Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 and the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 in respect of late claims for retirement pension where the claimant or his spouse has paid insufficient national insurance contributions for the tax years 1996-97 to 2001-02.

Regulation 2 provides for a late claim for a Category A or B retirement pension to be treated as made at pensionable age when those deficient contributions are subsequently paid.

Regulation 3 provides for a decision disallowing a late claim for a Category A or B retirement pension to be revised as from pensionable age when the deficient contributions are paid.

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.