Pensions

This paper uses work and caring history information from the British Family and Working Lives Survey (1994/5) to examine the provision of family care and its impact upon the employment and the subsequent state and private pension entitlement among mid-life men and women. Combining paid employment with care-giving was not an option for a significant minority of women with caring responsibilities in mid-life.

Considers how carers of working age incur pension penalties and the ways in which social security legislation has helped or hindered them in acquiring state pensions. Outlines how paid employment and earnings are related to caring responsibilities, discusses the impact of caring on state and private pensions, and considers how pension policy for the future may affect carers.