State Pensions
State pensions are a very complex subject and this section is only intended to give an overview. If you would like more detailed information, please visit the Directgov website.
The basic state pension
What you will get from the state depends on the number of 'qualifying years' you've built up throughout your working life.
To build up a qualifying year you pay national insurance contributions to the state. For each qualifying year you must be earning about certain minimum income levels set by the government. For the 2012/13 tax year, the levels are £5,564 for an employee and £5,595 for a self-employed person.
You can also build up qualifying years even if you don't earn above the minimum income level. In these cases you are deemed to have paid national insurance contributions or are credited with qualifying years.
If you've been claiming benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance for example you'll have automatically been credited with national insurance contributions for the time you've been claiming.
How many qualifying years do you normally need?
This depends on whether you are male or female, although if you reached the state pension age on or after 6 April 2010, it is 30 for either sex.
To find out whether there are any gaps in your qualifying years or your national insurance contributions visit the Directgov website.
When would I receive my basic state pension?
You normally receive your state pension at the state pension age. This depends on when you were born although changes are planned - see the table below.
| State Pension Age | Gender | Birthday | When is the change? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Male | Before / on 6 December 1953 | |
| Rising from 65 to 66 | Male | October 2020 | |
| 60 | Female | Before / on 5 April 1950 | |
| Rising to 65 | Female | 6 April 1950 - 6 December 1953 |
April 2016 - November 2018 |
| Rising from 65 to 66 | Female | October 2020 |
You don't have to take your basic state pension when you reach the state pension age, you can defer it and get a higher amount or a one-off taxable lump sum. Find out more on the Directgov website.
How much is the full basic state pension?
This changes each tax year and your individual circumstances may also affect how much you receive per week.For the 2012/13 tax year the full basic state pension for a single person is £107.45 per week. For couples the amount can vary depending on your circumstances.
You can get a forecast of your basic state pension on the Directgov website.
Claiming your basic state pension
The Pension Service should send you a claim form four months before you reach the state pension age. If you haven't received it three months before, then you should print off a claim form from the Directgov website and send it to your local pension centre.
What if I don't qualify for a full basic state pension?
You may be entitled to a percentage of the full basic state pension or other benefits - see the table below.
| Qualifying years | Basic State Pension | Reached State Pension Age | Other benefit | Some qualifying years | 1/30th of the full amount for each qualifying year | On or after 6 April 2010 |
|---|
To find out more contact your local pension centre through Directgov website.
This is based on our understanding, as at February 2012, of current taxation, legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, all of which is liable to change without notice. The impact of taxation (and any tax relief) depends on individual circumstances.
