§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-service personnel who are entitled to a preserved pension are not claiming that to which they are entitled. [146957]
§ Mr. CaplinThe total number of pensions currently in payment under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme is in the region of 342,000 (this includes pensions in payment 681W to former Service personnel, their spouses and dependants). As at 30 November 2003, 504 ex-service personnel across the three Services have not claimed a preserved pension award to which they were entitled at age 60.