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(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Pensions (Upper Accrual Point: Prescribed Equivalent) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and shall come into operation on 6th April 2009.
(2) In these Regulations “earnings period” has the meaning it has in regulation 1(2) of the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001.
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(1) The prescribed equivalent of the upper accrual point for the purposes of—
(a) section 22 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (earnings factors); and
(b) sections 37(1), 38A(1) and 41(1) of the Pensions Act (reduced rates of contributions, rebates and amount of minimum contributions),
shall be determined in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the prescribed equivalent of the upper accrual point shall be—
(a) where the earnings period is a multiple of a week, the amount calculated by multiplying the upper accrual point by the corresponding multiple;
(b) where the earnings period is a month, the amount calculated by multiplying the upper accrual point by 4⅓;
(c) where the earnings period is a multiple of a month, the amount calculated by multiplying the upper accrual point by 4⅓ and multiplying the result by the corresponding multiple;
(d) in any other case, the amount calculated by dividing the upper accrual point by 7 and multiplying the result by the number of days in the earnings period concerned.
(3) The amount determined in accordance with paragraph (2)(b) and (c) if not whole pounds, shall be rounded up to the next whole pound.
(4) The amount determined in accordance with paragraph (2)(d) shall be calculated to the nearest penny, and any amount of a halfpenny or less shall be disregarded.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on 16th March 2009
(L.S.)John O’Neill
A senior officer of the Department for Social Development
