§ 86. Mr. Alportasked the Minister of National Insurance why a period of grace is not allowed under the National Insurance Act, 1946, between the date on which an applicant retires from employment and the date on which an application for a retirement pension must be made.
Mr. B. TaylorThe normal practice is for notice of intention to retire to be given well in advance of the actual date. Where this is done no question of a period of grace arises. In other cases it is essential to establish the date of retirement without delay because retirement changes an insured person's status under the scheme in relation to both contributions and benefits. My right hon. Friend has, however, asked the National Insurance Advisory Committee to examine the retirement notice requirement along with other time limits for claiming and receiving National Insurance benefits.