HC Deb 26 April 1994 vol 242 c131W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the population of working age in Britain is(a) currently contributing to the state earnings-related pension scheme or (b) currently opted-out of SERFS and is earning above the national insurance minimum contributions level.

Mr. Hague

[pursuant to his reply, 20 April 1993, c. 517]: During 1991–92—the latest date for which information is available—of the population of working age in Great Britain:

  1. a. 15.4 per cent. had earnings above the National Insurance Lower Earnings Level (LEL) and paid National Insurance Contributions to count towards the State Earnings Related Scheme (SERPS);
  2. b. 34.2 per cent. had earnings above the LEL and were contracted out of SERPS (including those who are members of an Appropriate Personal Pension Scheme);
  3. c. 3.0 per cent. had earnings above the LEL and had worked in both contracted in and contracted out employments.

Source: 1 per cent. sample of the National Insurance Recording System and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys mid 1992 population estimates.

Forward to