I have worked over 20 years for the NHS. No pension for any previous job (apart from the State Pension), and I have worked for well over 40 years. I am entitled to pension credit!!!! Not my fault that my job paid peanuts (and didn't get monkeys, we all worked our socks off, no payment for overtime, etc etc.). In fact, I have never earned more than �19,000 per annum in my entire life and that was with 4 - yes four - you overpaid banking type persons - jobs. One fulltime and 3 part-time. The only way at the time that I could make ends meet. Unfortunately now, since my retirement, ends aren't being met. Especially as my bank(with whom I have had an account for over 15 years) has withdrawn my overdraft. I really don't know how we will survive. Certainly we can't afford to 'heat and eat' this winter, even with the �250 winter allowance. I am still aware (and grateful) that this 'recession' is nowhere near as awful as that in the early 90's. Interest rates are slightly lower than the 15% that applied at the time!