HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 cc483-4W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which versions of the state second pension, and what assumptions about the dates of take-up, underlie the table on page 105 of the White Paper, Partnership in Pensions (Cm 4179); [76110]

(2) which versions of the state second pension, taken up at what dates, underlie Chart 5 on page 41 of the White Paper, Partnership in Pensions (Cm 4179). [76136]

Mr. Timms

Both Chart 5 on page 41 and the examples given in the table on page 105 of the Green Paper "A new contract for welfare: Partnership in Pensions" are based on the first stage of the proposed State Second Pension. An implementation date of April 2002 was assumed.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what variation there will be between men and women as regards the benefits of the current SERPS and proposed state second pension system set out in the table on page 105 of the White Paper, Partnership in Pensions (Cm 4179). [76109]

Mr. Timms

The examples of pension provision shown on page 105 of the Green Paper "A new contract for welfare: Partnership in Pensions" apply equally to men and women.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the qualifying conditions in terms of income and other factors for availability of the state second pension(a) to 2002, (b) from 2002 to 2007 and (c) after 2007. [76748]

Mr. Timms

No one will qualify for the State Second Pension prior to April 2002, as this is the proposed implementation date. The qualifying conditions for the first stage of the State Second Pension are set out in Chapter 6 of the Green Paper "A new contract for welfare: Partnership in Pensions". The introduction of the second stage of the State Second Pension is dependent on stakeholder pensions becoming established as low-cost, value-for money, funded second pensions. It is expected that, once the second stage is implemented, the qualifying conditions will remain the same.

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