The basic State Pension is a government-administered pension. It is based on the number of qualifying years gained through National Insurance contributions (NICs) you’ve paid, are treated as having paid or have been credited with throughout your working life.
Do you qualify for the basic State Pension?
If entitled, you can get the basic State Pension when you reach State Pension age. This is 65 for men born on or before 5 April 1959 and 60 for women born on or before 5 April 1950. The State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950 but before 6 April 1955 is rising from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. The State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1955 but before 6 April 1959 is 65. State Pension age will increase for both men and women from age 65 to 68 between 2024 and 2046.
You qualify by building up enough ‘qualifying years’ before State Pension age.
What are qualifying years?
A qualifying year is a tax year where you have sufficient income to pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs), or are treated as having paid or being credited with NICs.
In 2009-2010, you need to have £4,940 or more of such earnings if you are an employee or £5,075 or more if you are self-employed.
How many qualifying years do you need?
Currently men normally need 44, and women normally need 39 qualifying years to get the full basic State Pension.
However, if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010, you will need 30 qualifying years for a full basic State Pension.
To find out more about the State Pension, you can download the leaflet ‘State pensions – your guide’.
If you’ve been a parent or carer
If you haven’t paid enough NICs because you’ve been looking after children or caring for someone long-term, you may be eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection. If you reach State Pension age before 6 April 2010, Home Responsibilities Protection can reduce the number of qualifying years you need to qualify for the basic State Pension.
If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010, Home Responsibilities Protection is being replaced with National Insurance credits. Years of Home Responsibilities Protection built up before 6 April 2010 will count as qualifying years of National Insurance credits.
If you’ve been claiming benefit
If you’ve been receiving certain benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance – ‘contribution’ based (if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions), you’ll have automatically received National Insurance credits for the weeks when you’ve been claiming.
To find out more, contact the NICs Office.
