State pension changes

JSH333

Hi all,

Hoping to get some info for my mum, sorry if it's a little long winded. I've not found much info for her situation.

She's currently 62 and is entitled to her state (and only) pension in January 2016. As it stands she would get the maximum state pension plus the pension credit top up totalling £148pw.

If she were to defer claiming her pension for say, 5 weeks, giving her a 1% bonus. Would this in effect be cancelled out due to her pension credit being reduced which I assume does not exceed £148 in total?

My next question would be if she were to defer until after the 6th of April 2016 when the new pensions come into effect. Would she then be entitled to the new scheme given she applies after this date, or would she get the current system regardless how long she defers due to her date of birth?

Finally last question, if she was indeed eligible for the new system as stated above, would any defer 'bonus' then be applicable because the pension credit top up no longer exists?

Thanks in advance!

xylophone

She will not be entitled to the new state pension if her SPA falls in January 2016.

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/overview

See also https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/372517/dwp024-102014.pdf

JSH333

xylophone wrote: »

She will not be entitled to the new state pension if her SPA falls in January 2016.

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/overview

See also https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/372517/dwp024-102014.pdf

It would appear then, there is really no incentive (as far as the pension is concerned) to defer at all.

I'll recommend she just applies as soon as she's eligible.

Mojisola

JSH333 wrote: »

She's currently 62 and is entitled to her state (and only) pension in January 2016. As it stands she would get the maximum state pension plus the pension credit top up totalling £148pw.

If she were to defer claiming her pension for say, 5 weeks, giving her a 1% bonus. Would this in effect be cancelled out due to her pension credit being reduced which I assume does not exceed £148 in total?

She'll only get topped up to £148 so there's no point deferring.

Make sure she claims anything else she's entitled to like help with rent and Council Tax.

Murphybear

I believe (under the old system) you cannot defer state pension and claim Pension Credit at the same time