PART 2SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND PENSIONS
Rates or amounts of certain benefits under the Contributions and Benefits Act3
1
From and including the respective dates specified in Article 7, the sums specified in paragraph (2) shall be increased so that Schedule 4 to the Contributions and Benefits Act (rates of benefits, etc.), except paragraph 5 of Part III of that Schedule (guardian’s allowance), has effect as set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.
2
The sums mentioned in paragraph (1) are the sums specified in Parts I, III, IV and V of Schedule 4 to the Contributions and Benefits Act except, in—
a
Part III, the sum specified for age addition to a pension of any category, and otherwise under section 79 of that Act;
b
Part IV, the sums specified in column (2) (increase for qualifying child); and
c
Part V25, the sums specified for the increase in disablement pension for dependent children and death benefit allowance in respect of children and qualifying young persons.
Rates or amounts of certain pensions and allowances under the Contributions and Benefits Act4
1
The sums specified in paragraphs (2) to (5) shall be increased from and including the respective dates specified in Article 7.
2
The sums falling to be calculated under paragraph 13(4) of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act (calculation of weekly rate of a beneficiary’s retirement allowance) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.
3
In section 44(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act26 (basic pension of Category A retirement pension)—
a
for “£109∙50” substitute “£110∙05”; and
b
for “£134∙25” substitute “£137∙60”.
4
It is directed that the sums which are—
a
the additional pensions in long-term benefits calculated by reference to any final relevant year earlier than the tax year 2020-21;
b
the increases in the rates of retirement pensions under Schedule 5 to the Contributions and Benefits Act27 (pension increase or lump sum where entitlement to retirement pension is deferred);
c
lump sums to which surviving spouses or civil partners will become entitled under paragraph 7A of that Schedule28 on becoming entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension (entitlement to lump sum where pensioner’s deceased spouse or civil partner has deferred entitlement); and
d
shall in each case be increased by 0.5 per cent.
Rates or amounts of certain benefits under the Pension Schemes Act5
1
It is directed that the sums specified in paragraph (2) shall be increased from and including the respective dates specified in Article 7.
2
Sums which are payable by virtue of section 11(1) of the Pension Schemes Act (increase of guaranteed minimum where commencement of guaranteed minimum pension postponed) to a person who is also entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension (including sums payable by virtue of section 13(2) and (3) of that Act33) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent. where the increase under section 11(1) is attributable to earnings factors for the tax year 1987-88 and earlier tax years34.
Rates or amounts of certain pensions under Part 1 of the Pensions Act6
1
The sums specified in paragraphs (2) to (4) shall be increased from and including the date specified in Article 7(10).
2
In regulation 1A of the State Pension Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201535 (full rate of state pension) for “£175.20” substitute “£179∙60”.
3
It is directed that the sums which are increases under section 17 of the Pensions Act in the rates of state pensions under Part 1 of that Act shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.
4
The amounts which, under—
a
section 9 of the Pensions Act, are survivor’s pensions based on inheritance of deferred old state pension;
b
paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 2 to the Pensions Act, are the amounts of state pensions under Part 1 of the Pensions Act at the transitional rate which exceed the full rate;
c
paragraphs 5(3) and 6 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act, are the amounts of survivor’s pensions which either alone or in combination with one or more other pensions under Part 1 of that Act exceed the full rate; and
d
paragraphs 5(3) and 6 of Schedule 9 to the Pensions Act, are the amounts of shared state pensions under Part 1 of the Pensions Act which either alone or in combination with one or more other pensions under Part 1 of that Act exceed the full rate,
shall in each case be increased by 0.5 per cent.
5
For the purpose of this Article, “old state pension” has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Pensions Act.
Dates on which sums specified for rates or amounts of benefits in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14 are changed by this Order7
1
Paragraph (7), which is subject to the provisions of paragraph (9), and paragraphs (2) to (6), (8), (10) and (11) specify the date on which the changes made by this Order in the sums specified for rates or amounts of benefit in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14 shall take effect for each case.
2
Any increases in the sums mentioned in Articles 3, 4, 12 and 13 for Category A, Category B, Category C and Category D retirement pension and graduated retirement benefit together with, where appropriate, any increases for dependants, shall take effect on 12th April 2021.
3
The increases in the sums mentioned in Article 5 shall take effect on 12th April 2021.
4
Any increases in the sums specified for the rate of—
i
attendance allowance, and
ii
carer’s allowance (except in a case where the Department has made arrangements for it to be paid on a Wednesday),
shall take effect on 12th April 2021.
5
Any increases in the sums specified for—
a
the rate of—
i
carer’s allowance in a case where the Department has made arrangements for it to be paid on a Wednesday,
ii
disablement benefit,
iii
maximum disablement gratuity under paragraph 9(2) of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act,
iv
industrial death benefit by way of widow’s and widower’s pension, and
v
the maximum of the aggregate of weekly benefit payable for successive accidents, under section 107(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act; and
b
any increases in—
i
the benefits referred to in sub-paragraphs (a)(i), (ii) and (iv) in respect of dependants, and
ii
disablement pension,
shall take effect on 14th April 2021.
6
In any case where a person’s weekly rate of Category A or Category B retirement pension falls to be increased under the provisions of section 47(1) or 48C(2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act36 by reference to the weekly rate of invalidity allowance or age addition to long-term incapacity benefit to which the person was previously entitled, any increase in such sum shall take effect on 12th April 2021.
7
The changes in the sums specified for the rate of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance together with, where appropriate, any increases for dependants, shall take effect on 15th April 2021.
8
The increases in the sums falling to be calculated in accordance with paragraph 13(4) of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act (retirement allowance) shall take effect on 7th April 2021.
9
Any increase in the sum specified in Article 26(b), in so far as that sum is relevant for the purposes of establishing whether the rate of any benefit is not to be increased in respect of an adult dependant because the earnings of the dependant exceed a specified amount, shall take effect—
a
except in a case where sub-paragraph (b) applies, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for the beneficiary on or after 12th April 2021;
b
in a case where regulation 7(b) of the Computation of Earnings Regulations (date on which earnings are treated as paid) applies, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for the beneficiary on or after 1st April 2021,
and for the purpose of this paragraph, “benefit week” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Computation of Earnings Regulations.
10
Any increases in the sums mentioned in Article 6 for state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act shall take effect on 12th April 2021.
11
The increase in the sum mentioned in Article 14 shall take effect on 12th April 2021.
Earnings limits8
In section 80(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act37 (earnings limits in respect of child dependency increases)—
a
in both places, the sum of “£245∙00” remains the same; and
b
the sum of “£33∙00” remains the same.
Statutory sick pay9
In section 153(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act38 (rate of payment) for “£95∙85” substitute “£96∙35”.
Statutory maternity pay10
In regulation 6 of the Statutory Maternity Pay (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 198739 (prescribed rate of statutory maternity pay) for “£151∙20” substitute “£151∙97”.
Statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay and statutory shared parental pay11
1
In the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Weekly Rates) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 200240—
a
in regulation 2(a) (weekly rate of payment of statutory paternity pay) for “£151∙20” substitute “£151∙97”; and
b
in regulation 3(a) (weekly rate of payment of statutory adoption pay) for “£151∙20” substitute “£151∙97”.
2
In regulation 40(1)(a) of the Statutory Shared Parental Pay (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201541 (weekly rate of payment of statutory shared parental pay) for “£151∙20” substitute “£151∙97”.
Graduated retirement benefit12
1
In section 35(1) of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 196642 (graduated retirement benefit)—
a
the sum of 14∙40 pence shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.; and
b
the reference in that provision to that sum shall have effect as a reference to 14∙47 pence.
2
The sums which are the increases of graduated retirement benefit under Schedule 2 to the Social Security (Graduated Retirement Benefit) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 197843 (increases for deferred entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.
3
The sums which are lump sums to which surviving spouses or civil partners will become entitled under Schedule 1 to the Social Security (Graduated Retirement Benefit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 200544 (increases of graduated retirement benefit and lump sums) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.
4
The sums which are the additions under section 36(1) of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (special provision as to graduated retirement benefit for widows and widowers) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.
Amount of Category C retirement pension under the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 197913
In regulation 11(3) of the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 197945 (Category C retirement pension for widows of men over pensionable age on 5th July 1948) for “£80∙45” substitute “£82∙45”.
Maximum additional pension14
In regulation 2A of the Social Security (Maximum Additional Pension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201046 (prescribed maximum additional pension for survivors who become entitled on or after 6th April 2016) for “£179∙41” substitute “£180∙31”.
Disability living allowance15
In regulation 4 of the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 199247 (rate of benefit)—
a
in paragraph (1)(a) for “£89∙15” substitute “£89∙60”;
b
in paragraph (1)(b) for “£59∙70” substitute “£60∙00”;
c
in paragraph (1)(c) for “£23∙60” substitute “£23∙70”;
d
in paragraph (2)(a) for “£62∙25” substitute “£62∙55”; and
e
in paragraph (2)(b) for “£23∙60” substitute “£23∙70”.
Personal independence payment16
In regulation 24 of the Personal Independence Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201648 (rate of personal independence payment)—
a
in paragraph (1)(a) for “£59∙70” substitute “£60∙00”;
b
in paragraph (1)(b) for “£89∙15” substitute “£89∙60”;
c
in paragraph (2)(a) for “£23∙60” substitute “£23∙70”; and
d
in paragraph (2)(b) for “£62∙25” substitute “£62∙55”.
Age addition to long-term incapacity benefit17
1
Subject to paragraph (2), in regulation 9(2) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 199449 (increase in rate of incapacity benefit where beneficiary is under prescribed age on the qualifying date)—
a
in sub-paragraph (a) for “£23∙30” substitute “£23∙40”; and
b
in sub-paragraph (b) for “£11∙70” substitute “£11∙75”.
2
In so far as a claimant entitled to long-term incapacity benefit corresponds to a claimant under Article 17(2) of the Great Britain Up-rating Order, the sums specified in regulation 9(2)(a) and (b) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 shall be increased to £12∙15 and £6∙75 respectively.
Transitional invalidity allowance in long-term incapacity benefit cases18
1
Subject to paragraph (2), in regulation 18(2) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Transitional) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 199550 (rate of long-term incapacity benefit in transitional cases)—
a
in sub-paragraph (a) for “£23∙30” substitute “£23∙40;
b
in sub-paragraph (b) for “£14∙90” substitute “£15∙00”; and
c
in sub-paragraph (c) for “£7∙45” substitute “£7∙50”.
2
In so far as a claimant entitled to long-term incapacity benefit corresponds to a claimant under Article 18(2) of the Great Britain Up-rating Order, the sums specified in regulation 18(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Transitional) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 shall be increased to £12∙15, £6∙75 and £6∙75 respectively.
Bereavement benefits19
In the Rate of Bereavement Benefits Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201051—
a
in regulation 2 (rate of widowed mother’s allowance and widow’s pension) for “£121∙95” substitute “£122∙55”; and
b
in regulation 3 (rate of widowed parent’s allowance) for “£121∙95” substitute “£122∙55”.
Bereavement support payment20
In regulation 3 of the Bereavement Support Payment (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201952 (rate of bereavement support payment)—
a
in paragraph (1) the sum of £350 remains the same;
b
in paragraph (2) the sum of £3,500 remains the same;
c
in paragraph (4) the sum of £100 remains the same; and
d
in paragraph (5) the sum of £2,500 remains the same.