Pensions Secure and More Affordable in an Independent Scotland

Following a report in today’s Sunday Post citing letters from private and public organisations about pensions being unaffected by a YES vote and independence, the SNP has reiterated that the people of Scotland can look forward to safer state pensions and should dismiss the NO campaign’s scaremongering.

SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“As these letters covering private, public and armed forces pensions make absolutely clear, all pensions are totally secure in an independent Scotland. Scotland would be in the top 20 wealthiest countries in the world, and a smaller share of our tax revenues and national income are spent on pensions compared to the UK as a whole - which means that pensions are more affordable for an independent Scotland. And with the powers of independence, we will have the triple lock to ensure that the state pension rises by at least 2.5 per cent a year - and we will review Westminster's unfair decision to keep raising the state pension age."

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click to read whole letter DWP pension letter quote: "If Scotland does become Independent this will have no effect on your State Pension"	click to read whole letter MoD Royal Navy pension letter quote: "The Government of the continuing UK would have a legal obligation to ensure that accrued pension rights for members of the Armed Forces are met, irrespective of where they retire."
click to read whole letter Daily Mail pension letter quote: "I can confirm that should there be a Yes vote in the 2014 Scotland Referendum the benefit you have accrued in the scheme would be unaffected."	click to read whole letter HSBC pension letter quote: "I confirm that your pension plan will not be affected should Scotland vote for independence."