(1)In this Act “pension authority” means the authority by whom the pension is payable; but the Ministry or, with its approval, any other department of the Government of Northern Ireland may by regulations provide that, in relation to any class of pensions specified in the regulations, all or any of the functions of the pension authority under this Act shall be performed on behalf of the pension authority by such other authority as may be so specified.
(2 )F2Where a pension specified in Part II of Schedule 2 is increased under this Act the cost of the increase shall be defrayed by the pension authority out of the rate or fund chargeable with the payment of the pension.
(3 )F2Subject to the provisions of this Act, any provision made by or under any enactment shall, in so far as it relates to the apportionment of the cost of a pension between two or more authorities or funds, or to the manner in which a pension is to be paid or borne, or to the proof of title to sums payable on account of a pension, or in so far as it prohibits or restricts the assignment or charging of a pension or its application towards the payment of debts, have effect in relation to any increase of the pension under this Act as it has effect in relation to the pension; so however that this subsection, in so far as it relates to the apportionment of the cost of an increase under this Act, shall have effect subject to any agreement between the authorities concerned.
(4)Except as provided by subsection (3), an increase of a pension under this Act shall not be treated as part of the pension for the purposes of any provision made by or under any enactment; and in calculating the rate of a derivative pension, any increase under this Act of the principal pension shall be disregarded.