§ 12. Commander Courtneyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the present percentage of men who opt to stay on at work after the age of 65 years in order to earn a higher pension; and to what extent this percentage is tending to increase or decrease.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIt is estimated that something like 57 per cent. of the men reaching age 65 in the twelve months ending in June, 1958, postponed their retirement, compared with about 60 per cent. in each of the four previous years. Figures for the year ending in June, 1959, show a rather lower proportion working beyond age 65—about 53 per cent.—but are not comparable with those for the earlier years because, from July, 1958, men who were first brought into insurance when the National Insurance scheme began, and who were mainly self-employed and non-employed, became entitled to pensions under the general conditions instead of under the special provisions for late age entrants.
§ Commander CourtneyDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that it is as desirable to take measures to increase this figure as it is to encourage part-time workers by adjusting the earnings limit?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs my hon. and gallant Friend will remember, as recently as August this year we both increased the amount of increments which could be earned by remaining at work and reduced the number of weeks over which it is necessary to work to earn an incre- 10 ment. That came into effect in August this year, but it has not had time to be reflected in figures, which run only to June of this year.