Pensions - State

[SIRandyraven]

Was reading today about state pension changes.
At the moment you need to make 30 years of NI contributions for a Full State Basic pension. I understand they are increasing this to 35 years in the near future. If you have (like myself) made 31 years of contributions at the age of 51 and I don't plan to work in the UK again, need to make another 4 years worth when the rules change ?

[Peter Pedant]

definitely wait and see !

far too early to commit to 4 y worth conts.

[woofgang]

They keep moving the goalposts. As things stand, I have been told by the DWP that i am entitled to a full pension based on my late husband's contributions and need not buy any more years. THEN the new plans on the government website for flat rate pension said that i wouldn't be, THEN the website changed and said there would be interim arrangements and I would be entitled. The nice folk at the DWP have told me that they are not usually told anything until the new law is actually in force and the pension calculator software comes after that.
As things stand, the new rules and interim arrangements seem to depend on how old you are.

[boxtops]

Does the wbesite give any hint that you might be able to put in a lump sum to make up the difference? If not - better set some money aside yourself from now on, to make up the potential difference in income :-(