State Pension For Married Women

margaretclare

Hello ryscar10

Yes, it was a 'choice' to pay reduced contributions as 7DWE rightly says, but equally, the implications of that choice were not made clear to very many people.

7DWE's employer was enlightened, responsible and made her aware of the full implications. From what I've heard talking to other women, such employers were few and far between. One woman said she had told her employer at the time that she wished to continue paying full contributions after her marriage, but the wages clerk had ignored her wish because 'that was what you do'. So, years later, that woman finds herself with an inadequate pension. Of course, she should have checked her salary slips but then, a lot of people didn't and a lot of people have said to me that they didn't even know how to read their wage slips! I used to read mine assiduously to keep an eye on tax being paid, but many people didn't.

It really was 'what you do', a widespread assumption. There were no leaflets available, no publicity pointing out the pros and cons. I'll tell you what happened to me. When I got married, 53 years ago almost exactly, we moved to his home town and lived with his parents (the housing shortage of the time was dire, and this is what many young folks did). I got a job that first week and I called in to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance to change to the 'small stamp'. I knew about it, you see, because I'd been told 'that was what you did'. It was a question of filling in a form but the officer behind the counter did not explain at all what was involved. So when I got a job the small contribution applied.

I couldn't stand living with in-laws in a small bungalow, tensions rose, my young husband was caught between two women - his mother and his bride. What with one thing and another I walked out of there - it was a matter of weeks only. By June I was back at home and wondering what to do with the rest of my life. Before my marriage I'd been a civil servant in the Ministry of Labour and National Service (now JobCentres) and I knew about claiming unemployment benefit. So I went along to where I used to work and I met my former colleagues. They put me straight on a lot of things, explained that if I carried on with the smaller contribution, over time I'd not only not qualify for a pension but I wouldn't be able to claim unemployment or sickness benefit - ever! I changed back again pretty damn quick. That September I started training as a student nurse.

But you can see from this, that it was such a widespread belief that 'it was what you do' and I have heard many many women say that over the years 'oh it's just what you do'. It's also true that some women, having made the choice in the first place, refused to change back because they liked the extra money in their pocket. This is particularly true after April 1978 when the choice was removed for any woman marrying after that date. In my later years at work I was laughed at many times for paying full NI contributions and also for paying into the NHS pension scheme. 'Don't you need the money now rather than later?' I can guarantee that those women are not laughing now.

It all goes back to Lord Beveridge I'm afraid, and his 1942 report which stated that women were not expected to be in the work-force or earn their own pension provision because 'she has other duties' and he spelled out those duties: 'replenish the race'.

But that brings us up to the present day and I am not aware of any campaigns being mounted to rectify the obvious injustice. Your mum is not the only one by any means. Women were misinformed, but it was the prevailing attitude for several decades. I myself lobbied for 20 years about women's earned income being treated as their husband's for tax purposes, and individual taxation did not come in until 1990. These attitudes have been very slooow to change.

I'm a member of the English Democrats Party which is centre-right, if anything (although our motto is not left, not right, just English) and we are in favour of justice for all pensioners and a decent income for those who have worked to make this country a success. But as we are a long way from gaining any power we are not in a position to write a detailed policy on this.

Sorry I can't offer practical help!

chesky369

Ryscar, you must get your mother to find out if she's entitled to Pension Credit. Many people of her (our) age are entitled to it but either don't know about it, or think they're too proud to claim benefits. Make sure your mum checks with her local CAB or Age Concern. Not 100% sure but I think they bring payments up to approx. £130 per week.

chesky369

PS I realise she won't be able to claim for a couple of years yet (until she retires) but if it looks positive, then at least it will put her mind at ease.