HC Deb 03 July 1989 vol 156 c38W
17. Mr. Knapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many European Community countries pay flat-rate retirement pensions.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Within the European Community, only the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland pay flat-rate retirement pensions. So far as the United Kingdom is concerned, that means that all pensioners are provided with a secure foundation for retirement. In countries that rely on earnings-related schemes low earners receive low pensions and very low earners have very low pensions.