Changes to State Pension - Homemakers
From 6 April 1994, any contribution year spent as a homemaker may be disregarded in the calculation of the yearly average up to a maximum of 20 years. The fact that you do not have any contributions in those years will not affect your entitlement to a pension. It is proposed under the National Pensions Framework, launched in March 2010, to implement a new credit-based system to replace the current system of disregards. The new system will grant credits for time spent homemaking instead of disregards, but the required legislative change has not yet been introduced.
Changes to State Pension from 6 April 2012
There is a change to the number of contributions required to qualify for a State Pension.
What this means for you;
If you were born on or after 6 April 1946 you must have paid at least 520 full-rate contributions.
You can make up the required 520 with high or special rate Voluntary Contributions if you have paid at least 260 full-rate employment contributions.
Note; credits cannot be used to make up the requirement of 520 paid full-rate contributions.
Changes to State Pension from 1 January 2014
There is a change to the qualifying age for State Pension purposes.
What this means for you;
If you were born on or after 1 January 1948 the minimum qualifying State Pension age will be 66.
Changes to State Pension from 1 January 2021
There is a change to the qualifying age for State Pension purposes.
What this means for you;
If you were born on or after 1 January 1955 the minimum qualifying State Pension age will be 67.
Changes to State Pension from 1 January 2028
There is a change to the qualifying age for State Pension purposes.
What this means for you;
If you were born on or after 1 January 1961 the minimum qualifying State Pension age will be 68.