§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average amount of SERPS paid to widows at present; and what is the expected average payment to a widow whose husband dies(a) on 5 April 2000 and (b) on 6 April 2000. [58262]
§ Angela EagleThe average amount of SERPS paid to widows under pension age at 31 March 1998 was £15.30.
554WThe estimated average payment to a widow whose husband dies on 5 April 2000 is £33. For a widow whose husband dies on 6 April 2000, the average is £12. This is because of changes in the calculation of SERPS introduced by the Social Security Act 1986, including the 50 per cent. reduction in entitlement for widows.
Notes:
1. Figures for March 1998 are based on net additional pension for all widows' benefit recipients and are for Great Britain and overseas.
2. Estimates for April 2000 averages are over the total number of widows in the population and are rounded to the nearest pound.
Sources:
1. A 5 per cent. sample of the Pensions Strategy Computer System.
2. April 2000 estimates: Government Actuary's Department.
§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures have been taken to publicise the halving of SERPS for widowers and widows whose spouse dies on or after 6 April 2000; and when his Department's(a) leaflets and (b) other literature first referred to this change. [58263]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Department arranged publicity about the Pensions Act 1995 with an advertising and direct mailing campaign in the Autumn of that year.
Information on the halving of the Additional Pension from the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) featured in leaflet PEC3, "The 1995 Pensions Act", which was part of this campaign and available to the public until August 1997.
The Benefits Agency supported this campaign in Spring 1996 by issuing leaflet EQP 201, "Changes To Your Future", to answer simple inquiries about changes arising from the Pensions Act 1995. More detailed information featured in leaflets NP46, "A Guide To Retirement", and NP45, "A Guide To Widows' Benefit", from Spring 1996 and remains there to date. Where appropriate, other more general publicity and information on pensions and widows' benefit also refers customers to these more detailed leaflets.
The Benefits Agency leaflets always advise customers to check with their local Social Security office if they require more detail or up-to-date information about individual cases.