§ 35. Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of average male earnings the retirement pension for a couple constituted at the last date for which statistics are available.
§ Mr. RossiIn November 1980, when the current rates of retirement pensions were introduced, the rate for a married couple represented 31.6 per cent. of the average gross earnings of men✶ or 43.8 per cent. of their average net earnings†.
✶ Estimated average gross weekly earnings relate to men—aged 21 and over—in full-time employment in all occupations in Great Britain whose pay was not affected by absence.
† Estimated average net weekly earnings are the estimated average gross weekly earnings less tax and national insurance contributions at the non-contracted-out rate.