11.   Many people find it hard to live on a basic state pension.

12.   ...people who need a supplement to their basic pension.

13.   It would also guarantee basic state pension for all permanent UK residents, whether or not their spouse had made sufficient contributions.

14.   Better-off Americans, benefiting less and less from the general fund, might in time oppose basic pensions altogether, as a waste of their taxes.

15.   The idea, its sponsors say, is to encourage individuals to plan for their own retirement while leaving the basic pension safety net intact.

16.   If the investment went wrong, the government would guarantee a basic state pension.

17.   That exempts her from any personal income tax, but qualifies her for a basic state pension on retirement.

18.   The existing state-run pension scheme will continue to guarantee basic pensions.

19.   It also pledged to top up personal funds if investment returns from the private pension plans fell below current income from basic state pensions.

20.   Blair claimed the Conservatives saw inequality as a sign of success and accused them of denigrating the health service, the basic pension and public education.