Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

1. Introduction

2. Background and Policy Objectives

3. Consultation

4. Options Considered

5. Overview

6. Commentary on Sections

   1. PART 1: State pension

      1. Entitlement to Category A and B retirement pensions

         1. Section 1: Category A and B retirement pensions: single contribution condition

         2. Section 2: Category B retirement pension: removal of restriction on entitlement

         3. Section 3: Contributions credits for relevant parents and carers

         4. Section 4: Category A and C retirement pensions: abolition of adult dependency increases

         5. Section 5: Up-rating of basic pension etc. and standard minimum guarantee by reference to earnings

         6. Section 6: Preservation of link with prices in case of other benefits

         7. Section 7: Deemed earnings factors for purposes of additional pension

         8. Section 8: Additional pension: removal of accrual band from 2010-11

         9. Section 9: Additional pension: simplified accrual rates as from flat rate introduction year

         10. Section 10: Additional pension: upper accrual point

         11. Section 11: Increase in pensionable age for men and women

   2. Part 2: Occupational and personal pension schemes

      1. Contracting-out

         1. Section 12: Conversion of guaranteed minimum pensions

         2. Section 13: Abolition of contracting-out for defined contribution pension schemes

         3. Section 14: Dispute resolution arrangements

         4. Section 15: Removal of Department’s role in approving actuarial guidance

   3. Part 3: Personal Accounts Delivery Authority

      1. Section 16: Initial function of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority

      2. Section 17: Management of the Authority

   4. Part 4: General

      1. Section 18: Review of operation of Act

      2. Section 19: Consequential etc. provision, repeals and revocations

      3. Section 20: Interpretation

      4. Section 21: Commencement

7. Schedules

   1. Schedule 1 - State Pension: Consequential and Related Amendments

      1. Part 1 - Category A and B retirement pensions: single contribution condition

      2. Part 2 - Category B retirement pension: removal of restriction on entitlement

      3. Part 3 - Contributions credits for relevant parents and carers

      4. Part 4 - Category A and Category C retirement pensions: abolition of adult dependency increases

      5. Part 5 - Up-rating of basic pension etc. and standard minimum guarantee by reference to earnings

      6. Part 6 - Deemed earnings factors for purposes of additional pension

      7. Part 7 - Additional pension: simplified accrual rates

      8. Part 8 - Increase in pensionable age for men and women

   2. Schedule 2 - Additional pension: simplified accrual rates

      1. Part 1 - New Schedule 4B to the Contributions and Benefits Act

      2. Part 2 - Revaluation of flat rate accrual amount

      3. Part 3 - Consequential amendments

   3. Schedule 3 - Increase for pensionable age for men and women

   4. Schedule 4 - Abolition of contracting-out for defined contribution pension schemes

      1. Part 1

         1. The 1995 Order

         2. The 1999 Order

         3. The 2005 Order

      2. Part 2

         1. The Contributions and Benefits Act

      3. Part 3 - Savings

   5. Schedule 5 - Removal of Department's role in approving actuarial guidance

8. Definitions

   1. Glossary

      1. State pensions

         1. Pension categories

         2. Earnings Limits

   2. Occupational and personal pensions

9. Hansard References