Two draft Orders concerning the impact upon pensions legislation of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 have been laid before Parliament, for approval by resolution of each House (which means they should receive some degree of parliamentary scrutiny). In essence, they seek to amend various existing SIs to extend certain statutory provisions in respect of widows and widowers to surviving civil partners, putting them on an equal footing.
Also just published are The Pension Protection Fund (Payments to meet Investment Costs) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/1610). These Regulations make provision for the Board of the PPF to make payments from the Pension Protection Fund to fund managers or custodians in relation to contractual liabilities relating to the investment of the Fund. The contracts entered into must be necessary for the prudent management of the Fund. The Board is required by s.113(4) of the Pensions Act 2004 to appoint a minimum of two fund managers.
