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Social Security Act 1986

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Social Security Act 1986 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Pensions

    1. Personal pension schemes

      1. 1. Minimum contributions to personal pension schemes.

      2. 2. Appropriate schemes.

      3. 3. Amount of minimum contributions.

      4. 4. Effect of payment of minimum contributions on rate of certain benefits.

      5. 5. Personal pension protected rights premium.

    2. Occupational pension schemes

      1. 6. Money purchase contracted-out schemes.

      2. 7. Schemes becoming contracted-out between 1986 and 1993.

      3. 8. Abolition of requirement relating to requisite benefits.

      4. 9. Guaranteed minimum pensions.

      5. 10. Short-service benefit; qualifying service.

      6. 11. Auditors.

    3. Provisions applying to personal and occupational pension schemes

      1. 12. Voluntary contributions.

      2. 13. Regulations as to form and content of advertisements.

      3. 14. Information.

      4. 15. Terms of contracts of service or schemes restricting choice to be void.

      5. 16. Actuarial tables.

      6. 17. General power to modify statutory provisions.

      7. 17A. Reciprocity with other countries.

    4. State earnings-related pension scheme

      1. 18, 19.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  3. Part II Income-Related Benefits

    1. General

      1. 20—22.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Income support

      1. 23—27.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. Housing benefit

      1. 28, 29.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 30. Housing benefit finance.

      3. 31.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  4. Part III The Social Fund

    1. 32—35.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  5. Part IV Benefits Under Social Security Act 1975

    1. 36.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. 37. Invalid care allowance for women.

    3. 38.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. 39. Industrial injuries and diseases.

    5. 40—45.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  6. Part V Maternity Pay Etc.

    1. 46—50.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  7. Part VI Common Provisions

    1. Administration

      1. 51.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 51A. Community charge benefits:administration.

      3. 51B. Administration of benefits: general.

      4. 51C.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 52. Adjudication.

      6. 53.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 54. Breach of regulations.

      8. 55.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      9. 56. Legal proceedings.

      10. 57. Offences by bodies corporate.

      11. 58.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      12. 59. Disclosure of information.

      13. 60. Regulations as to notification of deaths.

    2. Subordinate legislation

      1. 61. Consultations on subordinate legislation.

      2. 62.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. General provisions as to operation of social security

      1. 63—65.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  8. Part VII Miscellaneous, General and Supplementary

    1. Miscellaneous

      1. 66—69.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 70. Child benefit in respect of children educated otherwise than at educational establishments.

      3. 71, 72.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 73, 74.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 75. Earnings factors.

      6. 76. Amendments relating to forfeiture of benefits.

      7. 77.Refreshments for school pupils.

      8. 78. Travelling expenses.

    2. General

      1. 79. Crown employment.

      2. 80. Application of Parts I and V to special cases.

    3. Northern Ireland

      1. 81.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 82. Amendments of enactments relating to social security in Northern Ireland.

    4. Supplementary

      1. 83. Orders and regulations (general provisions).

      2. 84. General interpretation.

      3. 85. Financial provision.

      4. 86. Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.

      5. 87. Extent.

      6. 88. Commencement.

      7. 89. Transitional.

      8. 90. Citation.

  9. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      1. Interpretation

        1. 1.In this Schedule— “member” means a member of a scheme;...

      2. Requirements: general

        1. 2.The Secretary of State may prescribe descriptions of persons by...

        2. 3.A scheme must comply with such requirements as may be...

        3. 4.A scheme must comply with such requirements as may be...

        4. 5.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, all minimum contributions which...

        5. 6.A scheme must satisfy such other requirements as may be...

      3. Requirements: protected rights

        1. 7.(1) Unless the rules make provision such as is mentioned...

        2. 8.The rules shall provide for effect to be given to...

        3. 8.Rules must provide for effect to be given in a...

        4. 9.(1) Effect may be given to protected rights—

        5. 10.The Occupational Pensions Board must be satisfied that a scheme...

        6. 11.Rules must not allow, except in such circumstances as may...

      4. General

        1. 12.Nothing in this Schedule shall be taken to prejudice any...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      1. 1.The Social Security Pensions Act 1975 shall be amended as...

      2. 2.In subsection (1) of section 26 (contracting-out of full contributions...

      3. 3.In section 29 (contracted-out rates of benefit) the following subsections...

      4. 4.In section 30 (contracted-out employment)— (a) in subsection (1)(a), after...

      5. 5.In section 32 (contracted-out schemes)— (a) in subsection (2), the...

      6. 6.(1) The words “which is not a money purchase contracted-out...

      7. 7.The following section shall be inserted after section 44— Money...

      8. 8.In section 48 (guaranteed minimum pensions to be inalienable)—

      9. 9.In section 49 (supervision of schemes which have ceased to...

      10. 10.At the end of subsection (3) of section 50 (alteration...

      11. 11.In section 66(1) (interpretation)— (a) the following definition shall be...

      12. 12.In paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 (priority in bankruptcy etc.)—...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      Industrial Injuries and Diseases

      1. 1—16.. . . . . . . . . ....

      2. Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 (c. 41)

        1. 17.(1) Section 2 of the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act...

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      . . .

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      Adjudication

      1. Part I Amendment of Enactments

        1. Social Security Act 1973 (c. 38)

          1. 1.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        2. 2—20.. . . . . . . . . ....

      2. Part II Questions for Determination by the Secretary of State

        1. The questions referred to in section 52(2) above are—

    6. SCHEDULES 6, 7

      . . .

    7. SCHEDULE 8

      Earnings Factors

      1. 1—3.. . . . . . . . . ....

      2. Social Security Pensions Act 1975 (c. 60)

        1. 4.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        2. 5—7.. . . . . . . . . ....

        3. 8.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        4. 9.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        5. 10.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1977 (c. 5)

        1. 11.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    8. SCHEDULE 9

      Northern Ireland

      1. Part I . . .

      2. Part II Transfer of Functions Relating to Commissioners

        1. 2.(1) In this Part— “the Commissioners” means the Chief and...

        2. 3.(1) The following functions of the Department are hereby transferred...

        3. 4.(1) The functions of the Department of Finance and Personnel,...

        4. 5.The functions of the Secretary of State under paragraph 7(5)...

        5. 6.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        6. 7.Regulations made by the Lord Chancellor by virtue of this...

        7. 8.(1) Enactments and instruments passed or made before the coming...

      3. Part III Consequential Amendments

        1. Judicial Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 1951 (c. 20)(N.I.)

          1. 9.In section 16 of the Judicial Pensions Act (Northern Ireland)...

        2. Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975 (c. 15)

          1. 10.(1) In paragraphs 4, 6 and 7 of Schedule 10...

        3. Social Security Act 1980 (c. 30)

          1. 11, 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        4. Forfeiture (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 (S.I. 1982/1082 (N.I. 14))

          1. 13.In Article 6(2) of the Forfeiture (Northern Ireland) Order 1982...

    9. SCHEDULE 10

      Minor and Consequential Amendments

      1. Part I Pensions

        1. Social Security Act 1973 (c. 38)

          1. 1.The Social Security Act 1973 shall be amended as follows....

          2. 2.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          3. 3.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          4. 4.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          5. 5.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          6. 6.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          7. 7.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          8. 8.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          9. 9.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        2. 10.. . . . . . . . . ....

        3. Social Security Pensions Act 1975 (c. 60)

          1. 11.The Social Security Pensions Act 1975 shall be amended as...

          2. 12.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          3. 13.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          4. 14.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          5. 15.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          6. 16.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          7. 17.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          8. 18.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          9. 19.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          10. 20.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          11. 21.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          12. 22.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          13. 23.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          14. 24.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          15. 25.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          16. 26.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          17. 27.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          18. 28.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          19. 29.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          20. 30.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        4. Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (c. 44)

          1. 31.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. Part II Income-Related Benefits

        1. National Assistance Act 1948 (c. 29)

          1. 32.(1) In subsection (3) of section 22 of the National...

          2. 33.The words “, whether before or after the commencement of...

        2. Maintenance Orders Act 1950 (c. 37)

          1. 34.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 35.In section 4 of that Act (jurisdiction of English courts...

          3. 36.In section 9 of that Act— (a) the following paragraph...

          4. 37.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          5. 38.In section 12 of that Act (jurisdiction of Northern Ireland...

          6. 39.In section 16(2) of that Act (enforcement of maintenance orders)—...

        3. 40.. . . . . . . . . ....

        4. Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49)

          1. 41.(1) In section 78(2A) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act...

        5. Administration of Justice Act 1970 (c. 31)

          1. 42.In Schedule 8 to the Administration of Justice Act 1970...

        6. Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 (c. 32)

          1. 43.In Schedule 1 to the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971...

        7. Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 (c. 46)

          1. 44.(1) In section 24(1)(a) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland)...

        8. Employment and Training Act 1973 (c. 50)

          1. 45.In section 12(2)(b) of the Employment and Training Act 1973...

        9. Legal Aid Act 1974 (c. 4)

          1. 46.In each of the following provisions of the Legal Aid...

          2. 47.In paragraph 3(c) of Part I of Schedule 1 to...

        10. 48.. . . . . . . . . ....

        11. Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 30)

        12. Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978 (c. 40)

          1. 49.The words “the housing benefit scheme (whether or not modified...

        13. Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (c. 44)

          1. 50.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        14. Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5)

          1. 51.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        15. Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65)

          1. 52.(1) In section 54 of the Local Government, Planning and...

          2. 53.In section 154 of that Act (grant of rent rebates...

        16. 54.. . . . . . . . . ....

        17. Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27)

          1. 55.In paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 to the Civil Jurisdiction...

        18. Legal Aid Act 1982(c.44)

          1. 56.In section 7(8) of the Legal Aid Act 1982 (legal...

        19. Transport Act 1982 (c. 49)

          1. 57.In section 70(2)(b) of the Transport Act 1982 (payments in...

        20. Housing Act 1985 (c. 68)

          1. 58.In subsection (2)(b) of section 425 of the Housing Act...

          2. 59.In Item 4 in Part I of Schedule 14 to...

          3. 60.In paragraph 3 of Part IV of that Schedule (rate...

        21. Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 (c. 47)

          1. 61.In section 8(b) (availability of legal advice and assistance) and...

      3. Part III Benefits under Social Security Act 1975

        1. 62—66.. . . . . . . . . ....

        2. Industrial Injuries and Diseases (Old Cases) Act 1975 (c. 16)

          1. 67.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 68.(1) In section 4(8)(a) of that Act (parliamentary procedure for...

        3. 69, 70.. . . . . . . . . ....

      4. Part IV Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Sick Pay Etc.

        1. Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 (c. 10)

          1. 71.At the end of section 219A of the Income and...

        2. Social Security Act 1975 (c. 14)

          1. 72.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 73.In section 122(4) of that Act for the words “either...

        3. 74.. . . . . . . . . ....

        4. Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (c. 44)

          1. 75.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          2. 76.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        5. Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982 (c. 24)

          1. 77.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 78.The following paragraph shall be inserted before paragraph (a) of...

        6. Insolvency Act 1985 (c. 65)

          1. 79.In paragraph 3(2)(d) of Part II of Schedule 4 to...

        7. Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 66)

          1. 80.Paragraph 9(2)(d) of Schedule 3 to the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act...

        8. Wages Act 1986 (c. 48)

          1. 81.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. Part V Common Provisions

        1. Social Security Act 1973 (c. 38)

          1. 82.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        2. Social Security Act 1975 (c. 14)

          1. 83—88.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 89.In section 167(3) of that Act (parliamentary procedure) for the...

          3. 90.. . . . . . . . . ....

        3. Social Security Pensions Act 1975 (c. 60)

          1. 91, 92.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 93.In subsection (1) of section 59 of that Act (official...

          3. 94.In section 61(2) of that Act (consultation about regulations)—

          4. 95.. . . . . . . . . ....

        4. Child Benefit Act 1975 (c. 61)

          1. 96.At the end of subsection (1) of section 6 of...

          2. 97.. . . . . . . . . ....

        5. 98—100.. . . . . . . . . ....

      6. Part VI Miscellaneous

        1. Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 (c. 10)

          1. 101.In section 219 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act...

        2. Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 (c. 32)

          1. 102.In section 24(2)(c) of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971...

        3. National Insurance Act 1974 (c. 14)Social Security Act 1980 (c. 30)Social Security Act 1985 (c. 53)

          1. 103.The words “the Social Security Acts 1975 to 1986” shall...

        4. Social Security Act 1975 (c. 14)

          1. 104—107. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        5. Forfeiture Act 1982 (c. 34)

          1. 108.In section 4 of the Forfeiture Act 1982—

    10. SCHEDULE 11

      Repeals

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