Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Patel of Bradford (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 January 2009.

Pensions

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people will be affected by the recently announced overpayment in public sector pensions; what, in percentage terms, will be the maximum reduction in pensions payments from any correction; and what arrangements will be made by the Department for Work and Pensions to address any hardship arising from such adjustments.

Answer: As stated in the Written Ministerial Statement by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 December (Official Report, col. WS 113), an estimated 95,000 pensioners have been overpaid. Full details of the position of each individual affected are not yet available, so it is not possible to say what will be the maximum percentage reduction in pension payments from the correction. When schemes write to individual pensioners with the details, the letters will contain information prepared by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This will list DWP benefits with brief details on eligibility criteria and contact information. Departments responsible for the schemes affected and DWP are seeking to identify customers that may be more vulnerable, and exploring what additional support could be provided.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 410; 706 c209WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Pensions
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Overpayments Workplace pensions Public sector
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk