{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015.json",
  "id": "nisr/2015/315",
  "title": "The State Pension Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015",
  "short_title": "State Pension 2015",
  "long_title": "The Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (“the Act”), creates a new state pension for people reaching pensionable age on or after 6th April 2016 (see Part 1 of the Act). It replaces the existing state pension. These Regulations set out some of the detailed rules relating to the new state pension.",
  "citation": "S.R. 2015/315",
  "type": "nisr",
  "year": "2015",
  "number": "315",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "2015-07-16",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2026-07-16",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 1,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/1",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "General",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/1",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Citation, commencement and interpretation",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-1",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/1A",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "1A",
      "heading": "Full rate of State Pension",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/1A",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "1A",
      "heading": "Full rate of state pension",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-1A",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/1A"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/2",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Prisoners",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/2",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Prisoners who are not to be paid state pension",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/3",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Paying state pension to persons who are remanded in custody",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/3",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Deferral of State Pension",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/4",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "When a choice of lump sum or survivor's pension may be made",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-4",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/5",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "How a choice of lump sum or survivor's pension may be made",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-5",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/6",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Changing a choice of lump sum or survivor's pension",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-6",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/7",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "How entitlement to a state pension may be suspended",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-7",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/8",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Date from which a suspension of a state pension begins",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-8",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/9",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Cancelling a suspension of a state pension",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-9",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/10",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Percentage for the weekly rate of increases resulting from deferral of state pension",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-10",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/11",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Days which are not included in determining the period of deferral",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/12",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Part weeks treated as whole weeks in determining the amount of entitlement during deferral",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-12",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/12A",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "12A",
      "heading": "Modification of the amount of an increment for other cases during deferral",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-12A",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/4",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Minimum Qualifying Period",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/13",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Minimum number of qualifying years",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/4"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/5",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Sharing of state pension rights",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/14",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Amendment of the Sharing of State Scheme Rights (Provision of Information and Valuation) Regulations",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-14",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/5"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/6",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Graduated Retirement Benefit",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/15",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Survivor’s state pension based on inheritance of graduated retirement benefit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-15",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/6"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/16",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Survivor’s state pension under regulation 15: inherited amount",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-16",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/6"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/17",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Survivor’s state pension under regulation 15: up-rating",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-17",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/6"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/18",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Choice of lump sum or state pension based on inheritance of deferred graduated retirement benefit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/6"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/19",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": "Survivor’s lump sum based on inheritance of deferred graduated retirement benefit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-19",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/6"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/20",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": "Survivor’s state pension based on inheritance of deferred graduated retirement benefit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-20",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/6"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/7",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Overseas Residents",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/21",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "21",
      "heading": "Entitlement to state pension for overseas residents",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-21",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/7"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/22",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "22",
      "heading": "Modification of the amount of an increment for an overseas resident",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-22",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/7"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/23",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "23",
      "heading": "Modification of the amount of an increment where regulations 12A and 22 both apply",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-23",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/7"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/8",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "National Insurance Credits",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/8/chapter/1",
      "kind": "chapter",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "General",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/24",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "24",
      "heading": "Interpretation",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-24",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/25",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "25",
      "heading": "General provisions relating to the crediting of earnings or contributions",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-25",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/8/chapter/2",
      "kind": "chapter",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Crediting earnings or contributions in respect of a pre-commencement qualifying year",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/26",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "26",
      "heading": "Credits under the 1975 Regulations",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-26",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/27",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "27",
      "heading": "Credits for parents and carers",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-27",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/28",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "28",
      "heading": "Credits for spouses and civil partners of members of Her Majesty’s forces",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-28",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/8/chapter/3",
      "kind": "chapter",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Crediting earnings or contributions in respect of a qualifying year or a post-commencement qualifying year",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/29",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "29",
      "heading": "Credits under the 1975 Regulations",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-29",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/30",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "30",
      "heading": "Credits for persons in receipt of working tax credit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-30",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/31",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "31",
      "heading": "Credits for persons entitled to universal credit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-31",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/32",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "32",
      "heading": "Credits for persons approaching pensionable age",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-32",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/33",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "33",
      "heading": "Credits for spouses and civil partners of members of Her Majesty’s forces",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-33",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/34",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "34",
      "heading": "Credits in respect of an award of child benefit",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-34",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/35",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "35",
      "heading": "Credits for persons providing care for a child under the age of 12",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-35",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/36",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "36",
      "heading": "Credits for being a foster parent",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-36",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/37",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "37",
      "heading": "Credits for persons engaged in caring",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-37",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/38",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "38",
      "heading": "Credits for an additional period in respect of entitlement to carer’s allowance or carer’s support payment and relevant benefits",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-38",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "regulation/39",
      "kind": "regulation",
      "number": "39",
      "heading": "Time limit for making an application for a credit under regulation 34(1)(b), 35, 36 or 37",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-39",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/8/chapter/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "signature",
      "kind": "signature",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Signature",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/signature",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "note",
      "kind": "note",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Explanatory note",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/note",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    }
  ],
  "has_text": true,
  "pdfs": [
    {
      "title": "Printed copy",
      "main": true,
      "language": null,
      "date": "2016-03-16",
      "size": 164060,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/pdf/nisr_20150315_en.pdf",
      "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2015/315/pdfs/nisr_20150315_en.pdf"
    },
    {
      "title": "Explanatory Memorandum",
      "main": false,
      "language": null,
      "date": "2015-07-29",
      "size": 124718,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/pdf/nisrem_20150315_en.pdf",
      "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2015/315/pdfs/nisrem_20150315_en.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "sum substituted",
      "affected_provisions": "reg. 1A",
      "affecting": "nisr/2026/59",
      "affecting_title": "The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2026",
      "affecting_provisions": "art. 6(2)"
    }
  ],
  "made_under": [],
  "changes_made_to": 73,
  "changes_made_to_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/changes.json",
  "changes_made_by": 13,
  "changes_made_by_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/changes/by-it.json",
  "instruments_made_under": 0,
  "instruments_made_under_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/state-pension-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/instruments.json",
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2015/315",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T01:00:30.654806+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}