ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the government's plans to reform the pensions system.

Stakeholder Response: Age Concern

On the Pensions Reform Bill, a spokesman said: "This Bill is long-overdue but extremely welcome. We are delighted that the government has finally woken up to the need to improve the state pension, particularly for women who have missed out the most.

"But today’s pensioners cannot wait until 2012. Without urgent action, the real value of the basic state pension will fall to a dismal £75 by this date.

"The government must urgently restore the earnings link so that pensioners do not get poorer the longer they live."

Stakeholder Response: Carers UK

A spokesman said: "The main bill that Carers UK will be taking an interest in is the Pensions Bill. We welcomed the white paper earlier this year with its emphasis on recognising the value of caring and helping carers to improve their pension provision.

"Our main focus will be on ensuring that the proposed 'carer credit' is available to as many carers as possible.

"By restricting it to those caring for more than 20 hours a week for someone on middle or higher rate DLA or AA, the government admits that 50,000 carers will lose out and will not be building up any pension provision.

"We are committed to working with the government to explore ways to bring these carers in to the system. We have suggested that GPs, social workers or other professionals should be able to certify that someone is caring for more than 20 hours a week.

"This means that if the person they are caring for is not claiming these benefits, the carer will not lose out.

"Another crucial issue for carers is the overlapping benefit rule which means that when carers receive their state pension they can no longer receive Carer's Allowance.

"Carers see this as a huge injustice and we want government to review and change the current position so that carers of pension age have their role and contribution to society recognised.

Stakeholder Response: IMA

Richard Saunders, chief executive of the IMA, said: "Today’s announcement will enable the government to take the first steps in addressing pensions reform in the UK.

"We warmly welcome the setting up of a Delivery Authority as this will help to ensure that the right, detailed decisions are taken in setting up the NPSS.

"Our view remains that the NPSS holds out the prospect of significantly boosting savings, but critically its success will depend on getting the detail right.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the Department and the Delivery Authority to help achieve this."

Stakeholder Response: Help the Aged

Mervyn Kohler, head of public affairs, said: "The legislative programme mapped out in the Queen's speech offers scope to address aspects of both the poverty of older age today and the aspirations of future pensioners for a better old age. This is not before time.

"The much-trailed Pensions Reform Bill will not excite pensioners today. It is, as the royal address said 'a Bill for the long term reform of pensions'.

"While it is primarily a measure for pensioners in the future, it is nonetheless welcome if it creates the possibility of a secure older age for future generations.

"Free local off-peak bus travel, currently only available within a local authority area, will become a national reality for pensioners, but questions remain as to what alternatives ministers intend to put in place for those older people who cannot access bus travel due to disability.

"The Local Government Bill needs to contain provisions to limit the pernicious and growing burden of Council Tax on pensioners and others on fixed incomes.

"For older employees hoping to extend their working lives, the Further Education Bill and Welfare Reform Bill may provide a measure of encouragement and assistance.

"As MPs and peers consider these and other proposed Bills, they should probe for clarity about the impact of these measures on an ageing population.

"The Treasury has identified the rapid increase in the old age dependency ratio as one of the five 'new challenges' Britain will need to address in constructing the framework for the comprehensive spending review. This legislative programme should at least be nibbling at this agenda."

Stakeholder Response: Amicus

Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson said: "Extending peoples working lives penalises the poor who will be contributing to pensions they will not live to receive.

"It's also the poor and low waged who are most desperately in need of the restoration of the earnings link, so the government are giving to them with one hand only to take away with the other."

Stakeholder Response: ACCA

A spokesman said: "ACCA welcomes the fact that the government seems ready to act on long-term reform of the state pensions system following the Turner report and the subsequent Department of Work and Pensions white paper.

"The Bill is likely to restore the link between the state pension and earnings, and to extend the state pension age to 68. It remains to be seen whether the government will consider economic conditions adequate to justify the restructuring of the earnings link.

"ACCA points out, however, that the Turner report and white paper proposals were presented as a package and should be delivered as such, and not as a 'pick 'n' mix’.

Stakeholder Response: Association of British Insurers