§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people of pensionable age fail to qualify for a full pension in their own right. [1844]
§ Mr. HealdInformation on the number of people who have no entitlement to retirement pension is not immediately available. I will let the hon. Member have such information as becomes available as soon as possible.
The available information is in the table.
Retirement Pension in payment in Great Britain at 30 September 1994 to men over 65 and women over 60 Category All rates less than full rate Cat A men 3,321,170 179,370 Cat A women 2,395,760 692,890 Cat BL wives 1,279,970 49,030 Cat ABL wives 682,490 2,890 Cat B widows 1,779,040 62,790 Note:
Cat A—pension derived from own contributions.
Cat BL—pension derived from spouse's contributions. Full rate is about 60 per cent. Cat A rate.
Cat ABL—pension derived from both own and spouse's contributions. Full rate is about 60 per cent. of Cat A rate.
Cat B—pension derived from late spouse's contributions. Full rate same as Cat A rate.
Source:
Retirement Pension Biannual enquiry September 1994.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost to his Department of paying retirement pension to people(a) who die before their next pay day and (b) whose benefit was due to be reduced for a hospital stay. [1749]
§ Mr. HealdRetirement pension is payable for complete weeks only. There is, therefore, no cost if people die before their next pay day and their benefit was due to be reduced as a result of a stay in hospital.