BILL NO. 68

(as passed, with amendments)

1st Session, 60th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
55 Elizabeth II, 2006

Private Member's Bill

Pension Benefits Act
(amended)

CHAPTER 42 OF THE ACTS OF 2006

Michel Samson
Richmond

First Reading: November 1, 2006 (LINK TO BILL AS INTRODUCED)

Second Reading: November 10, 2006

Third Reading: November 23, 2006 (WITH COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS)

Royal Assent: November 23, 2006

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 Section 71 of Chapter 340 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Pension Benefits Act, is amended by adding immediately after subsection (3) the following subsection:

(4) The entitlement of a person, in his or her discretion, to withdraw money from a locked-in retirement account as defined in the regulations shall not be considered when determining, for the purpose of any other Act, the income or assets available to the person.

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to the commutation or surrender, in whole or in part, of a prescribed retirement savings arrangement in such circumstances or in such amounts as may be prescribed, subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed.

(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), upon application, the Superintendent may consent to the commutation or surrender, in whole or in part, of a prescribed retirement savings arrangement of a type that is prescribed for the purpose of this subsection if the Superintendent is satisfied as to the existence of such circumstances of financial hardship as may be prescribed.

(6) The owner of the prescribed retirement savings arrangement may apply in writing to the Superintendent for the consent under subsection (5).

(7) The Superintendent's authority to give consent under subsection (5) is subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed.

(vaa) prescribing retirement savings arrangements, circumstances and amounts, and restrictions for the purpose of Section 71;