§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and how many women earned extra retirement pension by deferring retirement to 70 and 65 years respectively during 1983–84 and 1984–85; and what was the average size of the increased weekly basic pension.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 1 July 1985, c. 66]: Information for 1984–85 is not yet available. Information for 1983–84 is as follows:
239W
Number Average rate of increased basic pension £ Men who deferred retirement to age 70 7,660 45.76 Women who deferred retirement to age 65 2,270 44.71 Married women aged 65 whose husbands deferred their retirement to age 70 2,380 24.77 These rates are at November 1983 benefit levels (basic retirement pension in November 1983 was £34.05, £20.45 for a married woman on her husband's insurance).