Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
Part 5 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 creates a new benefit called bereavement support payment to which the spouse or civil partner of a person who dies on or after 6th April 2017 may be entitled.
This Order provides that the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and regulations made under those Acts, and Part 5 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 and regulations made under section 29 of that Act are to be modified to give effect to—
the alterations set out in Schedule 1 which are proposed to the agreements in the Schedules to the Orders in Council and Orders specified in Schedule 2, and
the alterations set out in Schedule 3 which are proposed to the agreement in the Schedule to the Order referred to in Schedule 3.
These Orders in Council and Orders give effect to agreements made between the Government of the United Kingdom and the governments of other countries providing for reciprocity in certain social security matters. These agreements are now altered because of a change in the law of Northern Ireland to include bereavement support payment under Part 5 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015. One effect of the alterations is to provide for entitlement to bereavement support payment for a surviving spouse or civil partner who is ordinarily resident in the territory of the other country when their spouse or civil partner dies.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this Order as it has no impact on business or civil society organisations. A regulatory impact assessment for the changes made by the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 is available from the Communications and Engagement Unit, Department for Communities, 4th Floor, Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EG or