HC Deb 10 March 1987 vol 112 c155W
33. Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to seek to bring the over- 80s into the state retirement pension scheme.

Mr. Major

People aged over 80 are not excluded from the state retirement pension scheme. Contributory pensions are payable for life, and non-contributory pensions are payable to those people over 80 who either have no entitlement to a contributory pension or whose rate of pension is below the level of the over-80s noncontributory pension. Eligibility for this non-contributory benefit is based on a residence test. There are no plans to alter these arrangements.