SCHEDULES
C1C12C15 SCHEDULE 5F74Pension Increase or Lump Sum Where Entitlement to Retirement Pension is Deferred
Sch. 5 modified (temp. from 1.12.1999 until 5.10.2002) by The Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(4)(b), 49(7)(b) (the temp. modification lapsing on the coming into operation of S.R. 2001/441)
Sch. 5 modified (6.4.2005) by The Social Security (Retirement Pensions etc.) (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/123), regs. 1(1), 2
Sch. 5: sums modified (22.3.2024) by The Social Security (2023 Benefits Up-rating) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/69), arts. 1, 4(3)(b)
F41Choice between increase of pension and lump sum where pensioner’s entitlement is deferred
Sch. 5 para. A1 and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 3
A1
1
Where a person’s entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension is deferred and the period of deferment is at least 12 months, the person shall, on claiming his pension or within a prescribed period after claiming it, elect in the prescribed manner either—
a
that paragraph 1 (entitlement to increase of pension) is to apply in relation to the period of deferment, or
b
that paragraph 3A (entitlement to lump sum) is to apply in relation to the period of deferment.
2
If no election under sub-paragraph (1) is made within the period prescribed under that sub-paragraph, the person is to be treated as having made an election under sub-paragraph (1)(b).
3
Regulations—
a
may enable a person who has made an election under sub-paragraph (1) (including one that the person is treated by sub-paragraph (2) as having made) to change the election within a prescribed period and in a prescribed manner, if prescribed conditions are satisfied, and
b
if they enable a person to make an election under sub-paragraph (1)(b) in respect of a period of deferment after receiving any increase of pension under paragraph 1 by reference to that period, may for the purpose of avoiding duplication of payment—
i
enable an amount determined in accordance with the regulations to be recovered from the person in a prescribed manner and within a prescribed period, or
ii
provide for an amount determined in accordance with the regulations to be treated as having been paid on account of the amount to which the person is entitled under paragraph 3A.
4
Where the Category A or Category B retirement pension includes any increase under F47paragraphs 5 to 6A, no election under sub-paragraph (1) applies to so much of the pension as consists of that increase (an entitlement to an increase of pension in respect of such an increase after a period of deferment being conferred either by paragraphs 1 and 2 or by paragraph 2A).
Increase of pension where pensioner’s entitlement is deferred
F201
1
This paragraph applies where a person’s entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension is deferred and one of the following conditions is met—
a
the period of deferment is less than 12 months, or
b
the person has made an election under paragraph A1(1)(a) in relation to the period of deferment.
2
The rate of the person’s Category A or Category B retirement pension shall be increased by an amount equal to the aggregate of the increments to which he is entitled under paragraph 2, but only if that amount is enough to increase the rate of the pension by at least 1 per cent.
2
1
Subject to paragraph 3 below, a person is entitled to an increment under this paragraph for each complete incremental period in his F46period of deferment.
2
3
Subject to paragraph 3 below, the amount of the increment for any such incremental period shall be F171/5th per cent. of the weekly rate of the Category A or Category B retirement pension to which that person would have been entitled for the period if his entitlement had not been deferred.
4
Where an amount is required to be calculated in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (3) above—
a
the amount so calculated shall be rounded to the nearest penny, taking any 1/2p as nearest to the next whole penny above; and
b
where the amount so calculated would, apart from this sub-paragraph, be a sum less than 1/2p, that amount shall be taken to be zero, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Pensions Order or the Administration Act.
5
For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) above the weekly rate of pension for any period shall be taken—
a
to include any increase under section 47(1) above and any increase under F34paragraph 4, 5, 5A, 6 or 6A below, but
6
The reference in sub-paragraph (5) above to any increase under subsection (1) of section 47 above shall be taken as a reference to any increase that would take place under that subsection if subsection (2) of that section and F1section 42(5) of the Pensions Act were disregarded.
7
8
Where a pensioner’s rights premium is paid in respect of a person who is, or if his entitlement had not been deferred would be, entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension, then, in calculating any increment under this paragraph which falls to be paid to him in respect of such a pension after the date on which the premium is paid there shall be disregarded any guaranteed minimum pension to which the pensioner was entitled in connection with the employment to which the premium relates.
F702A
1
This paragraph applies where—
a
a person’s entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension is deferred,
b
the pension includes an increase under F27paragraphs 5 to 6A, and
c
the person has made (or is treated as having made) an election under paragraph A1(1)(b) in relation to the period of deferment.
2
The rate of the person’s Category A or Category B retirement pension shall be increased by an amount equal to the aggregate of the increments to which he is entitled under sub-paragraph (3).
3
For each complete incremental period in the person’s period of deferment, the amount of the increment shall be 1/5th per cent. of the weekly rate of the increase to which the person would have been entitled under F27paragraphs 5 to 6A for the period if his entitlement to the Category A or Category B retirement pension had not been deferred.
3
1
Regulations may provide that sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) of paragraph 2 above shall have effect with such additions, omissions and amendments as are prescribed in relation to a person during whose F31period of deferment there has been a change, other than a change made by such an order as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (7) of that paragraph, in the rate of the Category A or Category B retirement pension to which he would have been entitled if his entitlement to the pension had commenced on attaining pensionable age.
2
Any regulations under this paragraph may make such consequential additions, omissions and amendments in paragraph 8(3) below as the Department considers are appropriate in consequence of any changes made by virtue of this paragraph in paragraph 2 above.
F19Lump sum where pensioner’s entitlement is deferred
Sch. 5 paras. 3A, 3B and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 7(1) (with Sch. 9 para. 7(2))
3A
1
This paragraph applies where—
a
a person’s entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension is deferred, and
b
the person has made (or is treated as having made) an election under paragraph A1(1)(b) in relation to the period of deferment.
2
The person is entitled to an amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 3B (a “lump sum”).
F19Calculation of lump sum
3B
1
The lump sum is the accrued amount for the last accrual period beginning during the period of deferment.
2
In this paragraph—
“accrued amount” means the amount calculated in accordance with sub-paragraph (3);
“accrual period” means any period of seven days beginning with a prescribed day of the week, where that day falls within the period of deferment.
3
The accrued amount for an accrual period for a person is—
where—
A is the accrued amount for the previous accrual period (or, in the case of the first accrual period beginning during the period of deferment, zero);
P is the amount of the Category A or Category B retirement pension to which the person would have been entitled for the accrual period if his entitlement had not been deferred;
R is—
- a
a percentage rate 2 per cent. higher than the Bank of England base rate, or
- b
such higher rate as may be prescribed in regulations under paragraph 7C(2).
- a
4
For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3), any change in the Bank of England base rate is to be treated as taking effect—
a
at the beginning of the accrual period immediately following the accrual period during which the change took effect, or
b
if regulations so provide, at such other time as may be prescribed.
5
For the purposes of the calculation of the lump sum, the amount of Category A or Category B retirement pension to which the person would have been entitled for an accrual period—
a
includes any increase under section 47(1) and any increase under paragraph 4 of this Schedule, but
b
does not include—
i
any increase under section 83A or 85 or F26paragraphs 5 to 6A of this Schedule,
ii
any graduated retirement benefit, or
iii
in prescribed circumstances, such other amount of Category A or Category B retirement pension as may be prescribed.
6
The reference in sub-paragraph (5)(a) to any increase under subsection (1) of section 47 shall be taken as a reference to any increase that would take place under that subsection if subsection (2) of that section and section 42(5) of the Pensions Act were disregarded.
F62Choice between increase of pension and lump sum where pensioner’s deceased spouse F75or civil partner has deferred entitlement
Sch. 5 para. 3C and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 8
Words in Sch. 5 para. 3C heading inserted (10.11.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(2)(b)(3), Sch. para. 6(e)(i)
C83C
1
Subject to paragraph 8, this paragraph applies where—
a
a F81widow, widower or surviving civil partner (“W”) is entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension,
b
c
S’s entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension was deferred when S died, and
d
S’s entitlement had been deferred throughout the period of 12 months ending with the day before S’s death.
2
W shall within the prescribed period elect in the prescribed manner either—
a
that paragraph 4 (entitlement to increase of pension) is to apply in relation to S’s period of deferment, or
b
that paragraph 7A (entitlement to lump sum) is to apply in relation to S’s period of deferment.
3
If no election under sub-paragraph (2) is made within the period prescribed under that sub-paragraph, W is to be treated as having made an election under sub-paragraph (2)(b).
4
Regulations—
a
may enable a person who has made an election under sub-paragraph (2) (including one that the person is treated by sub-paragraph (3) as having made) to change the election within a prescribed period and in a prescribed manner, if prescribed conditions are satisfied, and
b
if they enable a person to make an election under sub-paragraph (2)(b) in respect of a period of deferment after receiving any increase of pension under paragraph 4 by reference to that period, may for the purpose of avoiding duplication of payment—
i
enable an amount determined in accordance with the regulations to be recovered from the person in a prescribed manner and within a prescribed period, or
ii
provide for an amount determined in accordance with the regulations to be treated as having been paid on account of the amount to which the person is entitled under paragraph 7A.
5
Increase of pension where pensioner’s deceased spouse F50or civil partner has deferred entitlement
Words in Sch. 5 para. 4 cross-heading inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(3), Sch. para. 6(f)(i)
C2C9C114
C3F431
Subject to paragraph 8, this paragraph applies where a F58widow, widower or surviving civil partner (“W”) is entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension and was married to F40or was the civil partner of the other party to the marriage F76or civil partnership (“S”) when S died and one of the following conditions is met—
a
S was entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension with an increase under this Schedule,
b
W is a F58widow, widower or surviving civil partner to whom paragraph 3C applies and has made an election under paragraph 3C(2)(a), or
c
paragraph 3C would apply to W but for the fact that the condition in sub-paragraph (1)(d) of that paragraph is not met.
F431A
Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the rate of W’s pension shall be increased—
a
b
in a case falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b), by an amount equal to the increase to which S would have been entitled under this Schedule, apart from F12paragraphs 5 to 6AF56... , if the period of deferment had ended immediately before S’s death and S had then made an election under paragraph A1(1)(a), or
F862
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
If a married person dies after F25th October 2002F22or a civil partner dies on or after 5th December 2005, the rate of the retirement pension for that person’s F28widow, widower or surviving civil partner shall be increased by an amount equivalent to the sum of—
a
the increase in the basic pension to which the deceased spouse F33or civil partner was entitled; and
b
one-half of the increase in the additional pension.
4
In any case where—
a
b
one or more orders have come into force under section 132 of the Administration Act during that period,
the amount of the increase to which the surviving spouse F25or civil partner is entitled under this paragraph shall be determined as if the order or orders had come into force before the beginning of that period.
5
This paragraph does not apply in any case where the deceased spouse died before 6th April 1979 and the widow or widower attained pensionable age before that date.
C4C13F35
F41
Where—
a
b
S either—
i
was entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension with an increase under section 11(1) of the Pensions Act, or
ii
would have been so entitled if S had retired on the date of S’s death,
the rate of W’s pension shall be increased by the following amount.
2
The amount is—
a
where W is F53a woman—
i
whose deceased spouse was a man, or
ii
who falls within paragraph 7(3) below,
an amount equal to the sum of the amounts set out in paragraph 5A(2) or (3) below (as the case may be), F61...
b
c
where W F57is—
i
a woman who does not fall within paragraph 7(3) below and whose deceased spouse was a woman,
ii
a man whose deceased spouse was a man, or
iii
a surviving civil partner,
an amount equal to the sum of the amounts set out in paragraph 6A(2) below.
C5F55A
F131
This paragraph applies where W (referred to in paragraph 5 above) is a F23woman—
a
whose deceased spouse was a man, or
b
who falls within paragraph 7(3) below.
2
Where the F69spouse dies before F66th October 2002, the amounts referred to in paragraph 5(2)(a) above are the following—
a
an amount equal to one-half of the increase mentioned in paragraph 5(1)(b) above,
b
the appropriate amount, and
c
an amount equal to any increase to which the F69spouse had been entitled under paragraph 5 above.
3
Where the F38spouse dies after F65th October 2002, the amounts referred to in paragraph 5(2)(a) above are the following—
a
one-half of the appropriate amount F89... , and
b
one-half of any increase to which the F38spouse had been entitled under paragraph 5 above.
C6F76
F161
This paragraph applies where W (referred to in paragraph 5 above) is a F78man whose deceased spouse was a woman.
2
Where the wife dies before 6th April 1989, the amounts referred to in paragraph 5(2)(b) above are the following—
a
an amount equal to the increase mentioned in paragraph 5(1)(b) above,
b
the appropriate amount, and
c
an amount equal to any increase to which the wife had been entitled under paragraph 5 above.
3
Where the wife dies after 5th April 1989 but before F86th October 2002, the amounts referred to in paragraph 5(2)(b) above are the following—
a
the increase mentioned in paragraph 5(1)(b) above, so far as attributable to employment before 6th April 1988,
b
one-half of that increase, so far as attributable to employment after 5th April 1988,
c
the appropriate amount reduced by the amount of any increases under section 105 of the Pension Act, and
d
any increase to which the wife had been entitled under paragraph 5 above.
4
Where the wife dies after F85th October 2002, the amounts referred to in paragraph 5(2)(b) above are the following—
a
one-half of the increase mentioned in paragraph 5(1)(b) above, so far as attributable to employment before 6th April 1988,
b
one-half of the appropriate amount F88... , and
c
one-half of any increase to which the wife had been entitled under paragraph 5 above.
F796A
F541
This paragraph applies where W (referred to in paragraph 5 above) F67is—
a
a woman who does not fall within paragraph 7(3) below and whose deceased spouse was a woman,
b
a man whose deceased spouse was a man, or
c
a surviving civil partner.
2
The amounts referred to in paragraph 5(2)(c) above are the following—
a
one-half of the increase mentioned in paragraph 5(1)(b) above, so far as attributable to employment before 6th April 1988,
b
one-half of the appropriate amount F85... , and
c
one-half of any increase to which the deceased F32spouse or civil partner had been entitled under paragraph 5 above.
C77
F491
For the purposes of F36paragraphs 5 to 6A above, the “appropriate amount” means the greater of—
a
b
the amount by which his Category A or Category B retirement pension would have been so increased had he died immediately before his surviving spouse F71or civil partner became entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension.
2
Where an amount is required to be calculated in accordance with the provisions of F45paragraph 5, 5A, 6 or 6A or sub-paragraph (1) above—
a
the amount so calculated shall be rounded to the nearest penny, taking any 1/2p as nearest to the next whole penny above; and
b
where the amount so calculated would, apart from this sub-paragraph, be a sum less than 1/2p, that amount shall be taken to be zero, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the F10Pensions Act or the Administration Act.
F243
For the purposes of paragraphs 5, 5A and 6A above, a woman falls within this sub-paragraph if—
a
she was married to another woman who, at the time of her death, was a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and
b
that marriage subsisted before the time when that certificate was issued.
F297ZA
1
This paragraph modifies paragraphs 5A to 6A in cases where—
a
W became entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension before 7 June 2012, and
b
S died before 7 June 2012.
(“W” and “S” have the same meaning as in paragraph 5.)
2
Paragraph 5A applies as if—
a
in sub-paragraph (2), after paragraph (a), there were inserted—
b
the appropriate amount; and
b
in sub-paragraph (3), after “following—”, there were inserted—
a
one half of the appropriate amount; and
3
Paragraph 6 applies as if—
a
in sub-paragraph (2), after paragraph (a), there were inserted—
b
the appropriate amount; and”;
b
in sub-paragraph (3), after paragraph (b), there were inserted—
c
the appropriate amount reduced by the amount of any increases under section 105 of the Pensions Act; and
c
in sub-paragraph (4), after paragraph (a), there were inserted—
b
one half of the appropriate amount; and
4
Paragraph 6A applies as if in sub-paragraph (2), after paragraph (a), there were inserted—
b
one half of the appropriate amount; and
5
In paragraphs 5A to 6A as modified by this paragraph, the “appropriate amount” means the greater of—
a
the amount by which the deceased person's Category A or Category B retirement pension had been increased under section 132 of the Administration Act; or
b
the amount by which his or her Category A or Category B retirement pension would have been so increased had he or she died immediately before the surviving spouse or civil partner became entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension.
6
In sub-paragraph (1)(a) the reference to becoming entitled to a pension before 7 June 2012 includes a reference to becoming entitled on or after that day to the payment of a pension in respect of a period before that day.
F55Entitlement to lump sum where pensioner’s deceased spouse F21or civil partner has deferred entitlement
Sch. 5 paras. 7A, 7B and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 10(1) (with Sch. 9 para. 10(2))
Words in Sch. 5 para. 7A cross-heading inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(3), Sch. para. 6(j)(i)
C14C167A
1
This paragraph applies where a person to whom paragraph 3C applies (“W”) has made (or is treated as having made) an election under paragraph 3C(2)(b).
2
W is entitled to an amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 7B (a “widowed person’s F82or surviving civil partner's lump sum”).
F55Calculation of widowed person’s F14or surviving civil partner's lump sum
Words in Sch. 5 para. 7B heading inserted (10.11.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(2)(b)(3), Sch. para. 6(k)(i)
C107B
1
The widowed person’s F60or surviving civil partner's lump sum is the accrued amount for the last accrual period beginning during the period which—
a
began at the beginning of S’s period of deferment, and
b
ended on the day before S’s death.
2
In this paragraph—
“S” means the other party to the marriage F63or civil partnership;
“accrued amount” means the amount calculated in accordance with sub-paragraph (3);
“accrual period” means any period of seven days beginning with a prescribed day of the week, where that day falls within S’s period of deferment.
3
The accrued amount for an accrual period for W is—
where—
A is the accrued amount for the previous accrual period (or, in the case of the first accrual period beginning during the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), zero);
P is—
- a
the basic pension, and
- b
half of the additional pension,
to which S would have been entitled for the accrual period if his entitlement had not been deferred during the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1);
- a
R is—
- a
a percentage rate 2 per cent. higher than the Bank of England base rate, or
- b
such higher rate as may be prescribed in regulations made under paragraph 7C(2).
- a
4
For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3), any change in the Bank of England base rate is to be treated as taking effect—
a
at the beginning of the accrual period immediately following the accrual period during which the change took effect, or
b
if regulations so provide, at such other time as may be prescribed.
5
For the purposes of the calculation of the widowed person’s F15or surviving civil partner's lump sum, the amount of Category A or Category B retirement pension to which S would have been entitled for an accrual period—
a
includes any increase under section 47(1) and any increase under paragraph 4 of this Schedule, but
6
The reference in sub-paragraph (5)(a) to any increase under subsection (1) of section 47 shall be taken as a reference to any increase that would take place under that subsection if subsection (2) of that section and section 42(5) of the Pensions Act were disregarded.
7
In any case where—
a
there is a period between the death of S and the date on which W becomes entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension, and
b
one or more orders have come into force under section 132 of the Administration Act during that period,
the amount of the lump sum shall be increased in accordance with that order or those orders.
F18Supplementary
Sch. 5 para. 7C and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 11
7C
1
Any lump sum calculated under paragraph 3B or 7B must be rounded to the nearest penny, taking any 1/2p as nearest to the next whole penny.
2
Where the Secretary of State makes regulations prescribing a percentage rate for the purposes of paragraphs 3B and 7B of Schedule 5 to the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act, the Department may make corresponding regulations for Northern Ireland.
F44Married couplesF59and civil partners
Sch. 5 para. 8 cross-heading substituted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 12
Words in Sch. 5 para. 8 cross-heading added (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(3), Sch. para. 6(l)(i)
8
F681
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F682
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F303
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F654
The conditions in paragraph 3C(1)(c) and 4(1)(a) are not satisfied by a Category B retirement pension to which S was or would have been entitled by virtue of W’s contributions.
5
Where the Category A retirement pension to which S was or would have been entitled includes an increase under section 51A(2) attributable to W’s contributions, the increase or lump sum to which W is entitled under paragraph 4(1A) or 7A(2) is to be calculated as if there had been no increase under that section.
6
In sub-paragraphs (4) and (5), “W” and “S” have the same meaning as in paragraph 3C, 4 or 7A, as the case requires.
Uprating
9
The sums which are the increases in the rates of retirement pensions under this Schedule are subject to alteration by orders made by the Department under section 132 of the Administration Act.
Sch. 5 heading substituted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 2