Married person's Basic State Pension

[5freemen]

Could you please explain how this works and who gets it? Do all married people get the higher benefit (about �7,000 instead of �4,500?). If my wife has also paid NI does she also get a married person's BSP? or do we get the greater of our single BSP's and one married BSP? If this is the case, if she worked for say 5 years and paid NI then presumably the married BSP is higher. But then she paid NI for 5 years for nothing because we'd have the same pension if she hadn't worked.

Thanks

[Ethel]

It is all explained here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2554675.st m

So, if you and your wife have paid full contributions you will get �151 per week BETWEEN you.

If your wife hasn't paid enough contributions this is reduced to �120.70 per week.

You can get a State Pension forecast here:
http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/atoz/atozd etailed/rpforecast.asp

[REDDYKENNY]

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