The Pensions (2012 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into operation certain provisions of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (“the 2012 Act”) on 7th June 2012.

Article 2(1) of the Order brings fully into operation the following sections of the 2012 Act which relate to automatic enrolment into a workplace pension—

• section 10 which makes provision for rounding figures for the purposes of the earnings trigger and the qualifying earnings band;

• section 13 which relates to the certification provisions; and

• section 14 which relates to the certification provisions in respect of non-UK schemes.

Article 2(2) of the Order brings the following provisions of the 2012 Act into operation—

• section 2 which places a duty on the Department for Social Development to report on the impact of socio-economic background (including health indicators) in relation to retirement pension;

• section 3 and Schedule 2 (in part) which relate to the abolition of certain additions to the state pension;

• section 9 which relates to automatic enrolment into a workplace pension scheme;

• sections 20 and 21 which relate to annual increases to be made by certain occupational pension schemes;

• section 22 and Schedule 4 (in part) which relate to the Pension Protection Fund;

• section 24 which relates to contribution notices and financial support directions issued by the Pensions Regulator;

• section 32 which relates to grants made to advisory bodies; and

• section 33(2) which relates to the requirement to provide records to the Pensions Regulator.