§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will estimate the number of retirement pensions payable in 1988–89 to male and female persons aged 75 years or over and to those aged 80 years and over; and how many of the latter are expected to qualify for an increased level of income support on account of their age.
§ Mr. ScottIt is estimated that about 1.3 million men and 2.5 million women over 75 will be receiving retirement pension in 1988–89. Of these, about 580,000 men and 1.4 million women recipients will be over 80. The figures include recipients of non-contributory retirement pension, and relate to individuals.
It is also estimated that there will be about 490,000 recipients of income support with the over–80 pensioner premium in 1988–89. The figures relate to claimants and may represent either single people or couples.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of pensioners male and female, currently receive less than the basic state retirement pension on account of incomplete contributions; and what percentage receive an uplifted pension at or exceeding 125 per cent, of the basic on account of additional, graduated or earnings-related contributions.
§ Mr. ScottAs at September 1986, 3.7 per cent, of men received less than the standard rate of retirement pension because of incomplete contributions. 11.2 per cent, of women received less than the appropriate standard rate of pension because of defects in their own or their husband's contribution record. I regret that the other information requested is not held in that form, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.