HC Deb 25 March 1993 vol 221 cc679-80W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the Chelmsford consituency have a private pension or state earnings-related pension (i) in total, (ii) of up to £5 per week, (iii) of £6 to £10 per week, (iv) of £11 to £15 per week, (v) of £16 to £20 per week and (vi) in excess of £21 per week.

Miss Widdecombe

The information is not available in the form requested. Information relating to the numbers in receipt of private pensions in the Chelmsford constituency is not available. Information relating to the numbers in receipt of SERPS in the Chelmsford contsituency could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information regarding those in receipt of SERPS in Great Britain is given in the tables (a) and (b).

Table (a) by net amount of SERPS (after contracted out deduction) at 31 March 1992
Weekly amount (£) Number
0.01 to 4.99 1,932,990
5.00 to 9.99 819,460
10.00 to 14.99 307,360
15.00 to 19.99 153,680
20.00 + 214,830
All 3,428,320

Table (b) by notional gross amount of SERPS (before contracted out deduction) at 31 March 1992
Weekly amount (£) Number
0.01 to 4.99 1,199,540
5.00 to 9.99 695,530
10.00 to 14.99 494,260
15.00 to 19.99 351,140
20.00+ 703,420
All 3,443,890

It is not possible to give estimates regarding receipt of "private pension". Table (c) gives estimates for receipt of occupational pension based on the 1989 family expenditure survey.

Table (c) receipt of occupational pension by individuals in pensioner units
Weekly amount (£) Number(000's)
0.01 to 4.99 400
5.00 to 9.99 600
10.00 to 14.99 500
15.00 to 19.99 400
20.00 + 2,400
All 4,300

Notes:

1. "Contracted-out deduction" is the amount by which additional pension is reduced where a person has been a member of pension scheme which is contracted-out of SERPS or a personal pension scheme used in place of additional pension.

2. A pensioner unit is a single person aged over state pensionable age (SPA) or a couple where the husband is aged over SPA.

3. It is not possible to draw a correlation between the information regarding SERPS at Tables (a) and (b) and the estimates on receipt of occupational pensions at Table (c).

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for how many pensioners in(a) the Chelmsford constituency and (b) the United Kingdom their only source of income is the state retirement pensions;

(2) how many pensioners there are living in (a) the Chelmsford parliamentary constituency and (b) the United Kingdom.

Miss Widdecombe

The information is not available in the form requested. Information relating to the Chelmsford constituency is not available.

It is estimated that, in 1989, there were 7 million pensioner units in the UK of which 1 million had no income other than from state benefits. Income support is available to pensioners whose only source of income is basic state retirement pension at either the single or married couple rate and who do not have savings or capital in excess of £3,000. Notes:

  1. 1. A pensioner unit is a single person aged over state pensionable age (SPA) or a couple where the husband is aged over SPA.
  2. 2. State benefit is any social security benefit or pension (including housing benefit) payable by the State.
  3. 3. Estimates are based on the 1989 Family Expenditure Survey.