HC Deb 08 December 1998 vol 322 cc174-5W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what weekly SERPS pension would be received in April 2000 by(a) a man, on retirement, who had earned average male earnings throughout his working life, (b) the widow of such a man who died after 31 March 2000 and (c) a married woman, on retirement, who had earned average female earnings throughout her working life, except for 10 years during which she received child benefit, under the SERPS rules which existed (i) when SERPS was first introduced, (ii) following the enactment of legislation basing pensions entitlement on life time earnings and related changes and (iii) following the Pensions Act 1995. [61439]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 27 November 1998]: The information is in the table.

Additional pension award at April 2000 (2000–01) financial year
£
1975 Act 1986 Act 1995 Act
Males 101.85 101.25 97.35
Widow 101.85 50.15 48.70
Female—full record 64.20 63.05 60.15
Female—10 years blank 39.40 35.10 34.50

Notes:

1. Figures are in April 2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest 5 pence.

2. The estimates assume constant average earnings for men and women.

3. 1975 Act figures include the best 20 years and the full 25 per cent accrual rate.

4. 1986 Act figures allow for lifetime earnings and 24.5 per cent. accruals post 1988. The introduction of Home Responsibilities Protection for SERFS from 1999 has not been included in the answer.

5. 1995 Act figures allow for annualization.

6. The estimates for females assume that the blank years are from 1978/79–1987/88.

Source:

The Government Actuary's Department.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be affected in each of the 20 years after 2000 by the decision to halve SERPS for widowers and widows whose spouse dies on or after 6 April 2000. [61149]

Angela Eagle

[Holding answer 27 November 1998]: The information is in the table.

Information on the average number of widows and widowers who could be affected at any one time in each year
Year Number of widows and widowers affected
2000–01 105,000
2001–02 310,000
2002–03 500,000
2003–04 675,000
2004–05 845,000
2005–06 1,000,000
2006–07 1,145,000

Information on the average number of widows and widowers who could be affected at any one time in each year
Year Number of widows and widowers affected
2007–08 1,280,000
2008–09 1,410,000
2009–10 1,530,000
2010–11 1,640,000
2011–12 1,745,000
2012–13 1,845,000
2013–14 1,940,000
2014–15 2,025,000
2015–16 2,110,000
2016–17 2,190,000
2017–18 2,265,000
2018–19 2,335,000
2019–20 2,405,000
2020–21 2,470,000

Notes:

1. It should be noted that some of these people may have no SERFS entitlement and will not be affected by the change.

2. The proposed new schemes for widows and widowers under State Pension age have not been taken into account.

3. Cases where the widower is over state pension age but the deceased partner is under State Pension age are included in the estimates.

4. Figures are for GB only.

5. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

Source:

Government Actuary's Department.