Section 50 amendments

In a funded defined benefit pension scheme, if the funding of the scheme is not sufficient to satisfy the funding standard, the trustees may apply to the Pensions Authority for what is referred to as a ‘section 50 order’. Under such an order, accrued benefits relating to members’ past service can be reduced.

If you are a member of a pension scheme subject to a section 50 amendment you must be notified in advance of the proposed reductions. This notification must include the circumstances of the section 50 application, and the proposed reductions, including general illustrations of their effect.

You have one month to make written observations on the proposed reductions, and the trustees must consider these observations before making an application to the Authority.