Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1968).

In particular, they relate to the persons who may receive a notification from the Secretary of State that they will not need to make a claim in order to be awarded a Category A or B retirement pension because they are in receipt of certain benefits 8 weeks before reaching the age for entitlement to such a pension. They provide that such notifications may also be sent to those persons who would have been in receipt of those benefits at that time but for the application of a sanction under, or by virtue of, any provision of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 (c.11). Sanctions under, or by virtue of, that Act apply where a person has been convicted of, or has accepted a caution or an administrative penalty in respect of, an offence relating to a social security benefit.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the private sector or civil society organisations.