State pension set to increase for married women next year – check entitlement | Personal Finance | Finance
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State pension payments are vital for many older people, and increases are looked forward to. The sum usually increases each year in accordance with the Triple Lock mechanism, but this has been temporarily suspended. The earnings element of the Triple Lock has been removed as it was feared it could make the sum increase by more than what is affordable.
With the rate of inflation or 2.5 percent left, it has been confirmed the 2022/23 increase will be at 3.1 percent next April.
The state pension is split into two tiers – the older scheme known as the basic state pension, and the other scheme the “new” state pension.
The older scheme is available to women born before April 6, 1953 and men born before April 6, 1951.
Those who are claiming under the basic state pension should also pay attention when it comes to increases.
READ MORE: ‘Really good news for pension savers’ as new rules come into force
Currently, married women claiming on this basis would be receiving £82.45 per week.
But 60 percent of £141.85 is calculated at £85.11, and thus this rise is expected for those eligible, next year.
As a result, these individuals can expect to receive just over £340 worth of support each month.
To be in receipt of the full basic state pension, a person will usually need a total of 30 qualifying years of National Insurance (NI) contributions or credits – or 35 years for the full new state pension.
If National Insurance contributions are less than this, then a person can expect to receive less than the full sum.
People who are not receiving the full sum or who are not eligible for the basic state pension could get the “top up” known as the Married Woman’s Pension.
Married women will need to contact the Pension Service to receive the top up if:
- A spouse reached state pension age before March 17, 2008
- A married woman reached state pension age before their spouse
Becky O’Connor, Head of Pensions and Savings at Interactive Investor, commented on the state pension announcement.
She said: “Many pensioners will be disappointed with this rise which doesn’t cover the rises they are experiencing in real time in the cost of heating and eating.
“They will be left worrying about how they will manage their bills over the coming year.
“It will be cold comfort to them that the inflation they are struggling with now will be reflected in next year’s uprating.
“The decision to scrap the triple lock for a year proved controversial, despite being justified by extremely high post-pandemic earnings figures, amid rising inflation since September.”
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