Citation, commencement and interpretation

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2004 and shall come into force on 17th May 2004.

(2) In these Regulations “the principal Regulations” means the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001( 3 ).

Amendment of the principal Regulations

2. The principal Regulations shall be amended as follows.

3. In regulation 48(3)(b) for “regulation 50” substitute “regulations 50 and 50A”.

4. After regulation 50 insert—

“ Class 3 contributions: tax years 1996-97 to 2001-02

50A. —(1) This regulation applies to Class 3 contributions payable in respect of the tax years 1996-97 to 2001-02 (“the relevant years”).

(2) If a person (“the contributor”)—

(a) was entitled to pay a Class 3 contribution in respect of any of the relevant years under regulation 48, 146(2)(b) or 147;

(b) had not, before the coming into force of these Regulations, paid that contribution; and

(c) had not, before 1st November 2003, received notice—

(i) in the case of a contributor in Great Britain, from the Department for Work and Pensions, the former Department of Social Security or the Board, or

(ii) in the case of a contributor in Northern Ireland, from the Department for Social Development, the former Department for Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland ( 4 ) or the Board,

that he was entitled to pay a Class 3 contribution for that relevant year ( 5 ) ;

he may pay the contribution within the period specified in paragraph (3).

(3) The period within which the contribution may be paid is the period beginning with the coming into force of these Regulations and ending—

(a) in the case of a contributor who has reached or will reach pensionable age before 24th October 2004, on 5th April 2010; and

(b) in the case of a contributor who will reach pensionable age on or after 24th October 2004, on 5th April 2009.

(4) Nothing in this regulation limits the application of regulation 50. ” .

5. After regulation 65 (Class 2 and class 3 contributions paid late through ignorance or error) insert—

“ Amount of Class 3 contributions payable by virtue of regulation 50A

65A. The amount of a contribution payable by virtue of regulation 50A during the period mentioned in paragraph (3) of that regulation shall, notwithstanding section 13(6) of the Act, be calculated by reference to the weekly rate which would have been applicable if it had been paid during the contribution year to which it relates. ” .