Pensions Bill

My Lords, I was quite amazed by the various contributions to the debate and became more convinced as it wore on. Being 75-plus, I am glad, I suppose, that I have been able to take my annuity, although I wriggled like mad at the time, because, it will not surprise any noble Lords to know, annuities are not my favourite subject and they discriminate against women. I am amazed by the views of the noble Lord, Lord Oakeshott, on this amendment, because I see it as being a temporary arrangement that cannot last for more than two years. My goodness, if the situation that we are now in lasts only two years we will be very lucky indeed. The amendment has a degree of flexibility attached to it, although I am equally likely to support raising the age of retirement, not least because I shall again have the opportunity to argue my case about the sex discrimination that exists. What the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, said, with her background and knowledge was, as always, convincing in every way, although I also thought that the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, moved the amendment very thoroughly. I am just surprised that so little attention has been given to any of this in the other place.