HC Deb 25 May 2004 vol 421 c1591W
Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list each item of information which may be contained in a state pension statement. [170099]

Malcolm Wicks

State pension forecasts may contain the total weekly state pension earned to date and forecasted to state pension age based on today's rates. The total figure has a breakdown of the basic state pension, including the number of qualifying years, the percentage and amount of basic state pension.

Where appropriate, the total figure will provide a breakdown of any additional state pension due, less any contracted-out deduction.

The forecast may also show: the date of birth used to calculate the forecast; current employment status advised by the customer; the customer's national insurance contribution status; whether the customer is paying into another pension scheme.

Where appropriate, the forecast will also provide the following: the number of years for which Home Responsibility Protection has been awarded; the date of divorce or widowhood.

Where a former or late spouse's national insurance contribution has been used in the forecast calculation, the letter sent with the forecast explains the conditions attached.

Additionally, where appropriate, the customer is advised of deficiencies in their national insurance contributions in the preceding six years and how payments of these may increase their state pension entitlement.