Pensions

Mr. Beith
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why a married couple receive a lower rate of pension than two single people living together.

Mr. Orme
The rate of a person's retirement pension is related to his contribution record. Where a married couple have both maintained full contribution records they receive the same rates of pension as two single people with the same records. It is inappropriate that a married woman who relies on her husband's contributions for her pension should receive the same rate as one who has paid full contributions.