Letter: Limits to personal pensions

Sir: After the excellent coverage you gave on Tuesday to the report of the Commission on Social Justice, it may seem churlish to grumble at a wrong impression given in your editorial on Wednesday.

We have not suggested a compulsory second pension scheme run by the state.

We have suggested a compulsory second pension scheme, but with the individual free to choose between contributing through a private scheme (properly regulated) or through a state-run scheme. We then go on to discuss two options, one improving the present combination of occupational, personal and Serps pensions, the second through a funded scheme of the individual's choice.

We agree with your statement that 'well-informed individuals should be able to choose for themselves'.

Yours sincerely, GORDON BORRIE Chairman Commission on Social Justice London, WC2 27 October