HC Deb 06 March 1986 vol 93 cc238-9W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the total numbers of people in the United Kingdom in receipt of (a) retirement pension only, (b) supplementary pension only, (c) retirement pension and supplementary pension, (d) all public sector pension schemes and (e) retirement pension and a public sector pension, for each year since 1973–74.

Great Britain
Thousands
Year Retirement pension only * Retirement

pension and

supplementary

pension‡

Supplementary pension only United Kingdom public sector pension
1973 6,291 1,645 97 NA
1974 6,470 1,601 96 NA
1975 6,744 1,499 94 2,100
1976 6,939 1,478 95 NA
1977 7,041 1,489 102 NA
1978 7,143 1,523 107 NA
1979 7,285 1,523 97 2,300
1980 7,452 1,522 101 NA
1981 7,603 1,544 95 NA
1982 7,667 1,567 82 NA
1983 7,926 1,403 85 2,900
1984 7,956 1,409 NA NA
1985 8,223 1,339 NA NA

* Includes pensioners receiving Supplementary Pension by separate order book. These range from approximately 130,000 in 1973 to 170,000 in 1983.

† Includes those resident overseas.

‡ Combined Order Book cases.

║ All bodies treated as public sector in the National Accounts. Figure includes widows.

NA —Not Available.

Sources:

RP & WB Biannual Enquiry

Supplementary Benefit annual statistical enquiry.

Occupational Pension Schemes 1979: Sixth Survey by the Government Actuary.

The great majority of public sector pensioners (excluding men between 60 and 65) will also be in receipt of a state retirement pension. No figures are available for the numbers also receiving supplementary pension.