THE Scottish Government has been accused of failing to properly cost its plans for both public and private pensions.

The Scottish Affairs Committee also cast "serious doubts" on whether a separate Scotland could set up a new benefits system by 2018, saying the time frame is "unrealistic".

The committee found that the stated plans to consider delaying the increase in the pension age to 67 and to pay a proposed higher starting rate than the rest of the UK are almost entirely uncosted.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Individual pensions in Scotland are between 6% to 8% cheaper compared to the rest of the UK."