HC Deb 03 July 1975 vol 894 cc535-6W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of eligible retirement pensioners do not at present claim their pension; and what is the total amount unclaimed.

Mr. Meacher

As it is not known until a claim is made whether all the conditions for entitlement to a pension are satisfied, the proportion of people who are eligible but do not claim, and the amount unclaimed, cannot be ascertained. A person approaching pension age whose record indicates that he may be entitled to a pension is, however, invited to claim one and in all but a very small number of cases he does so.