State Pension - Advice and
Information.
What is State Pension ?
State Pension is for people who have reached State
Pension Age. It is based upon
National Insurance Contributions.
State Pension Age.
From 6th April 2020 the State Pension Age for both men and women will be 65.
Women's State Pension Age will start moving gradually from 60 to 65 from 2010.
This will not affect women born on or before 5th April 1950 who can still claim
their
State Pension at 60.
Basic State Pension.
Basic State Pension is dependent on the number of qualifying years you
have earned
over your working life.
Qualifying years are based on the National Insurance Contributions you
have paid,
been treated as having paid, or been credited with. If you do not
have enough you may
be able to pay some extra contributions.
Working Life.
Your Working Life is the period over which you have to meet the
contribution conditions
for the Basic State Pension - it is normally :
- 49 years for men.
- 44 years for women born on or before 5th October 1950.
- 45 years for women born on or before 6th October 1950
- 46 years for women born on or before 6th October 1951
- 47 years for women born on or before 6th October 1952
- 48 years for women born on or before 6th October 1953
- 49 years for women born on or before 6th October 1954
Your Working Life is counted from the start of the tax year in which you
reach the age of 16
to the end of the tax year before the one in which you reach State Pension Age.
How much will I get ?
Only use these amounts as a guide.
The rules for benefits mean that your individual circumstances may affect
the amount you
can get.
Basic State Pension (per week from 10th April 2006) :
- Basic Pension for a man or woman with a full contribution record is
£84.25 per week.
- A wife qualifying on her husband's contributions is entitled to £50.50 per
week.
All benefits are reviewed each year with most benefits being rated in
April.
How do I claim ?
You will be sent a claim form for State Pension four (4) months before
you reach your
State Benefit Age. If you have not received your claim form three (3)
months before
you reach State Benefit Age, you can call the State Pension claim line on 0845
300 1084
(text phone : 0845 300 2086). Opening hours are : 8am-8pm, Monday to
Friday.
You can also claim State Pension online at the Department for Works and
Pensions website (http://www.dwp.gov.uk).