§ Mr. Fosterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public sector pension scheme beneficiaries enjoy a pension in excess of their final salary when the state pension is taken into account.
§ Mr. HayhoeThere are no centralised records to show whether any cases of this kind have arisen.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public sector pension schemes do not take account of the basic state pension; and how many beneficiaries are involved in such schemes.
§ Mr. HayhoePublic service pension scheme benefits and contributions do not take account of the basic state pension except to the extent that they are subject to reduction on account of the original flat-rate national insurance benefit of £1.30—£1. 6s 0d—a week. That reduction is tapered according to length of reckonable service but does not apply to those in service before 1 March 1948 nor to service from 1 April 1980. The numbers of members and pensioners in public service schemes were included in the written answer I gave on 19 October 1982—[Vol. 29, c.84–89]. Details of the position in the nationalised industries is not collected centrally since the schemes are not subject to ministerial control.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what categories of earners in the public sector are expected to enjoy a pension in excess of their final salary when the basic state pension is taken into account; and if there is any estimate of the numbers involved.
§ Mr. HayhoeIn the public services an excess could arise only where the flat rate national insurance benefit 105W was paid on top of a full career half-pay pension to someone whose pay at retirement was less than £65.70 a week. While some staff in local government and the NHS earn less than this, those with long service would generally be on higher rates of pay, but central records are not kept.