§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have opted to defer receiving their state pension, and how many pensioners in total have received increments in each year since 1992. [88204]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe information is not available in the format requested.
We estimate that around 3 per cent. of people who reached state pension age five years ago deferred claiming their basic state pension. On average, these individuals deferred their basic state pension for almost two years.
The table shows the number of pensioners receiving increments in each year.
Thousands March 2002 1.163.1 March 2001 1,193.6 March 2000 1,221.2 Notes:
1.Figures are taken from a 5 per cent. sample.
2.Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.
3.Figures include own and inherited increments and all components.
4.Comparative figures are not available prior to September 1999.
Source:
Pension Strategy and Computer System at 31 March of each year.
Notes:
1.Estimates are based on the latest March 2002 RP admin data and the Government Actuary's Department mid-year population estimates.
2.Figures are for Great Britain.