Pensions (Hansard, 26 January 2004)

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the(a) number and (b) percentage of working age people contributing to a non-state pension scheme. [150452]

§ Malcolm Wicks
The number of working age people currently contributing to a non-state pension scheme is 11.7 million.
The percentage of working age people currently contributing to a non-state pension scheme is 36 per cent.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 2002–03.
Notes:
1. Those who are 'contributing' are members of a non-state pension schemes who are themselves currently contributing to the scheme.
2. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). 2002–03 is the latest year for which data is available. The coverage of the Survey is the UK.
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3. Non-state pension refers to either an occupational pension or personal pension
4. Stakeholder pensions are included as personal pensions in the estimates.
5. Working age has been defined as 20–59 for women and 20–64 for men.
6. Some individuals may contribute to both an occupational and a personal pension scheme but there are no overlaps. The figures include those contributing to either an occupational pension or a personal pension.

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the(a) number and (b) percentage of working age people accumulating rights in a non-state pension scheme. [150453]

§ Malcolm Wicks
The number of working age people who are currently accumulating rights to a non-state pension scheme is 14.5 million
The percentage of working age people who are currently accumulating rights to a non-state pension scheme is 44 per cent.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 2002–03.
Notes:
1. Those 'accumulating rights' includes those who are members of a non-state pension with either themselves or their employer currently contributing. The figures do not include 'deferred' pension rights as neither themselves nor their employer are currently contributing.
2. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). 2002–03 is the latest year for which data is available. The coverage of the Survey is the UK.
3. Non-state pension refers to either an occupational pension or personal pension
4. Stakeholder pensions are included as personal pensions in the estimates.
5. Working age has been defined as 20–59 for women and 20–64 for men.
6. Some individuals may contribute to both an occupational and a personal pension scheme but there are no overlaps. The figures include those contributing to either an occupational pension or a personal pension.