§ 56. Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider a payment of additional pension to married women who when working paid insurance contributions but do not receive any additional pension; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardWe have no plans to change existing arrangements. Married women in employment who pay full rate national insurance contributions on earnings over the lower earnings limit (currently £43 a week) do contribute to the state earnings-related pension scheme and earn additional pension. Married women who have contracted out of the state earnings-related pension scheme contribute either to an occupational pension scheme or an appropriate personal pension. Those married women who continue to pay reduced rate national insurance contributions do not contribute to the state earnings-related pension scheme.