I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 390, inclusive, together.
The Revised Spouses and Childrens Superannuation Scheme was introduced in 1984. Membership of this scheme is mandatory for anybody who joined the civil service as a new entrant after 1 September 1984. Civil Servants who were not members of any scheme or were members of the Original Scheme prior to this date had the option to join if they so wished.
The Revised Scheme which was introduced in agreement with staff interests, extended the benefits payable to include post-retirement marriages and also extended the children's benefit to include adoptive, post-retirement/resignation and non-marital children of the member.
Member contributions are compulsory under the Revised Scheme and there are no exemptions available based on marital or parental status. The Original Scheme provided for a refund of contributions where a member retired unmarried but as the Revised Scheme covers post-retirement events, no such refund is now available. In certain circumstances where a member has in excess of 40 years' service, they are entitled to a refund in respect of the excess period only, starting with the initial contributions paid.