Citation and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2004 and shall come into force on 6th April 2004.

Increase of guaranteed minimum pensions

2.  For the purposes of section 109(2) and (3) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993(2) the percentage by which there is to be an increase in the rate of that part of any guaranteed minimum pension which is attributable to earnings factors for the tax years in the relevant period(3) shall be 2.8 per cent.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Minister of State,

Department for Work and Pensions

2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, a draft of which has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament, is made in consequence of a review under section 109(1) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993. It specifies 2.8 per cent. as the percentage by which that part of any guaranteed minimum pension attributable to earnings factors for the tax years 1988-89 to 1996-97 and payable by contracted-out, defined benefit occupational pension schemes is to be increased. Under section 109(3) of that Act the percentage to be specified is the actual percentage increase in the general level of prices in the period under review or 3 per cent., whichever is less.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.

(2)

Section 109(2) was amended by section 55(a) of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26).

(3)

See section 109(3A) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, which was inserted by section 55(b) of the Pensions Act 1995.