State Pension Dependant Allowance for wife.

[Silvabod]

My wife is 9 years younger than me, and (like me) no longer working. She is 56. My State pension includes �52 a week for her as a "dependant" (despite us being legally married).
She has no income, and doesn't qualify for any State or other benefit, due to our marital status.

Is this �52 a fixed allowance, or is it a calculation which can be queried?

If she was aged 60 now, we would both get State pensions, so our joint "retirement" income would be some �30 a week more (after deducting the �52 "dependant" allowance).

It's only her age that reduces our income.
We have the same living costs to pay, whether she's 56 or 66 - that �30 a week difference is significant

[buildersmate]

Are you sure about your assertion that she would get a single full Basic State Pension in her own right if she was 60 now? To do that she would have to have at least 39 qualifying years of NI (from years working or from NI credits for pension purposes due to looking after children).

In any event the above comment becomes academic because after 2010 all the rules of the game change. The good news is that after 2010 she only needs 30 qualifying years for a full Basic State Pension (or a proportion thereof for fewer years), but the bad news is she is impacted by this raising of the age of retirement for females for receipt of Basic State Pension. She will formally retire at age 63 something (you can find this out on the pensions service website by keying in her birthdate).

I guess the Government's position is that she could actually be working now if she chose (but I'm not setting up to be a Government spokesperson).

[bednobs]

Why isn't she working? if it's because she can but simply dosen't want to then i'm afraid she cant expect any help. if she is ill for example, there may be disability benefits she can claim

[factor-fiction]

You say "It's only her age that reduces our income".

I'm in my forties and I don't get a pension either, and my children have been told they're not eligible yet either.. How unfair that we have to wait until we are at least 65 to get our pension- as you say, "it's only our age that reduces our income".

I suppose we'll all have to continue earning and paying our way for a while longer. Or if working is absolutely out of the question for you and your wife you can see what benefits you are eligible for. There is a wbsite that can tell you what you may be entitled to. Or you can always look for some part time work to supplement your pension. Or if you own a house, trade down a bit.

[themas]

I don't understand your figures, & it is not normal for a dependant's allowance to be added to your pension unless there are specific circumstances such as disabilities.

If the two of you are not disabled, have no other income & no savings then you should be on Pension Credit, which is a means tested benefit to top up the state pension. The total amount you should get is around �189 p. wk.. including the state pension. This will not change when she is 60 (unless the Governement change the rules of course).

[THECORBYLOON]

The standard pension rate is �54.35 for a dependent if you are entitled to the full Basic State Pension. If you qualify for only a percentage of the Basic rate, you will get the same percentage of the increase. The reason yir wife may get more when she retires is it will be based upon her contributions.

As for the possibility of Pension Credits, if you go here, http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncre dit/calculator/calculate.asp you can answer some questions online and it will work out yir likely entitlement.

[buildersmate]

Themas - the reason why Silvabod and spouse cannot get �189 per week is because the spouse is not yet 60.
That is the figure the couple will be entitled when spouse reaches 63 and a bit (not 60 - because of the impending change for women in 2010).
Silvabod, I trust that between the 5 answers, you can now see how this works (or doesn't). State retirement benefits are for folks of state retirement age. You are able to get the 'extra' �52 because your wife chooses not to work and you are of state retirement age. But your wife does not acquire benefits in her own right until age 63ish.

[Silvabod]

Corbyloo, Buildersmate, thank you.
Just to clarify a couple of points -
Under the "new" rules, adding actual and "Home Responsibility" (childcare) years results in a contribution record exceeding 30 years for my wife.

Correction to original post - as stated by Corbyloo I do currently get �54.35 p.w (apologies, mis-keyed it).

Thanks also for the "calculator" link - it looks like I MIGHT qualify for a little help.

In response to comments from others - I was made redundant/retired early, after 41 years at work, during which time I had just ONE WEEK of State benefit (unemployment). I've paid my dues in full, which in part supported those who can't or won't.
I'm now seeking advice as to what is rightfully due to me, not attempting to rip off the State.

We've raised 3 kids - our choice that they had a full-time mother, and educational opportunities which were denied to me. Penalty - we lived modestly on (and within) one "below national average" income.
All 3 have earned UNI degrees, two with honours, and all 3 are working, living their own lives.

We own our house, and have no debts. I bought at the top of the housing boom late 70's (with interest rate at 15%). It had taken me 15 years to save the 25% deposit.
By careful forward planning and budgeting, I repaid the mortgage before my redundancy. That planning is now paying off - we have no rent to pay out of my pensions,only utilities,

That's the benefit of an excruciatingly poor background, born during the war. Instead of wallowing in poverty and looking for easy hand-outs, a self-respecting person can work, live modestly, save and improve themselves.

Alas! a lesson lost on the young. Only one of my three kids has inherited this life lesson. The other two are learning the hard way, have substantial and unnecessary debts, thanks to the "plastic" and "must have" culture.

[sara3]

you may want to see if you're entitled to any Pension Credits. it's a means tested benefit, and there's no harm in finding out.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/D oItOnlineByCategory/DG_073267

best of luck :o)

[sara3]

oops.. I see that was already suggested.. sorry :o(

[Silvabod]

Thanks, Sara - (and Corbyloo) - have now filled in the form for on-line "pension credit" forecast, don't qualify, to be honest, didn't think we would (occupational pension + State pension)

Original question was purely and simply querying the level of "dependant" allowance, and is answered.

End of subject for me, though others may well benefit from the thread.

[themas]

buildersmate - It's academic for this thread, but you can get pension credit if one of a couple is 60+ & the other is under 60.