Pensioners (Hansard, 21 October 1991)

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the additional purchasing power of pensioners since 1979.

§ Miss Widdecombe
The information is given in the table.
429W
¹ Estimates of average real net incomes are based upon data from the 1979 and 1988 FES's. Population estimates are based upon estimates provided by OPCS.
² Estimates are for the United Kingdom.
³ A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple in which the husband is over state pension age.
⁴ Monetary figures have been rounded to the nearest 10; Percentage change figures have been calculated on unrounded monetary figures.

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the maximum additional amount payable to a state pensioner on SERPs this year and each year to 2000; and what percentage of those pensioners his Department estimates will receive this amount in each of those years.

§ Miss Widdecombe
The information requested is given in the table. The assumptions of the annual increase in earnings and prices are consistent with those used in the Government Actuary's "Quinquennial Review: National Insurance Fund, Long Term Financial Estimates".
The number of pensioners likely to be in receipt of these maximum amounts in the future cannot be accurately estimated.

Weekly amounts of maximum¹ additional pension at award In cash terms

Tax year Amount payable

1991–92 55.90

1992–93 65.55

1993–94 75.35

1994–95 85.20

1995–96 95.75

1996–97 107.35

1997–98 119.95

1998–99 133.50

1999–2000 141.45

2000–01 148.20

¹ The figures quoted are based on a person paying 52 contributions a year at the upper earnings limit from the 1978–79 tax year.

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals currently(a) contribute towards a state earnings-related pension, (b) do not pay SERPs because they are in an occupational scheme and (c) do not pay SERPs because they are in a private pension scheme.

§ Miss Widdecombe
During 1989–90, the latest year for which provisional information is available, employed earners paid national insurance contributions as follows:

Millions

(i) At the standard not contracted out rate 11.9

(ii) At the contracted out rate because of membership of an occupational pension scheme 8.5

(iii) A mixture of both (i) and (ii) above 1.6

(iv) At the standard not contracted out rate (included in (i) and (iii)) but subsequently had a rebate of contributions paid into an appropriate personal pension 3.5

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the rise in the basic retirement pension proposed for April 1992.

§ Miss Widdecombe
I refer the hon. Member to the statement made today by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.

§ Mr. Pawsey
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the growth on average in pensioners' incomes over the past 10 years.
430W

§ Miss Widdecombe
Between 1979 and 1988, the last year for which figures are currently available, the average total net pensioner income grew in real terms by 34 per cent.

§ Mr. Pawsey
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated percentage of pensioners who own their own homes.

§ Miss Widdecombe
In 1988, 46 per cent. of pensioners owned their homes outright.

Weekly amounts of maximum¹ additional pension at award In cash terms
Tax year	Amount payable
1991–92	55.90
1992–93	65.55
1993–94	75.35
1994–95	85.20
1995–96	95.75
1996–97	107.35
1997–98	119.95
1998–99	133.50
1999–2000	141.45
2000–01	148.20
¹ The figures quoted are based on a person paying 52 contributions a year at the upper earnings limit from the 1978–79 tax year.

		Millions
(i)	At the standard not contracted out rate	11.9
(ii)	At the contracted out rate because of membership of an occupational pension scheme	8.5
(iii)	A mixture of both (i) and (ii) above	1.6
(iv)	At the standard not contracted out rate (included in (i) and (iii)) but subsequently had a rebate of contributions paid into an appropriate personal pension	3.5