The benefit provided is a pension paid from the ex-partner's normal pension age (NPA). NPA is defined as an ex-partner's State Pension age (or 65, if that is higher) in the career average section. For the purpose of this guidance, an ex-partner's expected NPA in the career average section is the same as their State Pension age as set out in the Northern Ireland Valuation Directions.
The benefits are paid immediately if the ex-partner is already above their NPA.
The ex-partner's share of the CETV should be calculated.
The pension amount is the share of CETV divided by the relevant pension factor for an ex-partner aged x (FxP):
Pension amount = Share of CETV / FxP
The relevant factors set out in Factor Tables are as follows:
- Table 423: Factors for male ex-partners, NPA 65
- Table 433: Factors for female ex-partners, NPA 65
- Table 443: Factors for male ex-partners, NPA 66
- Table 453: Factors for female ex-partners, NPA 66
- Table 463: Factors for male ex-partners, NPA 67
- Table 473: Factors for female ex-partners, NPA 67
- Table 483: Factors for male ex-partners, NPA 68
- Table 493: Factors for female ex-partners, NPA 68
Factors should be selected with reference to the sex and age of the ex-partner (not the member) at calculation date, and NPA at valuation day. The factors used to calculate the benefits for the ex-partner should be consistent with the factors used to calculate the CETV. If there is any doubt over which factors should be used, please contact GAD.
Where a pension credit member has a normal pension age (NPA) that is a whole number of years and months, the factors should be determined using the appropriate factors in the Factor Tables using straight line interpolation based on months. For example, to determine the factors applicable to a pension credit member with a normal pension age of 66 years and 2 months, the formula below should be used:
FP(NPA 66 years, 2 months) = FP(NPA66) + {(2 / 12) x [FP (NPA67) - FP (NPA66)]}
Where:
FP (NPAxx) is the factor applying for a normal pension age of xx.
Some pension credit members will have a State Pension age that falls on a specified date. This may mean that their normal pension age (NPA) is based on years and days rather than years and whole months. In this case, the factors should be determined using the appropriate factors in the Factor Tables using straight line interpolation based on days. For example, to determine the factors applicable to a pension credit member with a normal pension age of 67 years and 249 days, the formula below should be used:
FP(NPA 67 years, 249 days) = FP(NPA67) + {(249/365) x [FP(NPA68) - FP(NPA67)]}
Where:
FP (NPAxx) is the factor applying for a normal pension age of xx.
