The Occupational Pension Schemes (Power to Amend Schemes to Reflect Abolition of Contracting-out) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Introduction of the new State Pension will abolish the additional pension for those reaching pensionable age after the start date on 6th April 2016.  The Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 therefore includes provision for the ending of the option for sponsoring employers of salary related occupational pension schemes to contract their employees out of the additional pension.  Under contracting-out, both employer and employee paid reduced rate National Insurance contributions.  The Act includes provision to enable employers to amend their pension schemes to take account of the increase in employers’ contributions.

This Regulatory Impact Assessment relates to private sector employers that sponsor salary related occupational pension schemes.  Those employers are able, subject to certain restrictions, to amend their scheme rules to reflect the abolition of contracting-out when the new State Pension is introduced in April 2016.