§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his estimate of the average loss of benefit to those women who will lose some of their entitlement to state pension following the changes announced to the state pension scheme in the Gracious Speech;
(2) if he will give his estimate of the number of women who will lose some state pension entitlement following the changes to the state pension scheme announced in the Gracious Speech.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotEstimated numbers of women affected by the proposed changes to the state pension scheme range from 100,000 in 2010 to:
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- 1,900,000 in 2020
- 2,100,000 in 2030
- 1,600,000 in 2040
- 1,800,000 in 2050
Based on current rules of entitlement, it is estimated that, for those women reaching 60 in 2020, the average reduction in expected benefit would be around £50 per week—1994–95 rates—for the five years until they reach the new state pension age. This estimate takes account of reductions of expected state pension entitlement and offsetting increases from dependency increases, widow's benefit, incapacity benefit and income-related benefits.