16.—(1) A person who has become entitled to a state pension under this Part may opt to suspend his or her entitlement in accordance with regulations.
(2) A person is not entitled to any state pension under this Part for the period for which the person has opted to suspend his or her entitlement.
(3) For other effects of a person exercising the option, see section 17.
(4) A person may not opt to suspend his or her entitlement to a state pension under this Part on more than one occasion.
(5) Regulations may specify other circumstances in which a person may not opt to suspend his or her entitlement to a state pension under this Part.
(6) Regulations may allow a person who has opted to suspend his or her entitlement to a state pension under this Part to cancel the exercise of that option (in whole or in part) in relation to a past period.