HC Deb 14 April 1978 vol 947 cc564-5W
Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of married women over the age of 60 years who are not in receipt of retirement pension because their husbands have not reached pensionable age; and what proportion this represents of the total number of married women between the ages of 60 and 65 years.

Mr. Orme

The total number of married women over age 60 not at present receiving a retirement pension because their husbands are under pensionable age, but who may expect to receive a pension on their husband's contributions after he reaches pensionable age, is estimated to be around 750,000, of whom perhaps 600,000 are under 65. The latter figure represents some 55 to 60 per cent. of the total of married women between the ages of 60 and 65.