HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 cc578-9W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals contribute to(a) defined benefit occupational pension schemes, (b) defined contribution occupational pension schemes, (c) group personal pension schemes, (d) additional voluntary contributions and (e) free-standing additional voluntary contributions. [1141]

Mr. McCartney

[pursuant to his reply, 5 July 2001, c. 304]: I have been asked to reply.

The latest information available is in the table:

Million
Type of pension provision Number of active members
Defined benefit schemes 8.8
Defined contribution schemes 1.1
`Hybrid' schemes (mixed defined benefit/defined contribution) 0.3
Group Personal Pensions 1.4
Additional Voluntary Contributions 0.9
Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contributions 1.1

Notes:

1. Active members are those currently accruing pension rights.

2. The information on occupational pension schemes is drawn from the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes (1995). The number of members will include those whose scheme does not currently require member contributions. It is estimated that the number of members contributing are 8.2 million for defined benefit and 0.8 million for defined contribution schemes.

3. The information on Group Personal Pensions is drawn from the New Earnings Survey (2000).

4. The information for Additional Voluntary Contributions covers private sector schemes only.

5. The information on Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contributions is drawn from Inland Revenue Statistics (2000). Individuals can have more than one Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.

6. All figures are rounded to the nearest 0.1 million