Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992

PreliminaryN.I.

20 Descriptions of contributory benefits.N.I.

(1)Contributory benefits under this Part of this Act are of the following descriptions, namely—

F1(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2(b)incapacity benefit, comprising—

(i)short-term incapacity benefit; and

(ii)long-term incapacity benefit;]

(d)maternity allowance F3... ;

(e)widow’s benefit, comprising—

F4(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(ii)widowed mother’s allowanceF5...;

(iii)widow’s pension;

[F6(ea)bereavement benefits, comprising—

(i)bereavement payment;

(ii)widowed parent’s allowanceF5...;

(iii)bereavement allowance;]

(f)retirement pensions of the following categories—

(i)Category A, payable to a person by virtue of his own contributions (with increase for adult F7... dependants); and

[F8(ii)Category B, payable to a person by virtue of the contributions of a spouse [F9or civil partner] F5... ;]

[F10(fa)shared additional pensions;]

(g)for existing beneficiaries only, child’s special allowance.

(2)In this Act—

  • “long-term benefit” means—

    (a)

    [F11long-term incapacity benefit;]

    (b)

    a widowed mother’s allowance;

[F12(ba)a widowed parent’s allowance;

(bb)a bereavement allowance;]

(c)a widow’s pension; and

(d)a Category A or Category B retirement pension; and

[F13(e)a shared additional pension;]

  • “short-term benefit” means—

    (a)

    F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F15(b)short-term incapacity benefit; and]

(c)maternity allowance.

(3)The provisions of this Part of this Act are subject to the provisions of [F16Chapter II of Part III of the Pensions Act (reduction in state scheme contributions and social security benefits for members of certified schemes)].

Textual Amendments

F1S. 20(1)(a) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F2S. 20(1)(b) substituted for s. 20(1)(b)(c) (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(2); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F3Words in s. 20(1)(d) repealed (with effect from 14.8.2010) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), s. 36(1)(p), Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with ss. 14(2), 34(2)(a))

F4S. 20(1)(e)(i) repealed (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 67, 76, Sch. 8 para. 2(2)(a), Sch. 10 Pt. V; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F5Words in s. 20(1) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F6S. 20(1)(ea) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 2(2)(b); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F7Words in s. 20(1)(f)(i) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F8S. 20(1)(f)(ii) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(1)

F11S. 20(2): para. (a) in definition of “long-term benefit”substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(3)(a); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F12S. 20(2): paras. (ba)(bb) in definition of “long-term benefit”inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147(N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 2(3); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F13S. 20(2): para. (e) in definition of “long-term benefit”inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 5(3); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F14Words in definition in s. 20(2) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F15S. 20(2): para. (b) in definition substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(3)(b); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F16Words in s. 20(3) substituted (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 184, Sch. 7 para. 30; S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

21 Contribution conditions.N.I.

(1)Entitlement to any benefit specified in section 20(1) above, [F17other than [F18short-term incapacity benefit under subsection (1)(b) of section 30A below,] long-term incapacity benefit under section [F19subsection (5) of that section][F20, maternity allowance under section 35 below] or short-term or long-term incapacity benefit under section 40 or 41 below][F21or a shared additional pension under section 55A below], depends on contribution conditions being satisfied (either by the claimant or by some other person, according to the particular benefit).

(2)The class or classes of contribution which, for the purposes of subsection (1) above, are relevant in relation to each of those benefits are as follows—

Short-term benefit
F22. . .F22. . .
[F23Short-term incapacity benefit under section [F2430A(1)(a)] below]Class 1 or 2
[F25Maternity allowance][F25Class 1 or 2]
Other benefits
[F26Bereavement payment]Class 1, 2 or 3
Widowed mother’s allowanceClass 1, 2 or 3
[F27Widowed parent’s allowanceClass 1, 2 or 3
Bereavement allowanceClass 1, 2 or 3]
Widow’s pensionClass 1, 2 or 3
Category A retirement pensionClass 1, 2 or 3
Category B retirement pensionClass 1, 2 or 3
Child’s special allowanceClass 1, 2 or 3

(3)The relevant contribution conditions in relation to the benefits specified in subsection (2) above are those specified in Part I of Schedule 3 to this Act.

(4)Part II of Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect as to the satisfaction of contribution conditions for benefit [F28, other than maternity allowance,] in certain cases where a claim for short-term benefit or a [F29bereavement payment] is, or has on a previous occasion been, made in the first or second year after that in which the contributor concerned first became liable for primary Class 1 or Class 2 contributions.

(5)In subsection (4) above and Schedule 3 to this Act—

(a)“the contributor concerned”, for the purposes of any contribution condition, means the person by whom the condition is to be satisfied;

(b)“a relevant class”, in relation to any benefit, means a class of contributions specified in relation to that benefit in subsection (2) above;

(c)“the earnings factor”—

(i)where the year in question is 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, means, in relation to a person, the aggregate of his earnings factors derived from [F30so much of his earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid and from his Class 2 and Class 3 contributions; and

(ii)where the year in question is any earlier tax year, means, in relation to a person’s contributions of any class or classes, the aggregate of his earnings factors derived from all those contributions;

(d)except in the expression “benefit year”, “year” means a tax year.

[F31(5A)Where primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid on any part of a person’s earnings, the following provisions, namely—

(a)subsection (5)(c) above;

(b)sections 22(1)(a) [F32, (2A)] and (3)(a), 23(3)(a), 24(2)(a), [F3344(6)(za) and (a)] F34... below; and

(c)paragraphs 2(4)(a) and (5)(a), 4(2)(a), 5(2)(b) and (4)(a) [F35, 5A(3)(a)] and 7(4)(a) of Schedule 3 to this Act,

shall have effect as if such contributions had been paid or treated as paid on so much of the earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit.]

(6)In this Part of this Act “benefit year” means a period—

(a)beginning with the first Sunday in January in any calendar year, and

(b)ending with the Saturday immediately preceding the first Sunday in January in the following calendar year;

but for any prescribed purposes of this Part of this Act “benefit year” may by regulations be made to mean such other period (whether or not a period of 12 months) as may be specified in the regulations.

Textual Amendments

F18Words in s. 21(1) inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 20(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(e)(4)(5)

F19S. 21(1): By S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 20(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(e)(4)(5) it is provided that, for the words "30A below", there are substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) the words "subsection (5) of that section"

F20Words in s. 21(1) inserted (12.1.2000 and 2.4.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 Pt. VI para. 29(2); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(b)

F22Entry in s. 21(2) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F24Words in s. 21(2) substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 20(b); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(e)(4)(5)

F25Entry in s. 21(2) repealed (12.1.2000 and 2.4.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 67, 76, Sch. 8 Pt. VI para. 29(3), Sch. 10 Pt. V; S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(b)(c)(i)

F26Words in s. 21(2) substituted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 3(2)(a); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F27Entries in s. 21(2) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 3(2)(b); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F28Words in s. 21(4) repealed (12.1.2000 and 2.4.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 67, 76, Sch. 8 Pt. VI para. 29(4), Sch. 10 Pt. V; S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(b)(c)(i)

F29Words in s. 21(4) substituted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 3(3); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F30Words in s. 21(5)(c)(i) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 25

F32Words in s. 21(5A)(b) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(2)(a); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F33Words in s. 21(5A)(b) substituted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(2)(b); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F34Words in s. 21(5A)(b) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

22 Earnings factors.N.I.

(1)A person shall, for the purposes specified in subsection (2) below, be treated as having annual earnings factors derived—

(a)in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, from [F36so much of his earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid and from Class 2 and Class 3 contributions; and

(b)in the case of any earlier tax year, from his contributions of any of Classes 1, 2 and 3;

but subject to the following provisions of this section and those of section 23 below.

(2)The purposes referred to in subsection (1) above are those of—

(a)establishing, by reference to the satisfaction of contribution conditions, entitlement to [F37a contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance [F38, to a contributory employment and support allowance] or to] any benefit specified in section 20(1) above, other than maternity allowance; and

(b)calculating the additional pension in the rate of a long-term benefit.

[F39(2A)For the purpose specified in subsection (2)(b) above, in the case of the first appointed year or any subsequent tax year a person’s earnings factor shall be treated as derived only from [F36so much of his earnings as did not exceed [F40the applicable limit] and] on which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid.

[F41This subsection does not affect the operation of sections 44A and 44B below (deemed earnings factors).]]

[F42(2B)“The applicable limit” means—

(a)in relation to a tax year before [F432009–10], the upper earnings limit;

(b)in relation to [F432009–10] or any subsequent tax year, the upper accrual point.]

(3)Separate earnings factors may be derived for 1987-88 and subsequent tax years—

(a)from earnings [F44not exceeding the upper earnings limit] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid;

(b)from earnings which have been credited;

(c)from contributions of different classes paid or credited in the same tax year;

(d)by any combination of the methods mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above,

and may be derived for any earlier tax year from contributions of different classes paid or credited in the same tax year, and from contributions which have actually been paid, as opposed to those not paid but credited.

(4)Subject to regulations under section 19(4) to (6) above, no earnings factor shall be derived—

(a)for 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, from earnings [F45in respect of which] primary Class 1 contributions are paid at the reduced rate, or

(b)for any earlier tax year, from primary Class 1 contributions paid at the reduced rate or from secondary Class 1 contributions.

(5)Regulations may provide for crediting—

(a)for 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, earnings or Class 2 or Class 3 contributions, or

(b)for any earlier tax year, contributions of any class,

for the purpose of bringing a person’s earnings factor for that tax year to a figure which will enable him to satisfy contribution conditions of entitlement to [F37a contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance [F46, to a contributory employment and support allowance] or to] any prescribed description of benefit (whether his own entitlement or another person’s).

[F47(5A)Section 23A below makes provision for the crediting of Class 3 contributions for the purpose of determining entitlement to the benefits to which that section applies.]

(6)Regulations may impose limits with respect to the earnings factors which a person may have or be treated as having in respect of any one tax year.

(7)The M1power to amend regulations made before 30th March 1977 (the making of the Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977) under subsection (5) above may be so exercised as to restrict the circumstances in which and the purposes for which a person is entitled to credits in respect of weeks before the coming into force of the amending regulations; but not so as to affect any benefit for a period before the coming into force of the amending regulations if it was claimed before 18th March 1977.

[F48(8)In this section, “contributory employment and support allowance” means a contributory allowance under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (employment and support allowance).]

[F49(9)References in this Act or any other statutory provision to earnings factors derived from so much of a person's earnings as do not exceed the upper accrual point or the upper earnings limit are to be read, in relation to earners paid otherwise than weekly, as references to earnings factors derived from so much of those earnings as do not exceed the prescribed equivalent.]

Textual Amendments

F36Words in s. 22(1)(a)(2A) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 26(2)

F39S. 22(2A) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(1); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F44Words in s. 22(3)(a) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 26(3)

F46Words in s. 22(5) inserted (1.7.2008 for specified purposes, 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(3)(b); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 1

F48S. 22(8) added (1.7.2008 for specified purposes, 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(4); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 22 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

Marginal Citations

23 Provisions supplemental to ss. 21 and 22.N.I.

(1)Earnings factors derived as mentioned in section [F5022(1)] above, including earnings factors as increased by any order under section 130 of the Administration Act—

(a)shall be expressed, subject to subsection (2) below, as whole numbers of pounds; and

(b)shall be made ascertainable from tables or rules to be drawn up by the Department and embodied in regulations.

(2)Subsection (1) above does not require earnings factors in respect of the tax year 1978-79 or any subsequent tax year which have been revalued for the purpose of calculating guaranteed minimum pensions under the Pensions Order [F51or the Pensions Act] to be expressed as whole numbers of pounds.

(3)The tables and rules referred to in subsection (1) above shall be drawn up so that, in general—

(a)in respect of the tax year 1987-88 and any subsequent tax year, the amount of earnings [F52not exceeding the upper earnings limit] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid gives rise, subject to [F53subsections (3A) and] (4) below, to an earnings factor for that year equal or approximating to the amount of those earnings; and

(b)any number of Class 2 or Class 3 contributions in respect of a tax year gives rise to an earnings factor for that tax year equal or approximating to that year’s lower earnings limit for Class 1 contributions multiplied by the number of contributions.

[F54(3A)For the purposes specified in section 22(2)(b) (additional pension), subsection (3)(a) has effect in relation to 2009–10 and subsequent tax years as if the reference to the upper earnings limit were to the upper accrual point.]

(4)The Department may by regulations make such modifications of subsection (3)(a) above as appear to the Department to be appropriate in consequence of section 8(2) above.

Textual Amendments

F50Words in s. 23(1) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 131(2)

F51Words in s. 23(2) inserted (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 184, Sch. 7 para. 31; S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

F52Words in s. 23(3)(a) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 27

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4S. 23 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

[F5523AContributions credits for relevant parents and carersN.I.

(1)This section applies to the following benefits—

(a)a Category A retirement pension in a case where the contributor concerned attains pensionable age on or after 6th April 2010,

(b)a Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of section 48A below in a case where the contributor concerned attains pensionable age on or after that date,

(c)a Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of section 48B below in a case where the contributor concerned dies on or after that date without having attained pensionable age before that date,

(d)a widowed parent's allowance payable in a case where the contributor concerned dies on or after that date,

(e)a bereavement allowance payable in a case where the contributor concerned dies on or after that date.

(2)The contributor concerned in the case of a benefit to which this section applies shall be credited with a Class 3 contribution for each week falling after 6th April 2010 in respect of which the contributor was a relevant carer.

(3)A person is a relevant carer in respect of a week if the person—

(a)is awarded child benefit for any part of that week in respect of a child under the age of 12,

(b)is a foster parent for any part of that week, or

(c)is engaged in caring, within the meaning given by regulations, in that week.

(4)Regulations may make provision for a person's entitlement to be credited with Class 3 contributions by virtue of falling within subsection (3)(b) or (c) above to be conditional on the person—

(a)applying to be so credited in accordance with the prescribed requirements, and

(b)complying with the prescribed requirements as to the provision of information to the Department [F56or to the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs].

(5)The contributor concerned in the case of a benefit to which this section applies shall be credited with 52 Class 3 contributions for each tax year ending before 6th April 2010 in which the contributor was precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home within the meaning of regulations under paragraph 5(7) of Schedule 3 to this Act.

(6)But the maximum number of tax years for which a person can be credited with contributions under subsection (5) above is—

(a)in the case of a benefit mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (c) above, 22;

(b)in the case of a benefit mentioned in subsection (1)(d) or (e) above, half the requisite number of years of the person's working life.

(7)The table in paragraph 5(5) of Schedule 3 to this Act (requisite number of years of a working life of given duration) applies for the purposes of subsection (6)(b) above as it applies for the purposes of the second condition set out in paragraph 5(3) of that Schedule.

(8)For the purpose of determining entitlement to a benefit to which this section applies, a week that falls partly in one tax year and partly in another is to be treated as falling in the year in which it begins and not in the following year.

(9)In this section—

  • “the contributor concerned” has the meaning given in section 21(5)(a) above;

  • “foster parent” has the meaning given by regulations.]

Textual Amendments

24 Records of earnings and calculation of earnings factors in absence of records.N.I.

(1)Regulations may provide for requiring persons to maintain, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, records of such earnings paid by them as are relevant for the purpose of calculating earnings factors, and to retain such records for so long as may be prescribed.

(2)Where the Department is satisfied that records of earnings relevant for the purpose of calculating a person’s earnings factors for the tax year 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year have not been maintained or retained or are otherwise unobtainable, then, for the purpose of determining those earnings factors, the Department may—

(a)compute, in such manner as it thinks fit, an amount which shall be regarded as the amount of [F57so much of that person’s earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and] on which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid; or

(b)take the amount of those earnings to be such sum as it may specify in the particular case.

Textual Amendments

F57Words in s. 24(2)(a) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 28