What you should know about the State Pension

The basic State Pension is a government-administered pension. It is based on the number of qualifying years gained through National Insurance contributions (NICs) you’ve paid, are treated as having paid or have been credited with throughout your working life. Do you qualify for the basic State Pension? If entitled, you can get the basic State Pension when you reach State Pension age. This is 65 for men born on or before 5 April 1959 and 60 for women born on or before 5 April 1950. The State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950...  Lire la suite

How the State Pension is paid ?

Your State Pension is paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office® or National Savings account that accepts Direct Debit payment. If you’re registered blind or need someone else who cares for you to collect your money you can be sent a cheque to cash at the Post Office®. Putting off claiming your State Pension until later You don’t have to claim your State Pension as soon as you reach State Pension age. If you wish, you can put off claiming it and get a higher weekly amount or the option of a one-off taxable lump sum payment...  Lire la suite

How to claim your State Pension

The Pension Service should automatically send you a claim form four months before you reach State Pension age. If you haven’t received this form three months before your birthday, you can: Download ‘State Pension claim form (BR1), print it out, then complete and send it to your local pension centre ring the State Pension line on 0800 731 7898 if you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0800 731 7339 for Welsh speaking customers living in Wales the phone number is 0800 731 7936 (8.00...  Lire la suite

If you don’t qualify for the full State Pension

If you reach State Pension age before 6 April 2010 If you don’t qualify for the full basic State Pension, but have 25 per cent or more of the qualifying years, you’ll get a weekly basic State Pension between the minimum (£23.81 in 2009-2010) and the maximum (£95.25 in 2009-2010). If you have fewer than 25 per cent of the qualifying years, you will not be entitled to any basic State Pension using your own National Insurance contribution record. However, you can get a ‘non-contributory’ or ‘Over 80 Pension’ if...  Lire la suite

How much could you expect from the State Pension?

In 2009-2010, the full basic State Pension is £95.25 a week. The full basic State Pension for a married woman using her husband’s National Insurance record is £57.05 a week. This means that a married couple could get separate basic State Pension payments totalling £152.30 a week. If they both qualify for a full basic State Pension this could be £190.50 a week. In all circumstances your individual circumstances may affect the amount you get. A State Pension forecast will tell you the current value of your State Pension and the amount you may...  Lire la suite