§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of employees for whom employers' national insurance contributions are paid in the ranges of weekly earnings from(a) below £58, (b) £58 to £104.99, (c) £105 to £149.99, (d) £150 to £204.99, (e) £205 to £440 and (fi above £440. [29010]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe information in respect of the 1995–96 year is in the table:
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe additional revenue is estimated at £650 million in a full year.
Source: Government Actuary's Department.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances his Department or the Contributions Agency is informing people in receipt of invalidity or incapacity benefit that they have insufficient national insurance credits or contributions to entitle them to the retirement pension; for what reasons; and if he will make a statement. [29015]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotFifteen months after the end of each contribution year, the Department's national insurance recording system examines more than 59 million records 101W to identify those accounts where it appears that insufficient contributions have been recorded to make the year a qualifying one for retirement pension purposes. When this happens, a computer-produced letter is issued to the contributor.
The purpose of this letter is to keep contributors informed of their national insurance contribution record position and, in particular, to advise them of the deficiency. If they feel that their record should reflect more contributions that those recorded, it invites them to let the Contributions Agency know so that it can investigate the matter. Alternatively, it gives contributors the opportunity to pay sufficient voluntary contributions for the year to count towards their retirement pension.
Additionally, the Benefits Agency provides a retirement pension forecast service to all customers on request provided that the customer is not within six months of state retirement age.