Pensions

HC Deb 03 July 2002 vol 388 cc418-20W

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 20 May ref 57511 on pensions, what the latest years for which estimates are available on a basis consistent with that used in the 1998 Pensions Green Paper to provide estimates for 1998 are for (a) GAD and DWP data on state spending on pensions and (b) ONS estimates of the size of private pensions in payment; and what the estimates are in both cases. [588051

Mr. McCartney

[holding answer 23 May 2002]: Table A shows the proportion of pension income coming from the state and private sources in each year from 1997–98 to 1999–2000. State pension income corresponds to benefit income as defined in the PI Series. Private pension income corresponds to the sum of occupational pension income and investment income in the PI Series. The percentage figures in Table 1 are derived directly from the average gross income totals in Table I of the PI Series (1999–2000).

Table A: Proportion of pension income coming from state and private sources
Percentage
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
State pension income	58	56	57
Private pension income	42	44	43

Note:

All figures rounded to nearest 1 per cent.

State pension income corresponds to PI definition of 'Benefit Income', which includes national insurance benefits received by the elderly, income-related benefits and disability benefits.

Private pension income corresponds to the sum of occupational pension income and investment income. The latter includes income from annuities, personal pensions, property, stocks and shares, as well as income from savings.

For further information on PI methodology and definitions see Section 5, page 10 of Pensioners' Incomes Series (1999–2000).

As the PI Series shows, pensioners also receive income from earnings and 'other' sources. For reference, therefore, it is also possible to estimate the proportion of retirement income comes from state and private sources. This is done in Table B. As with Table A, the proportions here are derived directly from the average gross income totals in Table 1 of the PI Series (1999–2000).

Table B: Proportion of retirement income coming from state and private sources
Percentage
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
State retirement income	53	51	52
Private retirement income	47	49	48

Note:

All figures rounded to nearest 1 per cent.

State retirement income corresponds to PI definition of `Benefit Income', which includes national insurance benefits received by the elderly, income-related benefits and disability benefits.

Private retirement income corresponds to the sum of occupational pension income, earnings, 'other' income and investment income. Investment income includes income from annuities, personal pensions, property, stocks and shares, as well as income from savings. 'Other' income includes private benefits such as those from Friendly Societies, and the income of any dependent children, as well as other miscellaneous sources of income.For further information on PI methodology and definitions see Section 5, page 10 of Pensioners' Incomes Series (1999–2000).

Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if the National Pensioners Convention is among the organisations he is proposing to consult regarding the draft National Strategy report on pensions; and when the consultation is to take place. [64673]

Mr. McCartney

The National Pensioners Convention is one of a range of organisations which the Department for Work and Pensions has regular contact with. These organisations have been invited to a meeting in July concerning the National Strategy Report.