Basic State Pension

The Basic State Pension is a government-administered pension given to qualifying people when they reach State Pension age. To qualify, you must have paid (or have been treated as paid) National Insurance contributions (NICs) for a minimum number of 'qualifying years'.

Qualifying Years

A qualifying year is a tax year where you have earned sufficient income to pay National Insurance Contributions, or are treated as having paid or being credited with NICs. In the 2009-2010 tax year, you need to have £5,075 or more of such earnings if you are self-employed, or £4,940 or more if you are an employee.

However, don't worry if you haven't always worked, as you may still be able to receive credits for periods when you've been out of work, had long-term injuries and illnesses, or been getting Carer's Allowance because you are caring for someone who is seriously sick or disabled. For example, if you receive certain benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit, then you'll automatically receive National Insurance credits for the weeks you've been claiming.

Currently, women normally need 39 qualifying years in order to get the full basic State Pension, whilst men normally need 44 years. However, if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010, you will only require 30 qualifying years for a full basic State Pension.

State Pension Age

You normally receive your state pension at the state pension age; this depends on whether you're male or female, and in which year you were born.

State Pension Age for Men

Date of Birth	State Pension Age
On or before 5 April 1959	65
6 April 1959 - 5 April 1960	65, rising to 66*
6 April 1960 - 5 April 1968	66
6 April 1968 - 5 April 1969	66, rising to 67
6 April 1968 - 5 April 1977	67
6 April 1977 - 5 April 1978	67, rising to 68
On or after 6 April 1978	68

* The pension age gradually increases for those born during this period; for example, if you were born on 6 April 1959, you will receive your pension at the age of 65 years and 1 month; however, if you were born on 14 November 1959, then you will receive you pension at the age of 65 years, 7 months and 22 days.

State Pension Age for Women

Date of Birth	State Pension Age
On or before 5 April 1950	60
6 April 1950 - 5 April 1951	60, rising to 61
6 April 1951 - 5 April 1952	61, rising to 62
6 April 1952 - 5 April 1953	62, rising to 63
6 April 1953 - 5 April 1954	63, rising to 64
6 April 1954 - 5 April 1955	64, rising to 65
6 April 1955 - 5 April 1959	65
6 April 1959 - 5 April 1960	65, rising to 66
6 April 1960 - 5 April 1968	66
6 April 1968 - 5 April 1969	66, rising to 67
6 April 1969 - 5 April 1977	67
6 April 1977 - 5 April 1978	67, rising to 68
On or after 6 April 1978	68

How Much is the Basic State Pension?

The amount you will receive from the Basic State Pension changes each tax year and your individual circumstances may also affect how much you receive per week. For example, if you have fewer than the required qualifying years, you will receive less than the full amount.

In the 2009-2010 tax year, the full basic State Pension is £95.25 per week; this is based on your own or your late husband's, wife's or civil partner's NI contributions. If you are claiming a pension based purely on your living husband's NI contributions, then you will receive a maximum of £57.05 a week.