Pensions (Hansard, 29 November 2001)

§ Mr. Illsley
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many members of defined contribution pension schemes are paying the(a) higher rate and (b) standard rate of tax; [18627]
1120W
(2) if he will estimate the number of members of defined contribution pension schemes paying the (a) higher rate and (b) standard rate of tax. [18610]

§ Dawn Primarolo
Available estimates for 2001–02 are contained in the table, it is not possible to break down those contributing to occupational schemes according to whether they are in defined benefit or defined contribution schemes. All those contributing to personal pensions will be in defined contribution schemes.

Thousands

Number of individuals with contributions

Occupational pension schemes¹ Personal pension schemes²

Marginal rate of income tax

Basic rate 8,000 3,500

Higher rate 2,000 500

¹ Approximate estimates based on overall numbers from the GAD survey of occupational pension schemes and survey data on the earnings distribution of contributors.

² Approximate estimates based on overall numbers from plan managers, survey data, and relief claimed on tax returns by higher rate and self-employed contributors. Figures are provisional and consistent with the 1999–2000 Survey of Personal Incomes projected to 2001–02 levels of earnings and prices.

§ Mr. Illsley
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many defined contribution occupational pension schemes are covered by the pre-1987 tax regime; and how many members of such schemes there are; [18611]
(2) how many defined contribution occupational pension schemes are covered by the 1987 to 1989 tax regime; [18626]
(3) how many occupational pension schemes are covered by the (a) pre-1987 and (b) 1987 to 1989 tax regime. [18604]

§ Ruth Kelly
Latest estimates from the Government Actuary's Department Survey of Occupational Schemes (1995) suggested that there were 8.8 million active members in 38,000 defined benefit occupational schemes; 1.1 million members in 109,000 defined contribution occupational schemes; and around 0.3 million members in 4,000 mixed defined benefit/defined contribution schemes. It is not possible to derive from this survey or from other sources how many schemes and members are covered by the different tax regimes.

Thousands
	Number of individuals with contributions
	Occupational pension schemes¹	Personal pension schemes²
Marginal rate of income tax
Basic rate	8,000	3,500
Higher rate	2,000	500
¹ Approximate estimates based on overall numbers from the GAD survey of occupational pension schemes and survey data on the earnings distribution of contributors.
² Approximate estimates based on overall numbers from plan managers, survey data, and relief claimed on tax returns by higher rate and self-employed contributors. Figures are provisional and consistent with the 1999–2000 Survey of Personal Incomes projected to 2001–02 levels of earnings and prices.