§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend the regulations relating to the date from which retirement pensions are payable to persons reaching retirement age, to ensure that such people receive their full entitlement, including any part-weeks, from the date of the relevant birthday; and if he will estimate the cost in the next financial year of such changes to the Exchequer. [116830]
§ Mr. RookerWe do not intend to amend the present regulations which provide for payment of retirement pension in whole weeks in advance.
339WThere would be no costs to the Exchequer for part weeks because it would follow that recovery of overpaid benefit would take place upon the death of the pensioner. It is because we are not prepared to countenance this recovery that we plan no change.