State pension reduced due to benefit received by spouse?

CorkyOldHorse

My husband has just applied for the state pension. One section of the form seemed to suggest that he may receive a reduced pension, due to the fact that I am in receipt of Incapacity Benefit. Is this correct? I thought that the amount of state pension paid was only affected by the number of full years achieved by the claimant. Many thanks for any help, information or advice.

Peter__2

State pension cannot be affected by other benefits. Benefits can be though, like pension credit.

sleepless_saver

More likely to be that if a spouse is claiming any income related benefits, then those benefits will need to be adjusted (rather than the pension). Benefits not related to income shouldn't be affected.

McKneff

Have to agree wit Peter.

However much he is receiving in state pension it cannot be changed.

Looks like someone is reading it wrong.

CorkyOldHorse

Thanks very much, all of you. I feel somewhat reassured after reading your posts.

safestored4

The rules governing state retirement pensions are complex and forever changing. Rather than rely upon potentially ill informed advice here go to the pensionsadvisoryservice website or ring them on 0845 601 2923 for an informed answer to your enquiry. Hope you both have a long and happy retirement. Cheers.

CorkyOldHorse

Thanks, safestored4, I'll check the website and maybe give them a ring.

margaretclare

CorkyOldHorse wrote: »

My husband has just applied for the state pension. One section of the form seemed to suggest that he may receive a reduced pension, due to the fact that I am in receipt of Incapacity Benefit. Is this correct? I thought that the amount of state pension paid was only affected by the number of full years achieved by the claimant. Many thanks for any help, information or advice.

I could be wrong, but I think that what you have in mind is the idea that he should be getting a 'joint' pension for the two of you and he won't, because you have your own income. Incapacity benefit gives you 'credits' towards your own pension so you won't need to get any pension through your husband's contributions. He will get his own state retirement pension and this cannot be affected by whatever you get. Your incapacity benefit will probably convert seamlessly to your own state pension when you reach the appropriate age.

There's a lot of confusion about this, due to the fact that some people still think they should get retirement pension as a couple, not on their own contributions.

HTH

Dunroamin

safestored4 wrote: »

The rules governing state retirement pensions are complex and forever changing. Rather than rely upon potentially ill informed advice here go to the pensionsadvisoryservice website or ring them on 0845 601 2923 for an informed answer to your enquiry. Hope you both have a long and happy retirement. Cheers.

Hardly ill informed when it's correct.

CorkyOldHorse

Thank you for your reply, margaretclare. My husband and I are both due individual state pensions and are not claiming a joint state pension. It just seemed, from my husband's application form, that his pension might be reduced, due to my present receipt of Incapacity Benefit. We do not have a huge income so are hoping that information already received on this forum is correct!

datostar

CorkyOldHorse wrote: »

Thank you for your reply, margaretclare. My husband and I are both due individual state pensions and are not claiming a joint state pension. It just seemed, from my husband's application form, that his pension might be reduced, due to my present receipt of Incapacity Benefit. We do not have a huge income so are hoping that information already received on this forum is correct!

It is correct, without a doubt. By the way, there is no such thing as a joint state pension. They are paid to individuals based on their individual contributions. Confusion may arise when a female recipient does not qualify for the full pension. If she is receiving less than 60% in her own right, her pension will increase to 60% of the full pension once the male recipient reaches pensionable age. Joint income, however, is taken into account if the possibility of pension credit etc. arises and incapacity benefit could affect that.