Wife's Pension

margaretclare

givememoney wrote: »

Hi

I am 61 and receiving my state pension (in my own right) but also I work part time.

I suddenly realised the other day that my husband retired at 65 in December 2008. I am I supposed to claim my share of his pension or was this automatically given to me.

I know I should be aware of this but I am not. I have had a rise in the pension but assumed it was just a rise.

You each claim your own state pension in your own right i.e. based on your own contributions. The only difference is that you were allowed to start claiming it at 60 whereas he had to wait until 65. This is planned to change over the coming years.

djp45

Be_Happy wrote: »

Don't understand why your wife is not claiming her pension. It may be small, but it is hers to take and costs her nothing.

Thanks for the replies and to be honest I thought that she would not be able to claim on mine if she took her own.We will now proceed to claim her £1.40 a week.

Be_Happy

Don't know how far your wife can backdate her pension, but please check this.

When you reach 65 the 60% of your basic pension that she can claim will replace her present small pension. It won't be in addition to it.

Glad the forum has been able to help you.

patanne

If your wife has not been claiming any of her pension since her 60th then she is entiltled to an increase of 1% for every full 5 weeks she hasn't taken it - not a lot in the grand scheme of things (or a lump sum but not sure what the time periods are for that) but every little helps and she has paid for it.

EdInvestor

djp45 wrote: »

We will now proceed to claim her £1.40 a week.

Presumably you have already checked in detail that your wife has been credited with all the NI years she is entitled to, including Home Responsibilities Years when at home looking after children?Presumably if/when she worked, she paid the married woman's stamp? If not, have you looked into buying extra years to boost her entitlement?

margaretclare

EdInvestor wrote: »

Presumably you have already checked in detail that your wife has been credited with all the NI years she is entitled to, including Home Responsibilities Years when at home looking after children?Presumably if/when she worked, she paid the married woman's stamp? If not, have you looked into buying extra years to boost her entitlement?

If she paid the 'married women's stamp' she would not be eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection.