Pensions Act 2007

Part 1 U.K. State pension

Entitlement to Category A and B retirement pensions E+W+S

1 Category A and B retirement pensions: single contribution condition E+W+S

(1) Schedule 3 to the SSCBA (contribution conditions) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 5 (contribution conditions for, among other things, Category A or B retirement pension) in sub-paragraph (1), after “retirement pension” insert “ (other than one in relation to which paragraph 5A applies) ”.

(3) After paragraph 5 insert—

“5A (1) This paragraph applies to—

(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 above 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 above in a case where the contributor concerned dies on or after that date without having attained pensionable age before that date.

(2) The contribution condition for a Category A or Category B retirement pension in relation to which this paragraph applies is that—

(a) the contributor concerned must, in respect of each of not less than 30 years of his working life, have paid or been credited with contributions of a relevant class or been credited (in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent year) with earnings; and

(b) in the case of each of those years, the earnings factor derived as mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) below must be not less than the qualifying earnings factor for that year.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (2) above, the earnings factor—

(a) in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent year, is that which is derived from—

(i) so much of the contributor's earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and upon which such of the contributions mentioned in paragraph (a) of that sub-paragraph as are primary Class 1 contributions were paid or treated as paid or earnings credited; and

(ii) any Class 2 or Class 3 contributions for the year; or

(b) in the case of any earlier year, is that which is derived from the contributions mentioned in paragraph (a) of that sub-paragraph.

(4) Regulations may modify sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above for the purposes of their application in a case where—

(a) the contributor concerned has paid, or been credited with, contributions, or

(b) contributions have been deemed to be, or treated as, paid by or credited to him,

under the National Insurance Act 1946 or the National Insurance Act 1965.”

(4) Part 1 of Schedule 1 contains consequential amendments.

2 Category B retirement pension: removal of restriction on entitlement E+W+S

(1) Section 48A of the SSCBA (Category B retirement pension for married person or civil partner) is amended as follows.

(2) In each of subsections (2)(a) and (2B)(a) (whose effect is to require the other spouse or other civil partner to have claimed a Category A retirement pension) omit “and become entitled to a Category A retirement pension”.

(3) Omit subsection (5) (restriction on when Category B retirement pension for married person or civil partner is payable).

(4) Part 2 of Schedule 1 contains consequential amendments.

(5) The amendments made by this section and that Part of that Schedule have effect as from 6th April 2010.

(6) Section 48A(2) and (2B), as amended by this section, applies whether the person mentioned in section 48A(1) or (2A) attained pensionable age before 6th April 2010 or on or after that date.

Credits for basic state pension E+W+S

3 Contributions credits for relevant parents and carers E+W+S

(1) After section 23 of the SSCBA insert—

“23A Contributions credits for relevant parents and carers

(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 Secretary of State.

(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.

(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 (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.”

(2) In paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 3 to that Act (contribution conditions for entitlement to, among other things, widowed parent's allowance, bereavement allowance and Category A or B retirement pension) at the end of sub-paragraph (7) (home responsibilities protection) insert— “ But nothing in this sub-paragraph applies in relation to any benefit to which section 23A above applies. ”

(3) Part 3 of Schedule 1 contains consequential amendments.

Abolition of adult dependency increases E+W+S

4 Category A and C retirement pensions: abolition of adult dependency increases E+W+S

(1) The following provisions of the SSCBA are to cease to have effect on 6th April 2010—

(a) section 83 (pension increase: wife),

(b) section 84 (pension increase: husband), and

(c) section 85 (pension increase: person with care of children or qualifying young persons).

(2) Paragraph 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (which replaces sections 83 and 84 of the SSCBA with a new section 83A equalising pension increases for dependent spouses and civil partners with effect from 6th April 2010) is omitted.

(3) Part 4 of Schedule 1 contains consequential amendments.

(4) The amendments made by that Part of that Schedule have effect as from 6th April 2010.

(5) Nothing in—

(a) the repeals in subsection (1),

(b) the amendments in Part 4 of Schedule 1, or

(c) the repeals in Part 2 of Schedule 7,

applies in relation to a qualifying person at any time falling on or after 6th April 2010 but before the appropriate date.

(6) In subsection (5) a “qualifying person” means a person who—

(a) has, before 6th April 2010, made a claim for a relevant increase in accordance with section 1 of the Administration Act; and

(b) immediately before that date is either—

(i) entitled to the increase claimed, or

(ii) a beneficiary to whom section 92 of the SSCBA (continuation of awards where fluctuating earnings) applies in respect of that increase.

(7) In subsection (5) “the appropriate date” means the earlier (or earliest) of—

(a) 6th April 2020;

(b) the date when the qualifying person ceases to be either entitled to the relevant increase or a beneficiary to whom section 92 of the SSCBA applies in respect of it;

(c) where the relevant increase is payable to the qualifying person under section 83 of that Act, the date on which his wife attains pensionable age.

(8) In this section “relevant increase” means an increase in a Category A or Category C retirement pension under section 83, 84 or 85 of the SSCBA.

Up-rating of basic state pension and other benefits U.K.

5 Up-rating of basic pension etc. and standard minimum guarantee by reference to earnings E+W+S

(1) After section 150 of the Administration Act insert—

“150A Annual up-rating of basic pension etc. and standard minimum guarantee

(1) The Secretary of State shall in each tax year review the following amounts in order to determine whether they have retained their value in relation to the general level of earnings obtaining in Great Britain—

(a) the amount of the basic pension;

(b) the specified amounts in the case of Category B, C or D retirement pensions;

(c) the specified amounts in the case of industrial death benefit; and

(d) the amounts of the standard minimum guarantee for the time being prescribed under section 2(4) and (5)(a) and (b) of the State Pension Credit Act 2002.

(2) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the general level of earnings is greater at the end of the period under review than it was at the beginning of that period, he shall lay before Parliament the draft of an order which increases each of the amounts referred to in subsection (1) above by a percentage not less than the percentage by which the general level of earnings is greater at the end of the period than it was at the beginning.

(3) Subsection (2) above does not require the Secretary of State to provide for an increase in any case if it appears to him that the amount of the increase would be inconsiderable.

(4) The Secretary of State may, in providing for an increase in pursuance of subsection (2) above, adjust the amount of the increase so as to round the sum in question up or down to such extent as he thinks appropriate.

(5) The Secretary of State shall lay with a draft order under this section a copy of a report by the Government Actuary or the Deputy Government Actuary giving that Actuary's opinion on the likely effect on the National Insurance Fund of any parts of the order relating to sums payable out of that Fund.

(6) If a draft order laid before Parliament under this section is approved by a resolution of each House, the Secretary of State shall make the order in the form of the draft.

(7) An order under this section shall be framed so as to bring the increase in question into force in the week beginning with the first Monday in the tax year following that in which the order is made.

(8) For the purposes of any review under subsection (1) above the Secretary of State shall estimate the general level of earnings in such manner as he thinks fit.

(9) If a draft order under this section is combined with a draft up-rating order under section 150 above, the report required by virtue of subsection (5) above may be combined with that required by virtue of section 150(8) above.

(10) In this section—

• “the amount of the basic pension” means the first amount specified in section 44(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act (weekly rate of Category A retirement pension);

• “the specified amounts in the case of Category B, C or D retirement pensions” means—

  (a)

  the amount specified in paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Contributions and Benefits Act, and

  (b)

  the amounts specified in paragraphs 6 and 7 of Part 3 of that Schedule;

• “the specified amounts in the case of industrial death benefit” means—

  (a)

  the amounts specified in paragraph 10 of Part 5 of that Schedule (apart from the amount of the initial rate), and

  (b)

  the amount specified in paragraph 11 of that Part of that Schedule.”

(2) Part 5 of Schedule 1 contains consequential and related amendments.

(3) The section 150A inserted by subsection (1) and the amendments made by Part 5 of Schedule 1, so far as relating to the amounts referred to in section 150A(1)(a) to (c), have effect in relation to the designated tax year and subsequent tax years (with the result that the first review to be carried out under section 150A(1) in relation to those amounts is to be carried out in the designated tax year).

(4) “The designated tax year” means such tax year as the Secretary of State may designate by an order made before 1st April 2011.

(5) The Secretary of State must exercise his power under subsection (4) in such a way as to secure that the tax year immediately following the designated tax year is one that begins before the relevant dissolution date.

(6) “The relevant dissolution date” means the latest date on which, having regard to the maximum period for which a Parliament may exist, the Parliament in existence at the time of exercise of the power could be dissolved.

(7) The new section 150A inserted by subsection (1) and the amendments made by Part 5 of Schedule 1, so far as relating to the amounts mentioned in section 150A(1)(d), have effect in relation to the tax year in which this Act is passed and subsequent tax years.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 5 wholly in force at 26.9.2007; s. 5 in force for specified purposes at 26.7.2007 and in force for all other purposes at 26.9.2007, see s. 30

6 Preservation of link with prices in case of other benefits E+W+S

(1) Section 150 of the Administration Act (up-rating by reference to prices) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (annual reviews)—

(a) in paragraph (a), for sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) substitute—

“(i) Schedule 4 (excluding the provisions of Parts 1, 3 and 5 of the Schedule that specify amounts mentioned in section 150A(1) below); and

(ii) section 44(4) so far as relating to the lower rate of short-term incapacity benefit;”;

(b) before paragraph (b) insert—

“(ab) specified in regulations under section 39(2A) or section 39C(1A) of that Act;”; and

(c) in paragraph (l), at the end insert “ (other than those prescribing the amounts mentioned in section 150A(1)(d) below) ”.

(3) In subsection (3) (sums to which requirement to up-rate applies)—

(a) in paragraph (a), for “1 to 6” substitute “ 1 to 5 ” and at the end insert “ (excluding the provisions of Parts 1 and 5 of the Schedule that specify amounts mentioned in section 150A(1) below) ”; and

(b) in paragraph (b), before “(b), (c),” insert “ (ab), ”.

(4) In subsection (7) (sums that may be up-rated) at the end insert— “ The reference to regulations under the State Pension Credit Act 2002 does not include those prescribing the amounts mentioned in section 150A(1)(d) below. ”

(5) In section 39 of the SSCBA (rate of widowed mother's allowance and widow's pension) after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) In its application by virtue of subsection (1) above, section 44(4) below is to be read as if for the first amount specified in that provision there were substituted a reference to the amount prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.”

(6) In section 39C of the SSCBA (rate of widowed parent's allowance and bereavement allowance)—

(a) for subsection (2) substitute—

“(1A) In its application by virtue of subsection (1) above, section 44(4) below is to be read as if for the first amount specified in that provision there were substituted a reference to the amount prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.

(2) The weekly amount of a bereavement allowance is an amount equal to the amount prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1A) above.”; and

(b) in subsection (3), for the words “or (as the case may be) section 44 below by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) above” substitute “ by virtue of subsection (1) above ”.

(7) Subsections (2)(a) and (b), (3), (5) and (6) have effect in relation to the designated tax year (see section 5(4)) and subsequent tax years.

(8) Subsections (2)(c) and (4) have effect in relation to the tax year in which this Act is passed and subsequent tax years.

(9) The Secretary of State must exercise his power to prescribe amounts for the purposes of the new sections 39(2A) and 39C(1A) (inserted by subsections (5) and (6)) in such a way as to secure that, at any time before the coming into force of the first provision made under the new section 150A that alters the amount of the basic pension, the amounts prescribed are equal to the amount of the basic pension for the time being.

(10) In subsection (9)—

• “the amount of the basic pension” means the first amount specified in section 44(4) of the SSCBA (weekly rate of Category A retirement pension);

• “the new section 150A” means the section 150A inserted by section 5(1).

Commencement Information

I2 S. 6 wholly in force at 26.9.2007; s. 6 in force for specified purposes at 26.7.2007 and in force for all other purposes at 26.9.2007, see s. 30

7 Removal of link between lower earnings limit and basic pension E+W+S

(1) Section 5 of the SSCBA (earnings limits and thresholds for Class 1 contributions) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (limits and thresholds to be specified in regulations) for the words from “in the case of” to the end substitute “ in the case of the upper earnings limit shall be made in accordance with subsection (3) below. ”

(3) Omit subsection (2) (link between lower earnings limit and weekly rate of basic pension).

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) have effect in relation to the tax year following the designated tax year (see section 5(4)) and subsequent tax years.

(5) In section 176(1) of the SSCBA (instruments subject to affirmative procedure), before paragraph (a) insert—

“(za) regulations under section 5 specifying the lower earnings limit for the tax year following the designated tax year (see section 5(4) of the Pensions Act 2007) or any subsequent tax year;”.

8 Removal of link between lower earnings limit and basic pension: Northern Ireland N.I.

(1) Section 5 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 7) (earnings limits and thresholds for Class 1 contributions) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (limits and thresholds to be specified in regulations) for the words from “in the case of” to the end substitute “ in the case of the upper earnings limit shall be made in accordance with subsection (3) below. ”

(3) Omit subsection (2) (link between lower earnings limit and weekly rate of basic pension).

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) have effect in relation to the tax year following the designated tax year (see section 5(4)) and subsequent tax years.

(5) In section 172 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Assembly, etc. control of regulations and orders)—

(a) in subsection (9) for “(11), (11A) and” substitute “ (11) to ”; and

(b) after subsection (11) insert—

“(11ZA) A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations under section 5 specifying the lower earnings limit for—

(a) the tax year following the designated tax year (see section 5(4) of the Pensions Act 2007), or

(b) any subsequent tax year,

shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.”

Additional pension: deemed earnings factors E+W+S

9 Deemed earnings factors for purposes of additional pension E+W+S

(1) After section 44A of the SSCBA insert—

“44B Deemed earnings factors: 2010-11 onwards

(1) This section applies to 2010-11 and subsequent tax years.

(2) For the purposes of section 44(6)(za) above, if any of Conditions A to C in subsections (3) to (5) below is satisfied for a relevant year to which this section applies, a pensioner is deemed to have an earnings factor for that year which—

(a) is derived from so much of his earnings as did not exceed the 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.

(3) Condition A is that the pensioner would, apart from this section, have an earnings factor for the year—

(a) equal to or greater than the qualifying earnings factor (“the QEF”) for the year, but

(b) less than the low earnings threshold for the year.

(4) Condition B is that the pensioner—

(a) would, apart from this section and section 44C below, have an earnings factor for the year less than the QEF for the year, but

(b) is entitled to an aggregate amount of earnings factor credits for that year under section 44C below equal to the difference between the QEF for the year and the earnings factor mentioned in paragraph (a) above.

(5) Condition C is that the pensioner is entitled to 52 earnings factor credits for that year under section 44C below.

(6) This section has effect in relation to the flat rate introduction year and any subsequent tax year as if—

(a) subsection (2)(b) referred to an aggregate of earnings factors greater than the QEF, but less than the low earnings threshold, for the year (rather than to one equal to that threshold); and

(b) Condition A in subsection (3) (and the reference to it in subsection (2)) were omitted.

(7) In this section—

(a) “the applicable limit” has the same meaning as in section 44 above;

(b) “the low earnings threshold” means the low earnings threshold for the year concerned as specified in section 44A above; and

(c) in subsections (3) and (4), any reference to the pensioner's earnings factor for a relevant year is to be construed in accordance with section 44(6)(za) above.

44C Earnings factor credits

(1) This section applies, for the purposes of Conditions B and C in section 44B(4) and (5) above, to 2010-11 and subsequent tax years.

(2) In respect of each week—

(a) which falls in a relevant year to which this section applies, and

(b) in respect of which a pensioner is eligible for earnings factor enhancement,

the pensioner is entitled to an earnings factor credit equal to 1/52 of the QEF for that year.

This is subject to subsection (5) below.

(3) A pensioner is eligible for earnings factor enhancement in respect of a week if one or more of the following apply—

(a) he was a relevant carer in respect of that week for the purposes of section 23A above (see section 23A(3));

(b) carer's allowance was payable to him for any part of that week, or 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) severe disablement allowance was payable to him for any part of that week;

(d) long-term incapacity benefit was payable to him for any part of that week or would have been so payable but for the fact that—

(i) he did not satisfy the contribution conditions in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3, 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;

(e) he satisfies such other conditions as may be prescribed.

(4) In subsection (3)(d)(ii) above “occupational pension scheme” and “personal pension scheme” have the meanings given by subsection (6) of section 30DD above for the purposes of subsection (5) of that section.

(5) For the purposes of Condition B in section 44B(4) above a person is not entitled to an aggregate amount of earnings factor credits in respect of a year that is greater than the difference referred to in that Condition.

(6) For the purposes of this section 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.

(7) In section 44B above and this section—

(a) “the QEF” means the qualifying earnings factor, and

(b) any reference to a person being entitled to an earnings factor credit of a particular amount (or to an aggregate amount of earnings factor credits) for a year is a reference to the person being treated as having for that year an earnings factor (within the meaning of section 44(6)(za) above) of the amount in question by virtue of subsection (2) above.”

(2) Part 6 of Schedule 1 contains consequential and related amendments.

Additional pension: simplification of accrual rates E+W+S

10 Additional pension: removal of accrual band from 2010-11 E+W+S

(1) Schedule 4A to the SSCBA (additional pension) is amended as follows.

(2) In Part 2 (surplus earnings factor) in paragraph 2 (calculation of amount where there is a surplus in pensioner's earnings factor)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (4), after “2009” insert “where the tax year concerned falls before 2010-11 ”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) The appropriate table for persons attaining pensionable age on or after 6th April 2009 where the tax year concerned is 2010-11 or a subsequent tax year is as follows—

TABLE 2A

Amount of surplus		Percentage
Band 1	Not exceeding LET	40
Band 2	Exceeding LET but not exceeding AUEL	10”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (6) (interpretation) after paragraph (c) insert—

“(d) “AUEL” means the amount equal to the upper earnings limit for the tax year concerned multiplied by 52.”

(3) In Part 3 (contracted-out employment) in paragraph 5 (calculation of amount A)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (4), after “2009” insert “ where the tax year concerned falls before 2010-11 ”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) The appropriate table for persons attaining pensionable age on or after 6th April 2009 where the tax year concerned is 2010-11 or a subsequent tax year is as follows—

TABLE 4A

		Amount of surplus	Percentage
Band 1	Not exceeding LET	40
Band 2	Exceeding LET but not exceeding AUEL	10”.

(4) In paragraph 7 (calculation of amount B second case)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (4), after “2009” insert “ where the tax year concerned falls before 2010-11 ”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) The appropriate table for persons attaining pensionable age on or after 6th April 2009 where the tax year concerned is 2010-11 or a subsequent tax year is as follows—

TABLE 6A

		Amount of surplus	Percentage
Band 1	Not exceeding LET	40
Band 2	Exceeding LET but not exceeding AUEL	10”.

(5) In paragraph 8, in sub-paragraph (4) (interpretation) after paragraph (c) insert—

“(d) “AUEL” means the amount equal to the upper earnings limit for the tax year concerned multiplied by 52.”

(6) For the heading for that Schedule substitute “Additional pension: accrual rates for purposes of section 45(2)(c)”.

11 Additional pension: simplified accrual rates as from flat rate introduction year E+W+S

(1) Section 45 of the SSCBA (the additional pension in a Category A retirement pension) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2) (calculation of the weekly rate of additional pension) after paragraph (c) insert “; and

(d) in relation to the flat rate introduction year and subsequent tax years, the weekly equivalent of the amount calculated in accordance with Schedule 4B to this Act.”

(3) In subsection (3A) (tax years for which weekly rate is calculated by reference to Schedule 4A) at the end of paragraph (b) insert “ before the flat rate introduction year ”.

(4) In section 122 of the SSCBA (interpretation of Parts 1 to 6) in subsection (1) at the appropriate place insert—

““the flat rate introduction year” means such tax year as may be designated as such by order;”.

(5) In Schedule 2 to this Act—

(a) Part 1 inserts a new Schedule 4B into the SSCBA;

(b) Part 2 makes provision for up-rating the flat rate accrual amount introduced by the new Schedule 4B; and

(c) Part 3 contains consequential and related amendments.

12 Additional pension: upper accrual point E+W+S

(1) In section 22 of the SSCBA (earnings factors)—

(a) in subsection (2A) (person's earnings factors to be treated as derived only from so much of his earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit etc.) for “the upper earnings limit” substitute “ the applicable limit ”; and

(b) after that subsection insert—

“(2B) “The applicable limit” means—

(a) in relation to a tax year before the flat rate introduction year, the upper earnings limit;

(b) in relation to the flat rate introduction year or any subsequent tax year, the upper accrual point.”

(2) In section 44 of the SSCBA (Category A retirement pension)—

(a) in subsection (6) (meaning of references to earnings factors) in paragraph (za) for “the upper earnings limit” substitute “ the applicable limit ”;

(b) in subsection (7), at the end insert—

“(c) “the applicable limit” means—

(i) in relation to a tax year before the flat rate introduction year, the upper earnings limit;

(ii) in relation to the flat rate introduction year or any subsequent tax year, the upper accrual point.”

(3) In section 122 of the SSCBA (interpretation of Parts 1 to 6)—

(a) in subsection (1), at the appropriate place insert—

““the upper accrual point” is to be construed in accordance with subsections (7) and (8) below;”;

(b) after subsection (6) insert—

“(7) “The upper accrual point” is the amount that is equal to the amount of the upper earnings limit for the flat rate introduction year multiplied by 52.

This is subject to subsection (8) below.

(8) The Secretary of State may, by order made before the beginning of that year, direct that the upper accrual point is to be such other amount (whether greater or lesser than that mentioned in subsection (7) above) as is specified in the order.”

(4) Part 7 of Schedule 1 contains consequential amendments.

(5) Subsection (6) applies if it appears to the Secretary of State that (apart from that subsection) he would be required to make an order under section 148A of the Administration Act (revaluation of low earnings threshold) by virtue of which the low earnings threshold for the following tax year would be an amount not less than the upper accrual point.

(6) In that event the Secretary of State—

(a) is not required to make such an order under section 148A of the Administration Act, and

(b) instead must make an order abolishing the low earnings threshold and the upper accrual point as from the beginning of the following tax year.

(7) An order under subsection (6) may make—

(a) such consequential, incidental or supplemental provision, and

(b) such transitional, transitory or saving provision,

as the Secretary of State thinks necessary or expedient in connection with, or in consequence of, the abolition of the low earnings threshold and the upper accrual point.

(8) An order under subsection (6) may in particular amend, repeal or revoke any provision of any Act or subordinate legislation (whenever passed or made).

(9) No order may be made under subsection (6) unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(10) In this section—

• “the low earnings threshold” has the meaning given by section 44A(5) of the SSCBA;

• “the upper accrual point” has the meaning given by section 122(7) and (8) of that Act.

Increase in state pension age E+W+S

13 Increase in pensionable age for men and women E+W+S

(1) Schedule 3 amends section 126 of, and Part 1 of Schedule 4 to, the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) for the purpose of increasing the pensionable age for men and women progressively over a period of 22 years beginning with 6th April 2024.

(2) Part 8 of Schedule 1 contains consequential amendments.

(3) The amendments made by that Part of that Schedule have effect as from 6th April 2024.