Reverting from married to 2 single pensions?

legitfromtheman

does anyone know if it is possible to claim a married couples pension and then revert to two single pensions once the other person has also eached retirement age

thanks in advance...

margaretclare

Hello

I don't quite know what you mean. AFAIK there is no such thing as a 'married couple's pension'. Each person is entitled to a pension depending on whether he/she has paid enough contributions. Some married women have not paid enough and they are able to claim through their husband's contributions. They can only do this when he reaches retirement age, 65 at present. They get 60% of what he gets.

HTH

EdInvestor

It is possible for a male state pensioner over 65 to claim a dependant's pension for a wife under state retirement age.This would be set at a level of 60% of his pension.When his wife gets to state pension age she would receive this money directly.

Another example of the discrimination against women state pensioners thankfully about to be phased out.

legitfromtheman

EdInvestor wrote: »

It is possible for a male state pensioner over 65 to claim a dependant's pension for a wife under state retirement age.This would be set at a level of 60% of his pension.When his wife gets to state pension age she would receive this money directly.

Another example of the discrimination against women state pensioners thankfully about to be phased out.

just to clarify, assming both husband and wife have paid enough national insurance, would the wife upon reaching retirement age qualify for a full state pension in her own right. ie be promoted from 60% (dependant's pension) to 100% (her own state pension)?

Thankyou both for your helpful replies

EdInvestor

legitfromtheman wrote: »

just to clarify, assming both husband and wife have paid enough national insurance, would the wife upon reaching retirement age qualify for a full state pension in her own right. ie be promoted from 60% (dependant's pension) to 100% (her own state pension)?

Yes.When she reaches state pension age she can choose a pension based on her own conts or one based on his, whichever is the higher.

legitfromtheman

Thanks for your advice. Thats helped clear up one thing at least...