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22/04/2005
Charities call for fairer pensions for women
Two charities have called for a reform to the pension system in order to make it fairer to women.
Age Concern and The Fawcett Society say that many women do not qualify for a full state pension because they have taken time off work to raise a family or become a carer.
Figures compiled by the two charities showed that only 16% of newly retired women receive a full state pension, compared to 78% of men. It also reported that a fifth of single women pensioners live in poverty.
The report said that women also did not have the same access to occupational pension schemes that men did, because women are less likely to work for employers who provide such schemes. The pay gap between men and women, who traditionally earn less on average than men, also affected their pensions, the report said.
Dr Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society, said: “Women tend to receive lower pensions because they earn less than men during their lifetimes. Increasing the pension age will not change this and will do nothing to reduce the number of pensioner women living in poverty.”
The charities say that the State Second Pension should be reformed in order to protect low-paid workers or those who take time off work due to care responsibilities and do not pay enough National Insurance contributions.
The charities also argue for a rise in the full basic state pension to £109 per week.
The Liberal Democrats have included the introduction of a ‘Citizen’s Pension’, which they claim would be fairer for women, because it is based on residency, not National Insurance contributions in their election pledges.
The Conservatives also announced plans to increase pensions in line with earnings in their election proposals.
Labour have pledged to introduce “generous options” for those who defer the state pension to work longer, which could include a lump sum payment or a substantial increase in the weekly pension.
(KMcA/GB)
Age Concern and The Fawcett Society say that many women do not qualify for a full state pension because they have taken time off work to raise a family or become a carer.
Figures compiled by the two charities showed that only 16% of newly retired women receive a full state pension, compared to 78% of men. It also reported that a fifth of single women pensioners live in poverty.
The report said that women also did not have the same access to occupational pension schemes that men did, because women are less likely to work for employers who provide such schemes. The pay gap between men and women, who traditionally earn less on average than men, also affected their pensions, the report said.
Dr Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society, said: “Women tend to receive lower pensions because they earn less than men during their lifetimes. Increasing the pension age will not change this and will do nothing to reduce the number of pensioner women living in poverty.”
The charities say that the State Second Pension should be reformed in order to protect low-paid workers or those who take time off work due to care responsibilities and do not pay enough National Insurance contributions.
The charities also argue for a rise in the full basic state pension to £109 per week.
The Liberal Democrats have included the introduction of a ‘Citizen’s Pension’, which they claim would be fairer for women, because it is based on residency, not National Insurance contributions in their election pledges.
The Conservatives also announced plans to increase pensions in line with earnings in their election proposals.
Labour have pledged to introduce “generous options” for those who defer the state pension to work longer, which could include a lump sum payment or a substantial increase in the weekly pension.
(KMcA/GB)
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Mixed reaction to pensions report
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