http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/49/section/9Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 An Act to consolidate for Northern Ireland certain enactments relating to pension schemes, with corrections and minor improvements under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-05Expert Participation2026-04-06 Part III<CommentaryRef Ref="key-2ae0e236f424ffe745222d338c93f037"/> <Substitution ChangeId="key-d2958520cd7a1b7ff9b807c2b5b2c904-1581000533475" CommentaryRef="key-d2958520cd7a1b7ff9b807c2b5b2c904">Schemes that were contracted-out etc.</Substitution> and Effects on Members’ State Scheme Rights ...Chapter I <Substitution ChangeId="key-f01c0e01c3cb2d5e03204911fc8c60b0-1581000665469" CommentaryRef="key-f01c0e01c3cb2d5e03204911fc8c60b0">Schemes that were contracted-out: guaranteed minimum pensions and alteration of scheme rules etc.</Substitution> <Substitution ChangeId="key-ad9ff6748c9d0cfa90978b38cc115004-1581000908289" CommentaryRef="key-ad9ff6748c9d0cfa90978b38cc115004">Guaranteed minimum pensions</Substitution> Minimum pensions for earners.91Subject to the provisions of this Part, the scheme must—aprovide for the earner to be entitled to a pension under the scheme if he attains pensionable age; andbcontain a rule to the effect that the weekly rate of the pension will be not less than his guaranteed minimum (if any) under sections 10 to 12.1ABut a scheme may be amended so as to omit provision of the kind specified in subsection (1)(a) and (b) if the conditions specified in section 20B are satisfied.2In the case of an earner who was a married woman or widow who was liable to pay primary Class 1 contributions at a reduced rate by virtue of section 19(4) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 at a time during a relevant year when she was in contracted-out employment by reference to the scheme, subject to the provisions of this Part, the scheme must—aprovide for her to be entitled to a pension under the scheme if she attains pensionable age . . .bsatisfy such other conditions as may be prescribed. “Relevant year” has the meaning given by section 10(8). 3Subject to subsection (4), the scheme must provide for the pension to commence on the date on which the earner attains pensionable age and to continue for his life.4Subject to subsection (5), the scheme may provide for the commencement of the earner’s guaranteed minimum pension to be postponed for any period for which he continues in employment after attaining pensionable age.5The scheme must provide for the earner’s consent to be required—afor any such postponement by virtue of employment to which the scheme does not relate; andbfor any such postponement after the expiration of five years from the date on which he attains pensionable age.6Equivalent pension benefits for the purposes of the former legislation are not to be regarded as constituting any part of the earner’s guaranteed minimum pension.7The benefits referred to in subsection (6) are any to which the earner may be immediately or prospectively entitled in respect of a period of employment which—awas for him non-participating employment under that legislation; andbwas not on its termination the subject of any payment in lieu of contributions;but subsection (6) excludes only so much of those benefits as had to be provided in order that the employment should for that period be treated as non-participating.8In this section “the former legislation” means Part III of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 and the previous corresponding enactments.Pt. 3: power to modify conferred (1.6.1996 for certain purposes otherwise 6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 146(1); S.R. 1996/91, art. 2(f); S.R. 1997/192, art. 2Pt. 3: power to transfer functions conferred (1.4.1999) by 1999 c. 2, s. 23(1)(2)(6); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 21992 c. 7. Words in s. 9(2)(a) repealed (6.4.1997) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 147, 168, Sch. 3 para. 19, Sch. 5 Pt. III; S.R. 1997/192, art. 2(b)1966 c. 6 (N.I.). Words in s. 9(2) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 14(b)Words in s. 9(2) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 14(c)Words in s. 9(2) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 14(a)Words in Pt. 3 heading omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 3(b)S. 9(1A) inserted (3.3.2009 for specified purposes, 6.4.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), ss. 12(1), 21(1); S.R. 2009/75, art. 2(a)(b)S. 9 cross-heading substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 12Pt. 3 modified (24.7.2014) by The Pensions (2012 Act) (Transitional, Consequential and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/204), regs. 1(1), 6(2)Words in Pt. 3 heading substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 3(a)Pt. 3 Ch. 1 heading substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 4