The Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2019

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Under section 59 of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 (c.60) where the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 Act (c.), directs the sums in s.150(1)(c) are to be increased by a specified percentage, the Treasury shall provide by Order for the increase in the rates of public service pensions. The Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c.56) defines certain terms and sets out when a pension “begins” (the day after the last day of service in respect of which the pension is payable) and how the increase applies to lump sums.

The increase is the percentage by which the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has, by direction under section 151(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5), increased the additional pension entitlements accruing to employees in respect of earnings after 5th April 1978.

For pensions which began before 9th April 2018 the increase is 2.4 per cent. For pensions which began on or after 9th April 2018 the increases (following the calculation set out in article 3) are as follows—

Table

Pensions Beginning	Pensions increase
9th April 2018 to 23rd April 2018	2.40%
24th April 2018 to 23rd May 2018	2.20%
24th May 2018 to 23rd June 2018	2.00%
24th June 2018 to 23rd July 2018	1.80%
24th July 2018 to 23rd August 2018	1.60%
24th August 2018 to 23rd September 2018	1.40%
24th September 2018 to 23rd October 2018	1.20%
24th October 2018 to 23rd November 2018	1.00%
24th November 2018 to 23rd December 2018	0.80%
24th December 2018 to 23rd January 2019	0.60%
24th January 2019 to 23rd February 2019	0.40%
24th February 2019 to 23rd March 2019	0.20%

Article 4 of the Order provides for increases on certain deferred lump sums which became payable on or after 9th April 2018 and before 8th April 2019.

The Order also makes provision for the amount by reference to which any increase in the rate of an official pension is to be calculated to be reduced by the amount equal to the rate of the guaranteed minimum pension entitlement deriving from the employment which gives rise to the official pension.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.