- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
More Resources
Changes over time for: Section 44A
Changes to legislation:
Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, Section 44A is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 30 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 44A:
- s. 167ZZ10(5) inserted by 2022 c. 5 (N.I.) s. 4 Sch. Pt. 2 para. 38
- s. 4C(5)(i)(j) repealed by 2008 c. 1 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 41(3)(c) Sch. 6 Pt. 7
- s. 30B(4)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 9 para. 3
- s. 30B(4)(aa) word repealed by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 12 Pt. 8
- s. 35(1)(e) and word inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(2)(a)
- s. 35(3)(za) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(2)(b)
- s. 44A(7) word repealed by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 12 Pt. 1
- s. 45(2A)(a) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 1(3)(b)
- s. 45(2A)(b) substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 1(3)(c)
- s. 46(5) (6) added by 2008 c. 13 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(3)
- s. 46(5)(a) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 2
- s. 47(4A) inserted by 2008 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 81(6)
- s. 123(1)(ea) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 65(2)(a)
- s. 123(1)(ga) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 5(1)(a)
- s. 123(1C) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 65(2)(b)
- s. 123(6A) (6B) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 5(1)(b)
- s. 123A inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 65(3)
- s. 123A transfer of functions by S.R. 2016/76 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
- s. 123A(2) words omitted by S.R. 2016/76 Sch. 6 para. 38
- s. 123A(4)(b) words omitted by S.R. 2016/76 Sch. 6 para. 38
- s. 129B-129F inserted (temp. until 31.12.2010) by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) s. 31(1)
- s. 134(2A) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 15(2)
- s. 136(4)(ca) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 15(6)
- s. 136(4A) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 15(7)
- s. 146(2A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 3(c)
- s. 160(2)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(3)(a)
- s. 160(9)(da) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(3)(b)
- s. 167ZA(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(4)(a)
- s. 167ZA(3A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(4)(b)
- s. 167ZB(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(5)(a)
- s. 167ZB(3A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(5)(b)
- s. 167ZE(2A) inserted by 2015 c. 1 (N.I.) s. 12(3)(b)
- s. 167ZE(2B) inserted by 2015 c. 1 (N.I.) s. 12(3)(c)
- s. 167ZL(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(6)(a)
- s. 167ZL(8)(za) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(6)(c)
- s. 167ZU(2)(ca) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(2)
- s. 167ZU(4)(da) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(3)
- s. 167ZW(2)(ca) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(4)
- s. 167ZW(4)(da) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(5)
- s. 167ZY(5) words repealed by 2022 c. 18 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- s. 167ZZ9(2)(ba) inserted by 2022 c. 5 (N.I.) s. 4 Sch. Pt. 2 para. 37
- s. 169A inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(7)
- s. 172(4B) inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 4(4)
- Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 2 repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 2A repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4 Pt. 4 para. 1A repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4 Pt. 4 para. 2 repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4C inserted by 2008 c. 13 (N.I.) Sch. 2
- Sch. 4C para. 7(2)(c) inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(7)(b)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(3) inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(8)
- Sch. 4C para. 3 omitted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(3)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(2)(b) word inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(7)(a)
- Sch. 4C para. 1 words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(2)
- Sch. 4C para. 2 words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(2)
- Sch. 4C para. 5(b) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(4)
- Sch. 4C para. 6 words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(5)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(1) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(4)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(1) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(6)
- Sch. 5 para. 000A1(4) omitted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 3(2)
- Sch. 11 para. 2(i) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(8)(a)
- Sch. 11 para. 9 inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(8)(b)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 167ZZ10(5) inserted by 2022 c. 5 (N.I.) s. 4 Sch. Pt. 2 para. 38
- s. 4C(5)(i)(j) repealed by 2008 c. 1 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 41(3)(c) Sch. 6 Pt. 7
- s. 30B(4)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 9 para. 3
- s. 30B(4)(aa) word repealed by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 12 Pt. 8
- s. 35(1)(e) and word inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(2)(a)
- s. 35(3)(za) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(2)(b)
- s. 45(2A)(a) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 1(3)(b)
- s. 45(2A)(b) substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 1(3)(c)
- s. 46(5) (6) added by 2008 c. 13 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(3)
- s. 46(5)(a) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 2
- s. 47(4A) inserted by 2008 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 81(6)
- s. 123(1)(ea) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 65(2)(a)
- s. 123(1)(ga) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 5(1)(a)
- s. 123(1C) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 65(2)(b)
- s. 123(6A) (6B) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 5(1)(b)
- s. 123A inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 65(3)
- s. 123A transfer of functions by S.R. 2016/76 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
- s. 123A(2) words omitted by S.R. 2016/76 Sch. 6 para. 38
- s. 123A(4)(b) words omitted by S.R. 2016/76 Sch. 6 para. 38
- s. 129B-129F inserted (temp. until 31.12.2010) by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) s. 31(1)
- s. 134(2A) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 15(2)
- s. 136(4)(ca) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 15(6)
- s. 136(4A) inserted by 2010 c. 13 (N.I.) s. 15(7)
- s. 146(2A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 3(c)
- s. 160(2)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(3)(a)
- s. 160(9)(da) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(3)(b)
- s. 167ZA(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(4)(a)
- s. 167ZA(3A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(4)(b)
- s. 167ZB(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(5)(a)
- s. 167ZB(3A) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(5)(b)
- s. 167ZE(2A) inserted by 2015 c. 1 (N.I.) s. 12(3)(b)
- s. 167ZE(2B) inserted by 2015 c. 1 (N.I.) s. 12(3)(c)
- s. 167ZL(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(6)(a)
- s. 167ZL(8)(za) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(6)(c)
- s. 167ZU(2)(ca) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(2)
- s. 167ZU(4)(da) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(3)
- s. 167ZW(2)(ca) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(4)
- s. 167ZW(4)(da) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 69(5)
- s. 167ZY(5) words repealed by 2022 c. 18 (N.I.) Sch. 5
- s. 167ZZ9(2)(ba) inserted by 2022 c. 5 (N.I.) s. 4 Sch. Pt. 2 para. 37
- s. 169A inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(7)
- s. 172(4B) inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 4(4)
- Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 2 repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 2A repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4 Pt. 4 para. 1A repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4 Pt. 4 para. 2 repealed by 2007 c. 2 (N.I.) Sch. 8
- Sch. 4C inserted by 2008 c. 13 (N.I.) Sch. 2
- Sch. 4C para. 7(2)(c) inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(7)(b)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(3) inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(8)
- Sch. 4C para. 3 omitted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(3)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(2)(b) word inserted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(7)(a)
- Sch. 4C para. 1 words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(2)
- Sch. 4C para. 2 words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(2)
- Sch. 4C para. 5(b) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(4)
- Sch. 4C para. 6 words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(5)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(1) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(4)
- Sch. 4C para. 7(1) words substituted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 6(6)
- Sch. 5 para. 000A1(4) omitted by 2012 c. 3 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 3(2)
- Sch. 11 para. 2(i) inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(8)(a)
- Sch. 11 para. 9 inserted by S.I. 2015/2006 (N.I.) art. 68(8)(b)
[F144A Deemed earnings factorsN.I.
[F2(A1)Subsections (1) to (4) below apply to the first appointed year or any subsequent tax year before 2010–11.]
(1)For the purposes of section 44(6)(za) above, if any of the conditions in subsection (2) below is satisfied for a relevant year [F3to which this subsection applies], a pensioner is deemed to have an earnings factor for that year which—
(a)is derived from [F4so much of his earnings as did not exceed [F5the applicable limit] and] on which primary Class 1 contributions were paid; and
(b)is equal to the amount which, when added to any other earnings factors taken into account under that provision, produces an aggregate of earnings factors equal to the low earnings threshold.
(2)The conditions referred to in subsection (1) above are that—
(a)the pensioner would, apart from this section, have an earnings factor for the year—
(i)equal to or greater than the qualifying earnings factor for the year; but
(ii)less than the low earnings threshold for the year;
(b)[F6carer’s allowance]—
(i)was payable to the pensioner throughout the year; or
(ii)would have been so payable but for the fact that under regulations the amount payable to him was reduced to nil because of his receipt of other benefits;
(c)for the purposes of paragraph 5(7)(b) of Schedule 3, the pensioner is taken to be precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home throughout the year by virtue of—
(i)the fact that child benefit was payable to him in respect of a child under the age of six; or
(ii)his satisfying such other condition as may be prescribed; or
(d)the pensioner is a person satisfying the requirement in subsection (3) below to whom long-term incapacity benefit [F7or qualifying employment and support allowance] was payable throughout the year, or would have been so payable but for the fact that—
(i)he did not satisfy the contribution conditions specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 [F8or, as the case may be, [F9in paragraphs 1 and 2] of Schedule 1 to the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007]; or
(ii)under regulations the amount payable to him was reduced to nil because of his receipt of other benefits or of payments from an occupational pension scheme or personal pension scheme.
(3)The requirement referred to in subsection (2)(d) above is that—
(a)for one or more relevant years the pensioner has paid, or (apart from this section) is treated as having paid, primary Class 1 contributions on earnings equal to or greater than the qualifying earnings factor; and
(b)the years for which he has such a factor constitute at least one tenth of his working life.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (3)(b) above—
(a)a pensioner’s working life shall not include—
(i)any tax year before 1978-79; or
(ii)any year in which he is deemed under subsection (1) above to have an earnings factor by virtue of fulfilling the condition in subsection (2)(b) or (c) above; and
(b)the figure calculated by dividing his working life by ten shall be rounded to the nearest whole year (and any half year shall be rounded down).
[F10(4A)The following do not apply to a pensioner attaining pensionable age on or after 6th April 2010—
(a)the requirement referred to in subsection (2)(d) above, and
(b)subsections (3) and (4) above.]
(5)The low earnings threshold for the first appointed year and subsequent tax years shall be £9,500 (but subject to section 130A of the Administration Act).
[F11(5A)In subsection (1)(a) “the applicable limit” has the same meaning as in section 44.]
(6)In subsection (2)(d)(ii) above, “occupational pension scheme” and “personal pension scheme” have the same meanings as in subsection (6) of section 30DD above for the purposes of subsection (5) of that section.
[F12(7)In subsection (2)(d) “qualifying employment and support allowance” means contributory employment and support allowance where—
(a)that allowance was payable for a continuous period of 52 weeks;
(b)that allowance included the support component under section 2(2) of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007; or
(c)in the case of—
(i)a man born between 6th April 1944 and 5th April 1947, or
(ii)a woman born between 6th April 1949 and 5th April 1951,
that allowance was payable for a continuous period of 13 weeks immediately following a period throughout which statutory sick pay was payable.]]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 44A inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(3); 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)
F2S. 44A(A1) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 31(2)
F3Words in s. 44A(1) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 31(3)
F4Words in s. 44A(1)(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. 30
F5Words in s. 44A(1)(a) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(2) (with s. 73)
F6Words in s. 44A(2)(b) substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(i)
F7Words in s. 44A(2)(d) inserted (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/286), regs. 1(b), 2(2)(a)(i)
F8Words in s. 44A(2)(d)(i) added (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/286), regs. 1(b), 2(2)(a)(ii)
F9Words in s. 44A(2)(d)(i) substituted (28.6.2010) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/200), regs. 1, 2
F10S. 44A(4A) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 31(4)
F11S. 44A(5A) inserted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(3) (with s. 73)
F12S. 44A(7) added (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/286), regs. 1(b), 2(2)(b)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 44A(1) modified (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(4); 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)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThe Whole Cross Heading
PrintThis Section only
You have chosen to open The Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.