What was state pension in 2009

It's a personal decision whether to do so and there are pros and cons to consider. In general, you're likely to be worse off financially if you're aged 44 or over and contract out into a personal or stakeholder pension, or if you're 49 or over and contract out through a defined contribution occupational pension scheme. You'll find more information and a useful contracting out planner at the Pensions Advisory Service.

This is the "minimum income guarantee". Finding out if you are entitled to these credits is a complex and messy calculation. It depends on how much other income or savings you have. You can apply for pension credit or check how much you might get at the Pension Service or by calling If you're over 75, you can get a free TV licence.

If you're over 79, you can get a free passport. What will the state give me? One in two of the UK population is likely to retire on little more that the state pension.

If someone isn't entitled to the full Basic State Pension based on their own NIC record, they may be able to use their current, former or deceased spouse or civil partner's NI record to improve their entitlement, subject to certain conditions. But this can be a very complex area. Thankfully, GOV. UK has a tool to help determine if someone can improve their State Pension entitlement based on someone else's NI record. S2P accrual ceased on 6 April Those reaching State Pension age after 5 April will get the New State Pension - but the amount of any Basic and Additional State Pension built up before 6 April is taken into account when calculating their 'foundation amount' for the purposes of New State Pension entitlement.

The amount of S2P an individual accrued was based on the amount of Class 1 NICs paid or treated as paid on earnings between the lower earnings limit and the upper accrual point or the upper earnings limit for tax years before 6 April And it's introduction extended eligibility to include certain carers and individuals with long-term illness or disability.

Individuals didn't normally accrue any S2P for tax years in which they had contracted out of S2P. But if their earnings were under the low earnings threshold in a tax year, they were eligible for a top-up amount of S2P for that year. It should be noted that eligible individuals who earned less than the low earnings threshold were treated as if they had earnings equal to the low earnings threshold for the purpose of calculating S2P.

Each of these band earnings is revalued each year up to the last full tax year before State Pension age in line with the increase in national average earnings.

Any S2P accrued up to 5 April was taken into account when calculating the individual's 'foundation amount' for the purposes of the New State Pension. Contracting out Individuals normally didn't accrue any S2P for tax years in which they were contracted out of S2P.

But if they earned less than the low earnings threshold in a tax year, they accrued a top-up amount of S2P for that year. Jane reached State Pension age on 1 April As Jane reached State Pension age before 6 April , 'N' had to be calculated to work out the percentage accrual rates that applied. State Pension forecast Calculations could be very complex. UK, or using form BR A widow, widower or surviving civil partner may be able to inherit up to half of their late husband, wife or civil partner's S2P, provided they don't remarry or form a new civil partnership before they reach State Pension age.

This only applies if the marriage or civil partnership began before 6 April and the deceased either:. UK has a tool to help determine if someone can improve their State Pension entitlement based on someone else's record. The limit doesn't include any State Pension top up that may have been secured. On 6 April , it was replaced by S2P. Employees who paid Class 1 NICs on earnings between the lower earnings limit and the upper earnings limit in any tax year between 6 April and 5 April were able to build up a SERPS entitlement.

However, their entitlement is reduced possibly to nothing if they contracted out of SERPS during this time. To calculate this:. Where someone can inherit some SERPS, the amount that can be claimed depends on when the husband, wife or civil partner reach State Pension age, as detailed in the table below:.

The limit doesn't include any State Pension top up. The Graduated Retirement Benefit scheme was the first State scheme to provide earnings related pensions on top of the Basic State Pension. The service is safe and secure and there is an online helpdesk on textphone: to help you through the process if you have any difficulty. Phone To claim over the phone call the Pension Service claim line on textphone: Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm except public holidays.

Post You can also claim by form. You can download the forms from GOV. Get a State Pension estimate. Apply for your State Pension online.

Back to top. Postcode Please enter a valid postcode Submit. Basic State Pension before What is the basic State Pension? Can I claim the State Pension? When can I claim my pension?