HC Deb 19 February 1973 vol 851 cc12-4W
33. Mr. David James

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, when a civil servant's continuity of service was interrupted owing to the exigencies of the war, he will arrange for pre-war service to be aggregated with post-war service for pension purposes.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Provision was made for this end under the Superannuation (War-time Interruption of Service) Regulations 1948, which were published as Statutory Instrument 1948 No. 1879. I am satisfied that no further arrangements are either necessary or justified.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service which is to be the year of retirement under Section 8(2) of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971, Schedule 1, where a retired civil servant or other public sector servant receives further temporary and unestablished employment.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

A civil servant's pension is treated as having begun on the day following his last day of service and further pensionable service does not immediately affect this. On final retirement, reading Sections 8 and 4 together, we take either the original year or the final year, whichever is the more favourable in terms of total pension.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if the multiplier used under Schedule 1 to the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 is applied equally to all pensioners in all Departments.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Yes, the multipliers contained in Schedule 1 to the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 are applied equally to all pensions which, under Section 8(2) of the Act, are treated as having begun in the same year.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is: (a) the total amount deducted from pensions under Option A and Option B, respectively under Section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1935, (b) the total amount paid to widows under Option A and Option B, respectively, and (c) the number of pensioners and average amounts allocated under Option A and Option B, respectively.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Records are not maintained in a form from which this information can be readily obtained, and it would involve a disproportionate cost to public funds to carry out the necessary research.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service under existing Civil Service superannuation regulations, where a wife has predeceased her husbands' retirement, whether his allocation will in future cease to be deducted.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The allocation rules specifically provide that an allocation declaration shall become null and void if either the person making an allocation or the beneficiary dies before midnight on the day preceding the first day in respect of which the civil servant's pension is payable. Once effective, an allocation may not be cancelled even during re-employment following retirement.

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