§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average period of service which a civil servant has to serve to obtain a pension, assuming that he entered the service at the minimum age; what age would such a man be when he retired; and what is the average pension he would obtain?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCESubject to a minimum service of 10 years, a civil servant is eligible under the Superannuation Act, for pension either
- (a) on attainment of the age of 60, or
- (b) on permanent incapacity through ill-health.
He cannot normally be retained in the Service after the age of 65. The ages of recruitment vary for different classes and still more for individuals specially selected for establishment, while pension is a fixed proportion of the retiring salary for each year served up to a maximum of 40. The form of the hon. Member's inquiry is thus inappropriate to the statutory Civil Service Superannuation system. I may state, however, that the average value of the Civil Service pensions at present in course of payment is about £125 per annum. This does not include the annuity value of lump sums payable on death or retirement.