30 November 2006
STATISTICAL PRESS RELEASE - PENSIONERS INCOME SERIES, NORTHERN IRELAND, 2004/05 STATISTICS
Pensioners in Northern Ireland had lower average gross incomes than Great Britain, and the United Kingdom as a whole, in 2004/05.
This is one of the key findings in a report called "Pensioners' Income Series, Northern Ireland 2004-05"
Other key facts include:
- On average, pensioner units in Northern Ireland (both singles and couples) had lower gross incomes (£360), compared to their counterparts in Great Britain £424), and in the United Kingdom as a whole (£423).
- From 2002/03 to 2004/05, gross income for all pensioner units grew by 2% for gross income, whilst net income before and after housing costs also rose by 2%.
- Personal pensions were the fastest growing source of pensioners' incomes between 2002/03 and 2004/05, whilst income from occupational pensions increased slightly over this period.
- In 2004/05, pensioner couples on average had one and a half the level of gross income that single pensioners had.
- On average, older single pensioners had lower incomes. By comparison in 2004/05, pensioner couples who were recently retired had an average weekly gross income of £360, compared to those pensioner whose head of household was under 75, at £350; and those aged 75 or over, at £363 couples.
- On average, pensioner units in Northern Ireland (both singles and couples) had lower gross incomes, but higher income from benefits than their counterparts in Great Britain, and in the United Kingdom as a whole.
- In 2004/05, almost all pensioner units (98%) received income from the State Pension or other National Insurance benefits, at an average of £111 per week (£90 per week for singles and £149 per week for couples).
- Almost two-thirds of all pensioner units had some private income on top of state benefits however this comprised of approximately four in five pensioner couples and three in five single pensioners.
- Almost half of pensioner units (48%) had some investment income, although seven in ten pensioners in this group received only a maximum of £10 per week from it.
- Single female pensioners were more likely to be in the top fifth of the income distribution than single male pensioners: at 22% and 15% respectively.
- Three in ten pensioners were in the top half of the overall population income distribution before housing costs; 33% of individuals in pensioner couples and 25% of single pensioners.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The statistics contained in this publication are derived from the Family Resources Survey in Northern Ireland. The publication provides analyses of the weekly individual income of pensioners in Northern Ireland by source of income, marital type, and age.
2. Additional copies of this report are available of the Department's website: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk
3. Media enquiries to DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9497.
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