18th June 2012. Final Sociology A2 SY4 – .  If answering a question on gender or age tomorrow, you might want to point out that the difference in pensions between men and women is decreasing.  The pension gap was, in 2011 £7,400, but  is now £5,750 (with women living on £12,250 in comparison with men’s £18,000). Report on BBC News 8^th June 2012  

Note that the basic state pension, should you want to refer to it was increased  (+ £5.30) form £102.15 to £107.45 in April 2012.

 In a very interesting measure apparently designed to reduce gender inequality, mothers and carers who stay at home and retire from 2015 onwards will no longer be penalised in their pension for ‘time-out of the workplace'.  Currently, those who do not work for a full 30 years receive a reduced pension entitlement, for every year out of the workplace.  Note that this change will also enable women to take time out of the workplace to care, easing demand on state provision.  (The Guardian 11^th May 2012).  Legislation is also underway to encourage (by making it less expensive through the abolition of council tax) families to convert part of their home into granny flats. Such timing....

Finally, resist the temptation to sit up late, sleep and good luck.