I’ve found this so think I have answered my own question, regardless as to whether it is the OLD state pension or the NEW state pension it would fall under c)? Old pension is a payment made under the SSCBA and the NEW state pension is a benefit made on behalf of the GOV under the Pensions Act 2014?
State Pension entitlement is based on having paid into the National Insurance scheme for a required number of years. However, use of the word “benefit” for retirement pension (latterly known as State Pension) has always been classified in law from the time of the1946 National Insurance Act, which applied from the inception of the National Insurance scheme. No offence is intended by the use of this term.
Furthermore, the term “contributory benefit”, forms the legislative framework of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. Section 20 of that Act is entitled “Descriptions of contributory benefits”. Contributory benefits under Part II of that Act are listed, and the sixth is retirement pensions.
In addition, the introduction of the new State Pension from 6 April 2016 is also classified as a “benefit” under Section 1(1) of the Pensions Act 2014.
This word is also used to describe the advantages (benefits) provided through private pension arrangements.
Department for Work and Pensions
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