HC Deb 06 December 1993 vol 234 cc115-6W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of people(a) male and (b) female covered by SERPS; and what percentage of the work force this is in each case.

Mr. Hague

The answer is in the table.

1Number (millions) 2Percentage of work force
Total 9.7 43.7
All men 4.5 38.8
All women 5.2 49.1
1Source: 1 per cent. sample of National Insurance contributors.
2Source: Labour Force Survey—Employment Gazette. United Kingdom 1990–91 (excluding self-employed persons, Her Majesty's Forces and persons on work related government training schemes).

The figures are based on the number of people who paid class 1 contributions at the not-contracted out rate; excluding those people with appropriate personal pensions.

Mr. Bates

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many men with earnings above the lower earnings limit were not contracted out of SERPS during the latest year for which figures are available;

(2) how many women with earnings above the lower earnings limit were not contracted out of SERPs during the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Hague

In 1990–91, the numbers of(a) men, and (b) women, in the United Kingdom who paid class 1 national insurance contributions and were not contracted out of SERPS, or were not holders of an appropriate personal pension in place of SERPS, were (a) 4.54 million and (b) 5.25 million.

Source: 1 per rent. sample of National Insurance contributors.