asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an anomaly exists regarding male applicants for non-contributory old age pensions whose wives are working and cannot secure any pensions; his views on whether this is contrary to the spirit of the EC Directive on Equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pension Requirements.
56.
In assessing means for entitlement to non-contributory old age pension the means of one of a married couple living together is taken to be one-half of the total means of the couple. In the case of an applicant whose spouse is working the earnings of the spouse may, in certain circumstances, be so high as to put the applicants means over the limit for entitlement to pension. However, a person whose spouse earns up to £100 a week would still qualify for pension at a reduced rate. This limit would be higher if there were dependent children.
The arrangements in question are not in conflict with the EC Directive on equal treatment between men and women in matters of social security as they apply equally to men and women applicants.