The Department of Social Care is aware that there have been some enquiries from members of the public in relation to the recent UK Government announcement of its proposals, as part of a draft bill, to reform the state pension by replacing the basic state pension, the state additional pension and certain other state pension payments with a new single-tier pension.
 
The proposals will introduce a single tier pension of no less than ?142.70 per week (at today’s values) and people would be paid a full pension if they have paid or been credited with National Insurance contributions for at least 35 years. The pension will continue to be uprated each year in the same way as the basic state pension is currently. This will only affect people reaching state pension age on or after 6th April 2017.
 
If the Isle of Man maintains its current reciprocal agreement, it would need to introduce the single tier pension at the same time as the UK.
 
Commenting on the issue Minister for Social Care, Chris Robertshaw MHK said

“The Isle of Man is just about to commence a welfare reform project which, among other things, will consider whether maintaining the current reciprocal agreement with the UK would be the most beneficial form of agreement for the Island in the future. The outcome of this review will determine whether we will have to follow the UK and introduce the single tier pension.”
 
The Minister added:

“I think it is important that the public are kept up to date with any changes and my Department will ensure we continue to provide timely updates on this issue.”
 
Further information can be found at: www.gov.im/socialcare/security/pensions.xml.

Or by contacting the Social Security Division of the Department of Social Care by phoning 685176, emailing pensions.dsc@gov.im or visiting 1st Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas.