The Government's pension reform

Written evidence submitted by M Seal

My submission consists of a comparison between my own state pension circumstances and those of my sister-in-law, who is 3 years 6 months my senior, and of the inequity of our two cases.

(Please note I have nothing against my sister-in-law).

Firstly, my own state pension circumstances are:

DOB is 20 December 1953. I have paid full national insurance contributions throughout my working life. The DWP Forecasting Team on 16 February 2011 gave my details as follows.

The leaflet EFFPC11/10 accompanying my forecast shows on page 1 that I will not receive my state pension until I am 66 years of age.

Please note that at the beginning of my working life I expected my state pension to commence at age 60. This was later amended to 63 years 9 months. Now it is 66 years and may be 68 years.

Secondly, the circumstances of my sister-in-law:

DOB is 21 June 1950. She has also paid full national insurance contributions throughout her working life. She has been in receipt of a full state pension since the age of 60; that is, since 21 June 2010.

Thirdly, the shortfall:

As you can see, by accident of myself being 3 years 6 months younger than my sister-in-law my State Pension will be less than hers by the following:

SHORTFALL

5 April 2011 values £121.11 x 52 weeks x 6 years = £37786.32

5 April 2017 values £134.96 x 52 weeks x 6 years = £42107.52

I hope that these calculations clearly outline the inequity* of the two cases. (* A want of equity or justice; the fact or quality of being unfair).

Just to make myself clear – I urge you most seriously not to approve any legislation, which will have such a gross ill effect upon my financial future.

March 2011