The State Pension

The Basic Pension is paid to people who have reached pension age (60 for women, 65 for men) and have paid or been credited with sufficient National Insurance (NI) contributions. If you do not have enough contributions you may get a reduced pension or may not get one at all.

A married women can claim a pension on her husband's contributions. Divorced or widowed people may be able to use their former spouse's record to get a pension or increase their pension.

After 2012 the age at which a woman is entitled to receive State Retirement Pension changes from 60 to 65.

For further information see Age Concern Factsheet 19 or Contact Information and Advice.