married+single pensions?

Blaster

Hi first time on the site, I am 65 in april and my wife will be 60 in may, if I claim a married couples pension can my wife claim her own pension, she sent for a pension forecast and it is only about £30 as she hasn't paid many contributions, but every bit helps.

seven-day-weekend

I think she can either claim her own OR claim off your contributions, not both.

She will get 60% of yours if she claims off your contributions, which should be a lot more than £30!.

Blaster

Thanks for that, but could she do that if I claim a married couples pension.

seven-day-weekend

There is no such thing as a married couple's pension. If she does not have enough pension of her own she can claim off yours as I have said above . I think this is what people refer to as a married couple's pension.

Blaster

many thanks

jennifernil

If your wife is not working then you can claim an extra amount for her with your own pension, this will be equal to 60% of your basic pension.

As SDW said, when your wife is 60 she can either claim her own pension, or claim on your contributions if that gives her more, which sounds likely.

What then happens is that the extra you were getting then becomes her pension and is paid direct to her. This can be advantageous if you are a taxpayer.