Pensioners

HC Deb 23 July 1990 vol 177 cc92-3W

Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners there are over the age of 75 years, divided into males and females; and what is(a) their average income from all sources and (b) the income distribution of such pensioners.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

It is estimated in March 1989 that there are 1.33 million male pensioners and 2.58 million female pensioners over the age of 75.

(Source: Retirement Pension statistics March 1989).

The average net income of pensioners¹ over 75 from all sources was £87.70 per week in 1987. The income distribution was as follows²

	Per cent.
Up to £50 per week	18
£50.01 to £75 per week	42
£75.01 to £100 per week	19
Over £100 per week	21

¹ All figures refer to single pensioners aged over 75 and couples where the head is over 75. Figures for males and females cannot be provided separately due to inadequate statistical sample size.

² Source: Family Expenditure Survey.