Amendments to judicial pensions regulations consultationOn 6 April 2016 the current basic state pension and state second pension will be abolished and replaced by a single tier pension. The abolition of the state second pension will also mean the end of contracting-out. The measures to implement the single tier pension and abolition of contracting-out are contained in the Pensions Act (NI) 2015.
The Department is required to make a consequential amendment to the Judicial Pensions Regulations (NI) 2015 to make provision for the protection of increases to the GMP for members of the NIJPS, and for the end of contracting-out of the NIJPS.
The draft amending regulations also include provisions to remove negligence as a basis for forfeiture or set-off of pension, and for transitional protection portability for eligible fee-paid judicial office holders, both of which have already been the subject of consultation.
This consultation seeks views on the proposed consequential amendment to the Judicial Pensions Regulations (NI) 2015.
As the proposed amendment on contracting-out is a minor technical amendment the Department is carrying out a limited targeted consultation. The consultation will run from 6 November 2015 and all responses should be submitted by 5pm on 20 November 2015. Members of the NIJPS, as well legal associations and bodies, have been pre-notified of this consultation.
The Department welcomes views of consultees relating to all aspects of this consultation.