§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on the provision of independent pensions for married women who have made full pension contributions; and what response he has made to them. [137271]
§ Mr. RookerI am not entirely clear as to what precise information my hon. Friend is seeking. Married women who have made full pension contributions receive a pension in their own right. If they have insufficient qualifying years for a full pension, the pension is reduced proportionally. If it falls below the married woman's pension rate, it can be topped up when their husband retires to a maximum of £40.40, based on their husband's contributions.