11 MARCH 1966, Page 13

The Earnings Rule

Slit.--If the Minister of Pensions feels unable, in pre- sent circumstances, to do anything about the earnings rule for pensioners between sixty-five and seventy years of age, she might care to consider the following anomaly, the abolition of which would be much less expensive: a pensioner Mu: pays tax by way of PAYE on his earnings may deduct the sum thus paid in calculating his total earnings for the week on which his pension will be assessed. if, however, his earnings are less regular, and there is no tax deduc- tion, although tax at the full standard rate will ulti- matelyThe paid, he cannot make any deduction from the full amount received in returning his earnings for assessment of pension.

J. G. BULLOCKS