HC Deb 17 December 1985 vol 89 cc147-8W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the amounts of flat rate earnings related pensions payable in April 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008, in the manner of, and using the same assumptions as in the reply of 5 July 1983 to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) Official Report, column 52.

£ per week
Earnings Amounts of retirement pension (including flat-rate pension of £38.30)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1988 1993 1998*
Men
¼ average 39.15 39.25 39.55 39.75 40.10 40.90 41.75
½ average 42.15 43.00 43.95 44.75 46.30 50.20 54.05
¾ average 45.15 46.70 48.40 49.80 52.55 59.45 66.35
Average 48.15 50.40 52.80 54.80 58.75 68.70 78.65
1½ average† 51.95 55.25 58.70 61.55 67.30 81.65 96.00
2 average
Women
¼ average‡
½ average 40.00 40.35 40.85 41.25 41.95 43.75 45.55
¾ average 41.95 42.75 43.70 44.50 46.00 49.80 53.60
Average 43.85 45.15 46.55 47.75 50.05 55.85 61.65
1½ average 47.70 49.90 52.25 54.25 58.15 67.95 77.80
2 average 51.50 54.65 57.90 60.65 66.20 80.00 93.85
* The figures for 1998, 2003 and 2008 are identical.
† The figures for men on 1½ and 2x average earnings are identical, because they are above the upper earnings limit.
‡ Below lower earnings limit—no pension entitlement.

Mr. Major

The following table shows the amount of flat rate and earnings-related pension a contracted-in single man or woman retiring in April of each year with a full contribution record might have received under the state scheme under existing legislation. The amount of earnings-related pension is based on actual average earnings for full-time males and females from 1978–79 to 1984–85, derived from the new earnings survey. For those retiring in 1983, 1984 and 1985, allowance has been made for upratings in November of each year. For those retiring in 1986 and later, an estimate for average earnings in 1985–86 and the upper and lower earnings limits for 1985–86 have been used for all years, expressed in constant 1985–86 earnings terms. It is assumed that earnings remain constant throughout a person's working life.

These estimates reflect actual average earnings more closely than those given in the reply of 5 July 1983, at columns 51–53, to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden).