The state pension system changed on April 6th 2010, but some women will still lose out
Figures show that only half of women receive the full basic state pension, while the vast majority of men do and reforms due in April won’t help everyone.
Updated 6th April 2010.
There’s no escaping the fact that the basic state pension system treats women as second-class citizens. Government figures show that only 45-50% of women currently retire on a full basic state pension. That’s because the state pension system works well if you earn throughout your life (and above a minimum level of income), but it’s not so good if you don’t. Currently, anyone who earns less than £97 a week doesn’t earn a penny towards their state pension and despite the reforms introduced in April 2010, many of which will help women, that won’t change.
The 6th of April saw a major shake up of the state pensions system.
On April 6th this year, there were a number of reforms to state pensions which will have the biggest effect on women.
Updated 6th April 2010.
While the debate about how much we're saving for our pensions and whether we'll need to work for longer rages on, a change in the state pension age that will affect women, is due to be introduced. Women have been able to claim their state pension from the age of 60, but from April 6th 2010 it gradually increases to 65. It's part of a wider pensions shake-up, some of which should leave women better off.
Claiming your state pension should be straightforward and you have a choice about when you take it
At less than £100 a week for a single person, the basic state pension is hardly a fortune, but it's not something you can afford to miss out on. The process for claiming it shouldn't involve more than filling in a form or making a phone call. Until April 6th 2010, women were eligible for the state pension at the age of 60, but the state pension age is gradually rising to 65. Meanwhile, if you can manage without your state pension, you can put off claiming it, which means you'll get more money when you do ask for it to be paid.
