Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations, a draft of which has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament, amend the Social Security (Benefit) (Married Women and Widows Special Provisions) Regulations 1974, the Social Security (Graduated Retirement Benefit) (No. 2) Regulations 1978 and the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations 1979.
The amendments are consequential upon—
the coming into force of section 75 of and Schedule 8 to the Social Security Act 1986 which relate to earnings factors (regulation 2(3)); and
the coming into force of sections 63 and 64 of the Social Security Act 1986 which relate to the changes in the rate of benefit and the repeal in Schedule 10 to that Act of sections 124 to 126A of the Social Security Act 1975 (regulation 3).
In addition regulations 2, 3(10), 3B, 5, 8 and 10 of the Social Security (Benefit) (Married Women and Widows' Special Provisions) Regulations 1974 are revoked (regulations 2(2), (3)(b) and (4)). Regulation 2(3) of the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations 1979 has been amended by changing the date on which notices of de-retirement are deemed to have been given from the date the notice was posted to the date it was received in an office of the Department of Social Security (regulation 4).
The Regulations contain savings relating to unemployment benefit, sickness benefit and maternity allowance (regulation 5) and provide for transitional arrangements for women who were given credits in order that they might claim unemployment benefit and sickness benefit (regulation 6).