SE15028 - Non-approved "retirement benefits schemes": meaning of "scheme"

Section 611(2) ICTA 1988

There must be a “scheme” for a charge to arise under the non-approved retirement benefits scheme legislation.

The definition is in Section 611(2) ICTA 1988 and includes a deed, agreement, series of agreements or other arrangements providing for “relevant benefits” (see SE15020 for the definition of “relevant benefits”).

Statement of Practice 13/91 explains that a “scheme” may be quite informal. It includes, for example:

• a decision at an employer’s meeting
• a decision by an employee with delegated authority or in accordance with a policy
• the making of a payment under a plan, pattern, policy, practice or decision- making process or custom