HC Deb 20 February 1996 vol 272 c126W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women he estimates will have their pension payments reduced as a result of the miscalculation of their entitlement to their deceased husband's private and state earnings-related pension; what estimate he has made of the overpayment to date; and if he will make a statement. [14754]

Mr. Heald

It is estimated that around 12,000 widows will have their benefits reduced. The total overpayment is estimated at £7.5 million. The exact figures will be known only when the examination of all cases is completed at the end of March.

We will not be seeking to recover the overpayment.

Note:

The estimates are derived from a 1 per cent. sample of the national insurance recording system database.