Each country has its own regulations connected with the retirement and pension. It is important to get acquainted with the law applicable at the country we live and work in, even at a young age, so that we can enjoy life at a good level after reaching the retirement age. How is this issue resolved in the UK? Check out below.
Who has the right to get the pension in UK?
In the United Kingdom, all men, who were born before April 6, 1951 and all women, who were born before April 6, 1952 are entitled to receive the state pension. However, the people born on or after these dates may claim the so-called New State Pension.
In order to be entitled to the New State Pension, a person must have social security contributions paid for at least ten qualifying years. To get a full amount of New State Pension, a future pension needs to have 35 qualifying years. A qualifying year means twelve months during which the national insurance contributions were paid, we received social security credits (for example when we were unemployed, took care of a child or an ill family member), we paid NIC contributions voluntarily and the amount of these contributions was high enough for the year to be considered valid from the point of view of the New State Pension regulations.
Can I still work if I receive the State Pension?
Yes, a person who has reached the retirement age and started to receive the state pension does not have to stop working. Such a person may still work full-time on the basis of employment contract or other, more flexible arrangements, they will not have to pay social security premiums any more.
How much do the pensioners get in UK?
Currently the amount of the full basic pension is £164.35 per week. A person, who had gaps in the employment, will not get the whole amount. If the breaks occurred because the person earned too little, was self-employed, their company did not achieve high profits or they lived abroad, it is possible to pay voluntary national insurance contributions. Everyone, who has ever worked in the UK can do it through the website www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension. It is only necessary to create an account.
At the website it is possible to check how much state pension we will get (however we have to remember it is only a forecast, which is subject to change in accordance with the changes of applicable law), the gap years we had in our employment history, the number of years we need to work in order to receive the pension, and the amount of contributions we have to pay to be able to get the full amount of pension.
