the Department at the headquarters of the Department;

“ make an allocation ” means surrender a part of a pension under these Rules ;

“ notional graduated retirement benefit ” means , in relation to any person, the amount of the minimum rate of equivalent pension benefits applicable, under the provisions of Part II of the National Insurance Act 1959 as amended from time to time, in respect of so much of the period of service in respect of which that person's pension is payable as is service in a non-participating employment within the meaning of section 7(2) of that Act ;

“ Option Tables ” means the tables prepared by the Government Actuary under section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1935 and section 33 of the Superannuation Act 1949 and for the time being in force ;

“ pension ” means an annual pension and, in relation to a person eligible to make an allocation under these Rules; means an annual superannuation, compensation or retiring allowance under the Superannuation Acts ;

“ the Superannuation Acts ” means the Superannuation Acts 1834 to 1965 and any Act amending those Acts .

(2) For the purposes of the references in these Rules to the beginning of the period in respect of which a pension is payable or to the first day in respect of which a pension is payable, any suspension of a pension under section 20 of the Superannuation Act 1834 (re-employment of persons in receipt of pensions) shall be disregarded.

(3) The Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply for the interpretation of these Rules as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament, and as if these Rules and the Rules hereby revoked were Acts of Parliament.

Section 27 Revocations and savings

(1) The Rules specified in Schedule 2 to these Rules are hereby revoked.

(2) The revocation of any Rules by these Rules shall not affect any pension granted before the coming into operation of these Rules.

(3) In so far as any surrender, report, examination, appointment, decision, election, request, nomination, declaration or amendment made, notification or notice given, particulars furnished, or other thing done, under any Rules revoked by these Rules could have been made, given, furnished or done under a corresponding provision of these Rules, it shall not be invalidated by the revocation, but shall have effect as if made, given, furnished or done under that corresponding provision.

(4) Where a period of time specified in any Rules revoked by these Rules is current on the coming into operation of these Rules, these Rules shall have effect as if the corresponding provision thereof had been in force when that period began to run.

(5) The mention of particular matters in this Rule shall be without prejudice to the general application of section 38 of the Interpretation Act 1889 as it applies for the interpretation of these Rules.

Section 28 Citation and commencement

These Rules may be cited as the Superannuation (Allocation of Pension) Rules 1965, and shall come into operation on 10th June 1965.