§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many retired pensionable civil servants there were in 1997; and what was then the total annual cost of their pensions; and [HL3609]
167WAHow many retired pensionable civil servants there are; and what is the total current annual cost of their pensions. [HL3610]
§ Lord Bassam of Brighton:The information requested is available only on a financial year, not a calendar year, basis and is shown in the table.
Year Number of pensions to retired employees Number of pensions to dependants Total pension payments to retired employees and dependants 1996–97 Accounts 405,000 125,000 £2,105,393,000 2004–05 estimated 418,000 131,000 £2,750,000,000 Not all pensioners were civil servants as the scheme includes some other public service employers and employees. Data split by former employment status are not available.
The figures quoted in the accounts for 1996–97 also include some early retirement payments and payments in respect of other minor schemes which were not identified separately; and pension payments to retired employees and dependants were not identified separately.
168WA
§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the estimated total annual cost, at current prices of Civil Service pensions in 2024, based on the same Civil Service establishment as currently exists. [HL3611]
§ Lord Bassam of Brighton:The scheme actuary estimates the cost of accruing Civil Service pensions for active members in the year 2023–24 will be £3,428 million. This is at current prices after discounting future price inflation.
This calculation includes the cost of benefits for all scheme members some of whom are not civil servants; and assumes stable membership numbers and no change in benefit structure. Not all civil servants are members of the scheme as a small number have opted out or have joined the partnership pension account which is a money-purchase stakeholder pension.
§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who is responsible for paying Civil Service pensions. [HL3612]
§ Lord Bassam of Brighton:Civil Service pensions are paid by Capita Hartshead under contract to the Cabinet Office.