HC Deb 24 May 1989 vol 153 c544W
Mr. Wolfson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men and women who have reached retirement age before 1 October will fall outside the scope of the abolition of the retirement pensions earnings rule.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The earnings rule only applies for the first five years after pension age (65 for a man and 60 for a woman). Individuals aged over 70 (men) and 65 (women) have always been able to earn as much as they wish, with no reduction in state retirement pension; and they will continue to be able to do so after 1 October. There are approximately 7.7 million retirement pensioners aged over 70 (men) and 65 (women) who will not be affected by the abolition of the retirement pension earnings rule.