§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) males and (b) females on average begin to draw their retirement pension each year.
§ Mr. RossiThe numbers of new awards of national insurance retirement pensioners—contributory and non-contributory—-over the 12 months to 30 November in 1978 and 1979 were as follows:
Men Women 1978 265,000 232,000 1979 263,000 245,000 The numbers awarded in the 12 months to November 1980 are not yet available but, over the six months to 31 May 1980, the numbers were 138,000 (men) and 169,000 (women).
Widows changing from widow's benefit to retirement pension have not been included.