joint pensions-I'm outraged.

Andrew4444

I'm actually Mrs Andrew4444! I'm not close to retirement just yet, but have been looking at state pension in readinesss. Have paid full NI stamp all my life, including voluntary contribs during time at home with children and now realise that as hband and wife we will be entitled to a joint pension, that is less than 2 x full pensions.This seems so unjust to me, as I have made the same contribs as hband, if not more. Spoken to others at work, who don't realise this either.Am I wrong to be so cross?Is it a payback for tax credits?

june.elizabeth

I and my husband are retired and do not receive a joint pension we each receive our own full state pension so don't worry. You only receive a joint one (I think) if the woman has not paid her own contributions.

McKneff

Andrew4444 wrote: »

I'm actually Mrs Andrew4444! I'm not close to retirement just yet, but have been looking at state pension in readinesss. Have paid full NI stamp all my life, including voluntary contribs during time at home with children and now realise that as hband and wife we will be entitled to a joint pension, that is less than 2 x full pensions.This seems so unjust to me, as I have made the same contribs as hband, if not more. Spoken to others at work, who don't realise this either.Am I wrong to be so cross?Is it a payback for tax credits?

Mrs Andrew, you are getting upset for nothing, i dont know where you have got your information from but if you have paid full NI stamp all your life or have 30 years (new rule coming in April 2010) worth you will get a full pension in your own right, plus the second state pension.

If you OH has paid full NI stamps for the same period ie 30 years he will get exactly the same. Every pensioner gets a pension in their own right these days. If youhave paid NI for less than this you will get a pro rata pension.

Todays rules are 39 years but as above this Changes in April next year
As a woman who hits 60 in October i have only paid full NI stamp for around 20 years so my pension will be about half ie 39 minus 20 about But i can claim on my husbands contributions albeit only 60% but that gets me about an extra 20£ a month so i will be doing that.

So dont worry, where did you get the idea from or was it some well meaning friend.

McKneff

I dont think you would have needed to pay voluntary contributions while you where at home with children. If you paid full stamp prior to this you would have been credited with NI stamps anyway, I think its called Home Responsibilites or something like that.

McKneff

june.elizabeth wrote: »

I and my husband are retired and do not receive a joint pension we each receive our own full state pension so don't worry. You only receive a joint one (I think) if the woman has not paid her own contributions.

Your right up to a point june elizabeth.

Nowadays If the wife has paid no contributions or less than 60% (which is what has happened in my case) she would be able to claim 60% of her pension from her husbands contributions but this would be paid separely to her
It used to be one payment in the old days when it was normal for women not to work but not now.

seven-day-weekend

As McKneff says, if you have paid full NI Contributions you will get your own full pension, as will your husband. So you will each have your full pension, plus any asscoiated S2P (formerly known as SERPS).

I think you are getting angry over false information!

Andrew4444

Thanks for your replies- just before my post I had rung the Pensions Service on their enquiry line (taken from website: http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/)and asked following question:
If i have paid full contribs all my working life and voluntary contribs during times at home with kids, also whilst self employed, will I have:
A) a full pension in my own right?
Or
Will I receive a joint pension with my hband, which will be less than 2x single pensions?
They told me that the second outcome would be true.
After your helpful answers I am going to call again and ask them a second time, incase there is a mistake.
Thank you.

McKneff

Andrew4444 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies- just before my post I had rung the Pensions Service on their enquiry line (taken from website: http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/)and asked following question:
If i have paid full contribs all my working life and voluntary contribs during times at home with kids, also whilst self employed, will I have:
A) a full pension in my own right?
Or
Will I receive a joint pension with my hband, which will be less than 2x single pensions?
They told me that the second outcome would be true.
After your helpful answers I am going to call again and ask them a second time, incase there is a mistake.
Thank you.

Hello again Mrs A Have a look at the site Saynoto0870 afind an alterntive number, i think the pension service is either an 0845 or 0870 number.
Even if you get an 01 or 02 number its still cheaper and they are open till 8pm. there is also a free phone number wich i have at home but i am at work at the moment.

and whoever told you that at the pension service deserves the sack.
Also ask about the home responsibilities thing also.
regards
Annie

Andrew4444

Thanks McKneff. Have just rung Pension Service again, spoken to different adviser and got completely different story-what she said backs up everything everyone on here has said- we will both get full pensions in our own right.
So, apologies for getting het up over nothing! Getting a pensions forecast to check exactly what I'm entitled to.
Thanks again for your wonderful help all.

kathyr_2

Not sure this is correct. My husband and I receive our own individual pensions. However, we are treated as a married couple when calculating tax credit qualifications.

McKneff

Now you'll have to eat humble pie and go round everyone at work to tell them all

regards
Annie