Fifty Years On

In the Government's White Paper on this scheme various examples were given of the pension which might be received after 40, 45 or 50 years of working life. This indicates that for the next 40, or 50 years the scheme will be gradually getting into gear, and will reach full flower in the year 2015 or 2025.

As a scheme to provide most people working now with a decent income in retirement this is an insult. You can't join if you are over 55 and if you are between 30 and 55 you will only get a part of a pension. It's a long time to wait until the scheme comes into full effect, and the waiting is unnecessary. A full pension scheme is possible in a year or two, if Labour really wanted to bring it in.