§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how long the extra pension entitlement of a single person opting to remain employed until 70 years of age before drawing a pension has been £2.61 per week; and whether she will consider raising the extra benefit in line with the extra saving accruing to the nation as a result of undrawn pensions at the current rates prior to the individuals concerned reach the age of 70 years.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe amount of £2.61 referred to is the maximum amount of extra flat-rate retirement pension which a married man—not a single person—could earn for himself and his wife under the current provisions by deferring his retirement until age 70. This rate of increase has applied since 20th September 1971. From 6th April 1975 the rate of increments will be increased so that such a man reaching pension age after that date will be able to earn a maximum increase of £4.89 in terms of current—July 1974—pension rates.