State pension and spouse

Clive1947

datostar wrote: »

BTW, she won't have to claim the increase. My wife is a couple of years older than me and has been drawing SRP for almost 7 years now at a rate of just under 40%. Mine starts this December and I've been assured that the increase to hers will be automatic and that they'll write to her to tell her so as soon as the payment of mine actually starts. I made my claim over the phone and the DWP lady spent quite a lot of time explaining the advantages of deferring the pension. I explained the advantages of the 'bird in the hand' principle and we settled on immediate payment. Probably all the male baby boomers hitting 65 this year and next! They'll also tell you all about pension credit so if you're really going to be on the breadline feeding your wife on scraps you might be able to get some of that too.

No, I won't get pension credit, I am retiring 6 months early and am taking my pension from work, but won't get SRP till next April, by then I will have too much money coming in for any other benefits, not an enormous amount, just enough to keep the wolf from the door. Well my door anyway, I'll take the front door the wife can have the back.:rotfl:

McKneff

Have you actually had a pension forecast from the DWP, you may be eligiable for SP2 etc. I was pleasantly surprised when my oh
and I were entitled to it, for both of us it was about an extra £50 a week. Its to do with Serps and opting out I think.

You wife could do the same, you can do this over the phone.

Theres a free phone number kicking about somewhere or look at saynoto0870 for it.

patanne

Your wife should definitely get a pension forecast as both I & McKneff have suggested. Your wife only needs I believe 30 years for a full pension & may well have 12 years from children & 8 years from working part time & 2 to 3 years from 16 onwards. Please check it out!