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 2011/12 tax year, the levels are £5,304 for an employee and £5,315 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 2011 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 5 April 1959
Rising from 65 to 66	Male		April 2020
60	Female	Before / on 5 April 1950
Rising to 65	Female	6 April 1950 - 5 April 1955	April 2016 - December 2018
Rising from 65 to 66	Female		April 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 2011/12 tax year the full basic state pension for a single person is £102.15 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 2011

To find out more contact your local pension centre through Directgov website.