§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the percentage increases in service pensions for each of the years from 1975 to 1991; and on what date they were applied in each year.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonPercentage increases applicable to retired pay and pensions awarded under the terms of the armed forces pension scheme were, in the period 1975 to 1991, as follows:
Year Increase per cent. Effective Date per cent. 1975 26.10 1 December 1975 1976 13.80 1 December 1976 1977 17.70 1 December 1977 1978 74.0 1 December 1978 1979 16.00 12 November 1979 1980 16.50 24 November 1980 1981 9.06 23 November 1981 1982 11.00 22 November 1982 1983 3.70 21 November 1983 1984 5.10 26 November 1984 1985 7.00 25 November 1985 1986 1.10 28 July 1986 1987 2.10 6 April 1987 1988 4.20 11 April 1988 1989 5.90 10 April 1989 1990 7.60 9 April 1990 1991 10.90 8 April 1991 The first increase following the award of retired pay or pension would generally have been smaller than that shown, depending on the date of the award relative to the effective date of the next increase. In individual cases the first increase could also have been applicable from a different date than the effective date shown. All increases after the first would be at the full rate and have the effective date shown.
424WWhere retirement occurs earlier than age 55, increases in retired pay or pension awarded on account of long service are accumulated and brought into payment from the 55th birthday.