HC Deb 17 April 1989 vol 151 c56W
17. Mr. Roger King

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is being done to encourage older people to carry on working.

Mr. Scott

From 1 October the pensioners' earnings rule is to be abolished so that pensioners will receive automatically their full state retirement pension, to which they are entitled, regardless of their earnings. This will increase choice and flexibility for people over pension age who wish to work.

25. Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the pensioners' earnings rule will be abolished.

Mr. Scott

From 1 October 1989.

34. Mr. French

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is being done to give more choice and flexibility for older people who want to carry on working.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Older people who wish to carry on working will have more choice and flexibility from 1 October 1989 when the earnings rule for pensioners is to be abolished. Pensioners will be able to go on working without having their state pension reduced and will no longer be barred from receiving a full pension if they work more than 12 hours a week. It will still be possible for people to defer drawing their pension for up to five years after pension age, thus increasing their entitlement by about 7.5 per cent. for each year of deferment.

45. Mr. Cran

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are currently estimated to be earning in excess of £75 per week and are subject to pension reduction or abatement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Approximately 2,500 individuals currently have their pensions reduced as a result of the pensioners' earnings rule, which is to be abolished from 1 October 1989.

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