DWP released its quarterly statistical summary yesterday and if, like me, you’re an avid readers of stats, they give an important insight into the current trends affecting particular areas of retirement. I’ve picked out a few of the more interest figures: 

• At February 2009, there were 12.2 million claimants of State Pension, a rise of 215,000 in a year earlier.
• The average weekly amount in payment at February 2009 was £96.62, a rise of £4.52 since February 2008. 

What I find fascinating though is Table 2.2 on page 15 showing the number of women compared to the number of men in receipt of the State Pension. I had no idea there was quite so much difference. The graph above it is also illuminating showing the steady increase in people claiming the State Pension since 2004. See:

Quarterly Statistical Summary (DWP)  (33 pages)