§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what account is taken of ability to pay in the time scale for recovery of money which has been overpaid in respect of pension provision;
(2) what is the normal interval between a change occurring in an individual's benefit arrangements and the notification by the DSS to the superannuation fund providing a pension to that individual of that change;
(3) how many individuals in the calendar years 1991, 1992 and 1993 were paid more than their overall pension entitlement as a result of the failure of the DSS to notify the superannuation funds providing them with a pension of the change in benefit payments made by the DSS.
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of state pensions is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 1 July 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking (i) how many individuals in the calendar years 1991, 1992, and 1993 were paid more than their overall pension entitlement as a result of the failure of the DSS to notify the superannuation funds providing them with a pension of a change in benefit payments made by the DSS and (ii) what is the normal interval between a change occurring in an individuals benefit arrangements and the 61W notification by the DSS to the Superannuation Fund providing a pension to that individual of that change and (iii) the repayment of money overpaid in respect of pension provision.The arrangements which exist for the DSS to send notifications apply only to public service occupational pension schemes. The notifications are sent to tell the schemes that they do not need to inflation-proof the guaranteed minimum portion of the occupational pension because the DSS is doing so.When a change occurs in the rate of Widow's Benefit or State Retirement Pension payable to a public service occupational pensioner, any notification which needs to be sent to the pension scheme will be issued within one week of the change in rate having been entered onto the pensions computer.The system is designed to send the notifications automatically. We do not, therefore, have details of the number of notifications which should have been sent but were not. We are aware, however, that there have been instances of delay and recent exercises have been undertaken to identify these cases and ensure that the appropriate notifications are sent.Although late notification from DSS can cause an overpayment this would be of occupational pension and as such it would be for the scheme to decide if recovery should be effected and if so, how. This is not a matter over which the Department has any control.I hope you find this reply helpful.