Can someone explain why I don't get a full State Pension please?

I have already explained this in a recent discussion about a widow’s entitlement to state pension based on her husband’s NIC.

Widow’s who come within the basic state pension scheme fare much better on the point, but the new state pension pays a higher weekly pension.

The only thing a widow can inherit under the new state pension is 50% of any Additional State Pension that her husband had contributed to through making:

∞ graduated contributions between 1961 and 1975

∞ contributions under the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) between 1978 and 2002

∞ contributions under the Second State Pension between 2002 and 2016

If someone was contracted out of SERPS and SSP i.e. their contributions went into an occupational pension scheme, then there would be nothing to inherit as a state pension. If the widow is entitled to inherit some part of the occupational pension, then she benefits from that instead.

It is my understanding that graduated contributions could only be made from age 18. Under 18s paid a lower rate of NIC.

Someone born in (say) 1957 would have turned 18 in 1975 and may just have scraped into paying a small amount of graduated contributions. The 48p could relate to that or some SERPS or SSP paid from 1978 that didn't go into a occupational pension scheme.

Are the calls recorded at the CAB? I expect so. I think I would ask for that call to be investigated Whiff. It doesn't sound very helpful or professional for the CAB which is surely there to give advice in a polite manner.

Doodledog thank you for explaining it. I have found it very confusing. As things I have been told by DWP and what I read contradict eachother. 🤗

Whiff, as you are on the new pension you will get it in your own right, not based on your late husband’s contributions. That’s how the new pension works.

Of course you are unlucky to have lost your husband so young, but your pension contributions are what decides your pension- not his. I don’t know where the 48p comes from, but as I understand it nobody on the new pension (which is higher than the old one) inherits from a spouse.

Forgot to say I phone DWP pension service after I had my letter with code and applied for my pension on line. Because the man I spoke to earlier about why only 48p from my late husband's pension he said phone back once I had applied for my state pension.

Saggi I am of the Waspi generation being born in 1958. I will be getting new full state pension this year . But I don't feel lucky as you call 'younger oldies ' . As I have been widowed for 20 years. My husband died in 2004 aged 47. My husband was born in 1957 and started work in 1974. He paid a lot of tax and NI contributions until he died . I will get 48p a week from his state pension. Yippee what to spend that on 🤬.

I phoned CAB to see if they can explain why so little as the DWP pension service as the woman put it well he died when I phoned. Pointed out he didn't want to died in agony from cancer she said he should have paid longer and put the phone down on me.

Doodledog someone has made a choice to just look after their own house and family, I see no reason why they should be subsidised by those who have worked and paid in. If their husband has kept them until retirement and they have paid no tax or any other financial contribution to society, it seems much fairer that they should live off his pension when he retires than that younger people should have to work until they are 71

Something we can agree on.

I've never worked. I'm a sahm, it's what I do. My husband supports us and pays plenty of taxes above the higher rate. If I worked, I wouldn't be home, he'd need to cut his hours - it all evens out to the same.

I'd not ever think I was entitled to a pension, I've never worked.

However, I believe age to receive pension may have to go up to 71+ as people live longer - causing need to pay pensions extra years.

Obviously old people with no means of support can't be expected to live on nothing, and nor would I expect (or want) them to. But if we are at the point of even thinking about means testing, and increasing the retirement age to 71 for younger generations, it seems to me only fair that people who have not paid in should be the ones being means tested, not those who have.

Obviously if the reason for not paying NI is that someone has been unable to, because of caring for a sick or disabled child (or spouse/parent) or because they have been otherwise unable to work then that's different, but if someone has made a choice to just look after their own house and family, I see no reason why they should be subsidised by those who have worked and paid in. If their husband has kept them until retirement and they have paid no tax or any other financial contribution to society, it seems much fairer that they should live off his pension when he retires than that younger people should have to work until they are 71.

Pensions are supposed to allow people to leave work and have enough to live on after years of contributing to society. How you 'retire' when you've never worked is beyond me. It's very unfair.
But isn't it actually an "old age" pension, and not a "retirement" pension?

For me it is the unfairness of it, knowing some women receive a better pension when they have not worked.
I couldn't agree more. A friend of mine didn't work, and gets a full pension because she paid voluntary contributions in the years she wasn't covered by the state subsidy for looking after her own house and children (even when they were out all day at school). VCs are about £800 a year (and obviously were cheaper in previous years) as opposed to the thousands paid by working people, who are also paying childcare fees and believe it or not look after their own houses and families as well as working. Naturally, not working meant she wasn't opted out, so stopped paying ages ago when she reached the right number of years, when many people have to make up the opted out years to get the same amount as well as their occupational pension.

Even more annoyingly, if the SP does become means tested, the fact that she doesn't have an occupational pension will mean that she will probably still qualify, when working people who have paid into one could lose out. Pensions are supposed to allow people to leave work and have enough to live on after years of contributing to society. How you 'retire' when you've never worked is beyond me. It's very unfair.

For me it is the unfairness of it, knowing some women receive a better pension when they have not worked.
Hubby and I are ok money wise we sold our home and moved down market so we could have a better retirement.
I was born in 1944 and I understand from peoples comments that I am on a different pension to the one which is being paid now. Thanks to everyone for your interest and comments on how to help.

Bikergran - tell them you want to make a formal complaint as you have not been kept informed

Jeannie have you checked if you're entitled to Pension Credit? Here's a link
www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

jeanie99 14 months ago I spoke the the DWP asking why I do not get full pension ( I seem to have not full years on my records) I was to receive a letter within 10 working days explaining why etc.

14 month on still! waiting for that letter to arrive (maybe my postman walks very slow)

2 months ago I thought I would have another jab at it, spoke to nice lady, "ohh yes I see that you enquired about it " " I will notify and you will receive a reply within 10 working days as to why you do not get full pension. (sound familiar)?

Well as you can guess, I think it must be the same postman as last time!

I may have yet another stab tomorrow.

Surely we are entitled to a clear written explanation as to our question. Not sure how else I can force them to send me an explanation.

I am concerned that I may be owed HRP.

I receive £375 a month state pension even the pension staff I have spoken to think it is very low.
I left school in 1959 and paid the married women's stamp after I married but because my salary was not high enough to pay the larger stamp cost. Had to work hubby went to work one day and never came back. I only found out he had left his job when I went down to see his manager and he had left 2 weeks previous. He had been going to work every morning and I never knew he had left his work.
After this I really struggled money wise as I had to pay my MIL for looking after my son while I worked.
I was so naive didn't know I could have made a claim to the government for help.
Mother always said to me if you want anything in life you have to work for it.
I've given up asking for a calculation of my pension they never get back to me having written and phoned many many time over the years. My husband said just forget about it now you'll never get anything more.

It wasn’t too onerous, really. Definitely worth the effort.

Well the form was simple enough if I remember rightly (name and address of employer, etc), and the Pension Office sent it off to Germany. I did get a few follow up letters from Germany over the next few months, but with basic questions, such as my addresses over there. And for some reason I’d to send details of my education and copies of any certificates gained at school and college (I’ve no idea why!). Fortunately they didn’t ask for tax numbers, etc, as the relevant documents had been shredded in a mouse-related incident.

Thanks, I assumed I might be left in limbo for however many years it takes, but I guess the two aren't connected. Do they do all the searching and communicating for you?

I’d certainly advise you to as well. The two claims are completely separate, so your U.K. pension wouldn’t be affected. Why not claim what you’re entitled to?

Joseann - Re having worked abroad the Pension's Office simply sent me a form to fill out.
It didn't delay me getting my full British state pension. To date I've still not got round to returning the form.
I would pursue it as you may benefit.

Just a quick reminder to endorse Whiff's helpful advice on here to phone the Pensions Office.
Having had no letter, I went online to put things in motion for my pension, but for some reason it wouldn't process it without some additional information. I phoned the number given, and in less than ten minutes had everything sorted by a helpful real person, and a confirmation letter is on its way.
I am pleased enough with the amount despite missing gaps. I didn't bother to say I had worked abroad because I really can't be bothered to chase it up and delay things. I'll take what I'm given.
Thank you Whiff and others.
Now to tell school I won't be available to offer any more cover after Easter. Looking forward to joining the happy band of pensioners soon.

Lucky you ‘younger’ oldies who get the new full state pension ….i worked 46 years …paid full stamp …(Not married woman’s) …and don’t qualify for ‘new’ state pension …we’re stuck on a £100 per month lower than that!
To add insult to injury , I and all my freinds
are the ‘Waspi’ generation those born 1950 to 1960 ….seems were losing out twice ….we all feel like we’ve had our pockets pinched .
Still , with any luck we’ll all die off before any governments admits we’ve been ‘shafted’.

remember Pension Credit tops up:

your weekly income to £201.05 if you’re single

and you have under £10,000 in savings...you can have more savings but £1 is deducted for each thousand.

I should say they won’t normally need it. They usually need to be earning over £123 a week.

Of course. But if the main caregiver is working, they won’t need it. And that’s usually why grandparents are helping out.