Section 50A — Pensions Act 2004: Meaning of “person with an interest in the scheme”

Meaning of “person with an interest in the scheme” 50A 1 For the purposes of section 50 a person is a person with an interest in an occupational pension scheme if—

a he is a member of the scheme, b he is a widow, widower or surviving dependant of a deceased member of the scheme, c he is a surviving non-dependant beneficiary of a deceased member of the scheme, d he is a prospective member of the scheme, e he has ceased to be within any of the categories of persons referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d), or f he claims to be such a person as is mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) and the dispute relates to whether he is such a person.

2 In subsection (1)(c) a “ non-dependant beneficiary ”, in relation to a deceased member of an occupational pension scheme, means a person who, on the death of the member, is entitled to the payment of benefits under the scheme.

3 In subsection (1)(d) a “ prospective member ” means any person who, under the terms of his contract of service or the rules of the scheme—

a is able, at his own option, to become a member of the scheme, b will become so able if he continues in the same employment for a sufficiently long period, c will be admitted to the scheme automatically unless he makes an election not to become a member, or d may be admitted to it subject to the consent of his employer.