§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the period of time which now normally elapses in issuing entitlement to retirement pension after notification of intention to retire by the client.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWhere a person intends to retire at pension age, there is normally no delay in putting pension into payment by the date of retirement. A person who retires after pension age is normally paid pension at an interim rate as soon as he retires and the calculation of the extra pension earned by deferred retirement does not usually take more than a few weeks.
However, I regret, that as part of the Civil Service trade unions' campaign of industrial action, the contribution computer at the Department's Newcastle central office is inoperative. Whilst people currently reaching pension age and retiring are generally receiving their pensions at the proper time, in the case of those who have deferred their retirement beyond pension age it is not possible to calculate the extra pension due to them. The current arrangements provide for them to continue to receive interim payments of pension until their full entitlement can be calculated and paid together with arrears due to them.
I greatly regret that the industrial action within my Department is having this effect. We are, of course, keeping the position under review from day to day and will take whatever action is practicable to protect the position of pensioners and other beneficiaries.