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State pensions

Rates of State pensions and benefits change every year. The following table shows the current rates of basic State Pension (assuming a full National Insurance contribution record) and the minimum income provided by Pension Credit.

THE BASIC STATE PENSION AND PENSION CREDIT RATES GIVEN HERE ARE THOSE ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS APPLYING IN THE TAX YEAR 2010/2011.

  Weekly Monthly equivalent
BASIC STATE PENSION from age 65 (men) or 60 (women):
One person with a full NI contribution record £97.65 £423.15
Full rate based on a spouse's NI contribution record £156.15 £676.65
Couples who have both paid full National Insurance contribution £97.65 each £423.15 each
PENSION CREDIT guarantees a minimum income from age 60 of at least:
Single person £132.60 £574.60
Couple £202.40 £877.07

You can get a forecast of your State pensions by calling the State Pension forecasting team on 0845 3000 168, or if you have hearing or speech difficulties and have a textphone, on textphone 0845 3000 169 (call rates may vary). Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. You can complete an application form over the phone or ask for the forecast form BR19 to be sent to you. Or you can write to:

State Pension Forecasting Team
Future Pension Centre
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA

You can also complete the form on the Internet using the Directgov website, then print it out and post it in the normal way.

Alternatively, you can also use the State Pension profiler on the Directgov website to get a quick estimate of much basic State Pension you may have built up to date and when you can claim it.

There are changes to the State Pension age which affect women born on or after 6 April 1950. The State Pension age for women is increasing gradually over a ten-year period from April 2010 so that by April 2020 women born on or after 6 April 1955 will not get a State Pension until age 65. For more information on these changes, see the Pension Service guide Pensions for women – What you can get, and when (pdf) or by using the State Pension age calculator on the Directgov website However, the government announced in the June 2010 Budget that it will consult on raising the State Pension age
to 66 from 2016.

The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) produces a series of guides that give basic information on pensions.

  • You can get copies by calling the DWP on 0845 731 3233. The line is open 24 hours a day and call charges may vary.
  • A textphone service is available on 0845 604 0210 (Call rates may vary).
  • You can also order copies of these information guides through the Directgov website.

You can get more information about Pension Credit on the Directgov website or by telephoning 0800 991 234.

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