Explanatory note

Northern Ireland

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 in respect of claims for retirement pension or graduated retirement benefit.

Regulation 2 –

(a)

provides for claims for a Category A or Category B retirement pension or graduated retirement benefit to be made in advance of the date on which a period of deferment ends;

(b)

provides that the time for claiming retirement pension or graduated retirement benefit for any day on which the claimant is entitled to the pension or benefit is the period of 12 months immediately following that day, instead of the period of 3 months beginning with that day; and

(c)

makes further provision for claims for a Category A or Category B retirement pension and graduated retirement benefit made on behalf of a person who has died. A person may make such a claim if the deceased was not married at the time of death. A maximum of 3 months' arrears of pension or benefit may be claimed. Where there is a claim on behalf of a person who deferred his entitlement during the 12 months before his death he will be treated as having made an election in favour of an increase rather than a lump sum in respect of the deferment.

Regulation 3 introduces the 12 month period gradually as a transitional measure.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.