Statutory Instruments
2005 No. 521
PENSIONS
The Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2005
Made 8th March 2005
Coming into force 6th April 2005

Whereas the Secretary of State has reviewed the general level of prices obtaining in Great Britain for the period of 12 months commencing on 1st October 2003;
And whereas it appears to him that the general level of prices was greater by 3.1 per cent. at the end of that period than it was at the beginning of that period;
And whereas a draft of the following Order was laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House;
Now, therefore, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in exercise of the power conferred upon him by section 109(4) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, makes the following Order:
1993 c. 48 (“the 1993 Act”).

Citation and commencement
1. This Order may be cited as the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2005 and shall come into force on 6th April 2005.

Increase of guaranteed minimum pensions
2. For the purposes of section 109(2) and (3) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 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 shall be 3 per cent.
Section 109(2) was amended by section 55(a) of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26) (“the 1995 Act”).
See section 109(3A) of the 1993 Act, which was inserted by section 55(b) of the 1995 Act.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Malcolm Wicks
Minister of State,
Department for Work and Pensions
8th March 2005

(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 3 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.