HC Deb 17 February 1998 vol 306 cc633-6W
Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples have (i) an income not including the state pension and (ii) an income not including any state benefits of at least (1) £125 per week and (2) £150 per week. [25301]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the table.

Income of pensioner units not including the state pension
£125 and over £150 and over
Singles Number 750,000 550,000
Percentage of singles 17 12
Couples Number 1,2000,000 1,050,000
Percentage of couples 45 38

Income of pensioner units not including any state benefits
£125 and over £750 and over
Singles Number 600,00 450,000
Percentage of singles 13 11
Couples Number 1,050,000 900,000
Percentage of couples 38 33

Notes:

1. The information is based on gross unequivalised weekly income before housing costs at July 1995 prices. Reported incomes from the State pension and all benefits were subtracted to give the income distribution shown. The results are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income, and therefore are subject to mis-reporting. It is not possible to distinguish between the different elements of the State pension on the Family Expenditure Survey. Therefore, the estimate of State pension income will include basic, SERPS and the graduated pension. As the estimates are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income the estimates are subject to mis-reporting.

2. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

3. Numbers of pensioners units are rounded to the nearest 50,000 percentages to the nearest 1 per cent.

Source:

The Pensioners' Income Series 1995–96 based on the Family Expenditure Survey.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) single pensioners, (b) pensioner couples and (c) all pensioner households were dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income in the latest year for which figures are available. [25119]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the table.

Percentage of pensioner units dependent upon state benefits for at least 75 percent. of their income.
Type of pensioner unit Percentage
Single Pensioners 55
Pensioner Couples 36
All Pensioner Units 48

Notes:

1. Estimates are based upon weekly gross income and reported benefit income in July 1995 prices.

2. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA. The estimates are based upon the income and benefits of the pensioner unit, and do not include the income of any other household members.

Source:

Pensioners's Income Series 1995–96.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the median income of(a) single pensioners, (b) married pensioners and (c) all pensioners who (i) had reached state pension age within the previous five years and (ii) were aged 75 years or above in each year since 1974; and how many pensioners were in each category. [29831]

Mr. Denham

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of pensioner couples have (i) an income not including the state pension and (ii) an income not including any state benefits of at least(a) £250 per week and (b) £300 per week. [25302]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the tables.

Income of pensioner couples not including the state pension.
£250 and over £300 and over
Number 550,000 400,000
Percentage of couples 21 16

Income of pensioner couples not including any state benefits.
£250 and over £300 and over
Number 500,000 400,000
Percentage of couples 19 14

Notes:

1. The information is based on gross unequivalised weekly income before housing costs and benefit income at July 1995 prices. Reported incomes from the State pension and all benefits were subtracted from gross income to give the income distribution shown. The results are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income, and therefore are subject to misreporting.

2. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

3. Numbers of pensioner units are rounded to the nearest 50,000, percentages to the nearest 1 percent.

Source:

The Pensioners' Income Series 1995/6.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) percentage and (b) number of (i) single pensioner and (ii) pensioner couples have a total income of at least (a) £125 per week and (b) £150 per week; and what percentage of pensioner couples have a total income of at least (1) £250 per week and (2) £300 per week in the latest year for which figures are available. [24808]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the table.

Gross weekly income of pensioner units
Status £125 and over £150 and over
Singles Percentage of singles 41 27
Number 1.8 million 1.2 million
Couples Percentage of couples 91 79
Number 2.45 million 2.1 million

Gross weekly income of pensioner couples
£250 and over £300 and over
Percentage of couples 36 28

Notes:

1. The information in the table is based on gross unequivalised weekly income before housing costs at July 1995 prices.

2. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

3. Numbers of "pensioner units" are rounded to the nearest 50,000, percentages to the nearest 1 per cent.

Source:

The Pensioners' Income Series 1995–96.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the mean and (b) the median income for (i) single men aged 65 to 74 years, (ii) single men aged 75 years and over, (iii) single women aged 65 to 74 years, (iv) single women aged 75 years and over, (v) pensioner couples aged 65 to 74 years and (vi) pensioner couples aged 75 years and over for (a) 1979 in the prices for the latest year for which figures are available and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [24811]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the tables.

Mean and median weekly income of pensioner units 1979 and 1995–96
£
1979 1995–96
Type of pensioner unit Median Mean Median Mean
Single men aged 65–74 86.40 114.60 129.10 174.00
Single men aged 75 and over 76.20 93.60 117.10 155.80
Single women aged 65–74 74.30 84.60 114.50 134.00
Single women aged 75 and over 73.70 81.90 112.20 142.90
Couples head aged 65–74 140.00 186.10 222.20 298.10
Couples head aged 75+ 114.80 146.10 179.00 235.50

Notes:

1. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

2. The averages are based on gross weekly income before housing costs. All amounts are £ per week in July 1995 prices, and are rounded to the nearest 10 pence.

Source:

The Pensioners' Income Series 1995–96.