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| Scottish independence: Post-Yes state pension would be paid 'on time and in full' | Scottish independence: Post-Yes state pension would be paid 'on time and in full' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The basic state pension would continue to be paid "on time and in full" if Scotland were to vote for independence. | The basic state pension would continue to be paid "on time and in full" if Scotland were to vote for independence. |
| Scottish government ministers made the pledge as they revealed their blueprint for pensions post-Yes. | Scottish government ministers made the pledge as they revealed their blueprint for pensions post-Yes. |
| They also said that from 2016 new pensioners would be given £160 a week - making them £1.10 better off than those in the rest of the UK. | They also said that from 2016 new pensioners would be given £160 a week - making them £1.10 better off than those in the rest of the UK. |
| However, opposition parties accused the SNP of not answering the difficult pension questions. | However, opposition parties accused the SNP of not answering the difficult pension questions. |
| Labour's pensions spokesman, Gregg McClaymont, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that "vague promises" had been made about the future, but the most difficult realities of an ageing Scottish society had not been faced. | Labour's pensions spokesman, Gregg McClaymont, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that "vague promises" had been made about the future, but the most difficult realities of an ageing Scottish society had not been faced. |
| State pension policy is currently under UK government control and plans are in the pipeline to increase the state pension age from 65 to 67 starting in 2026. | State pension policy is currently under UK government control and plans are in the pipeline to increase the state pension age from 65 to 67 starting in 2026. |
| Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that in the first year of an independent Scotland, an expert commission would be established to consider the appropriate level of the country's state pension age. | |
| She said the Scottish government was "not persuaded" of the UK government's timetable to increase the pension age. | She said the Scottish government was "not persuaded" of the UK government's timetable to increase the pension age. |
| Ms Sturgeon added: "Successive UK government decisions have resulted in a pensions crisis. Independence will bring decision-making on pensions home to the Scottish Parliament and provide the opportunity to do things differently and better. | Ms Sturgeon added: "Successive UK government decisions have resulted in a pensions crisis. Independence will bring decision-making on pensions home to the Scottish Parliament and provide the opportunity to do things differently and better. |
| "As this comprehensive paper makes clear, we will build on the current system and make improvements where necessary. | "As this comprehensive paper makes clear, we will build on the current system and make improvements where necessary. |
| "We are giving an absolute guarantee to those living in Scotland, in receipt of the UK state pension at the time of independence, that their pensions will continue to be paid in full and on time, as now." | "We are giving an absolute guarantee to those living in Scotland, in receipt of the UK state pension at the time of independence, that their pensions will continue to be paid in full and on time, as now." |
| The minister also said a new system in an independent Scotland would take the "best of the UK system" and build upon it. | The minister also said a new system in an independent Scotland would take the "best of the UK system" and build upon it. |
| Key points of the Scottish government paper include: | |
| Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney said that the pensions system under independence would see people having the same level of protection as they currently receive from the Pension Protection Fund and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. |