§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has collected on the number of people who are members of occupational pension schemes that include provision for early retirement on grounds of ill health; and if he will make a statement on the impact of the introduction of stakeholder pensions on that number. [111454]
§ Mr. RookerThe vast majority of occupational pension scheme members are part of schemes that include provision for early retirement on grounds of ill-health. Only around 1 per cent. of occupational pension scheme members have no such provision. This means that around 10 million people are covered by arrangements for early retirement on grounds of ill-health. We do not expect the introduction of stakeholder pensions to affect that number.
Source:The forthcoming Tenth Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes by the Government Actuary.