Free debates initially discussing support for the retired (8)
I believe the answer is:
bedstead
'support for the retired' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'free debates initially discussing' is the wordplay.
'free' indicates an anagram.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'discussing' is 'd'.
'debates' with letters rearranged gives 'bedstea'.
'bedstea'+'d'='BEDSTEAD'
(Other definitions for bedstead that I've seen before include "Frame etc on which one sleeps" , "Framework supporting a sleeper" , "support for the retired" , "Framework supporting springs and mattresses" , "Frame for a sleeping person" .)