§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the legislation since October, 1964, which has increased the benefits to widows and retirement pensioners.
§ Mr. SwinglerThe legislation effected since 1964 which has increased the benefit to widows and retirement pensioners is listed below. The principal effects of the legislation have been to raise the standard rates of national insurance benefit twice, to remove the earnings rule for widows, to increase the earnings limit for retirement pensioners, to improve the return for deferred retirement, to double the period for which widow's allowance is payable and to introduce an earnings-related supplement to widow's allowance;
Relevant Legislation
National Insurance &c. Act, 1964.
The National Insurance (Increase of Widow's Basic Pension & Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 1965, S.I. 1965/35.
The National Insurance (Earnings) Regulations, 1967, S.I. 1967/756.
The National Insurance (Computation of Earnings) Regulations, 1967, S.I. 1967/760.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services taking October, 1964, as 100, what was the purchasing power of the retirement pension in March, 1965, March, 1966, March, 1967, March, 1968, and the latest available date.
§ Mr. SwinglerIndex of purchasing power of retirement pension October, 1964, to December 1968, starting at 100 in October, 1964,
Man or woman on own insurance Man plus wife on his insurance October, 1964 … 100 100 March, 1965 … 116 117 March, 1966 … 112 112 March, 1967 … 108 109 March, 1968 … 117 118 December, 1968 … 112 113