Susan asks:

I saw Sarah on the BBC talking about claiming a state pension using your husband's National Insurance contribution record. I am due to draw my state pension from January 2011 but my husband will not receive his until 2014. Can I still use his National Insurance contributions record or is it not possible because he is due to reach state pension age after me?

A pension based on a husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s National Insurance record is called a Category B pension (as opposed to a Category A pension, which is based on your own National Insurance record).  It’s possible to claim a Category B pension if your own Category A pension is less than 60% of your spouse’s basic state pension. 

However, to claim a Category B pension, both husband and wife must have reached their state pension age.  So in your case, I'm afraid that you will not be able to claim a Category B pension until your husband reaches his state pension age, in 2014. There is more information on state pensions at the Pensions Advisory Service website.

 

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