Useful Information
Benefits, Pensions and Council Tax
THE STATE PENSION AGE FOR WOMEN IS CHANGING
Between April 2009 and January 2012, the DWP will be writing to approximately 1.9m women to explain these changes. women affected will receive a personalised letter telling them the date when they will be entitled to receive their State Pension, and a leaflet containing additional information about the further changes that will make State Pensions more generous and widely available, and signposts to sources of further information. for further information see www.the pensionservice.gov.uk
State Pension and Pension Credit rate: how much can you get?
There are different types of State Pension and the rate you get depends on your circumstances. Your eligibility for Pension Credit also depends on your personal situation. Find out how much State Pension you can get and what the rate for Pension Credit is in 2012 - 2013.
Basic State Pension - what is the rate?The following table gives a simple overview of the maximum basic State Pension you can get.
| Circumstances | Basic State Pension rate per week, for 2012 - 2013 |
|---|---|
| Single man or woman | £107.45 |
| Married man or woman or civil partner (who qualify with their own National Insurance contributions) | £107.45 |
| Married man, woman or civil partner (using his wife's, her husband's or their civil partner's National Insurance contributions record) | £64.40 |
Your basic State Pension is based on the number of qualifying years you have built up from National Insurance contributions.
To find out more about qualifying for the basic State Pension, see ‘Qualifying for a basic State Pension'.
www.direct.gov.uk How much basic State Pension have I got so far?Use the State Pension profiler tool to work out how much basic State Pension you may have built up to date.www.direct.gov.uk
How is the State Pension rate increased each year?the rate of basic State pension is increased form April each yuear by at least the level of growth in average earnings. The current Government's policy is that the basic State pension will increase each year by the highest of:
- growth in average earnings
- prices increases or
- 2.5 per cent
So in 2012-13 the basic State Pension and additional State Pension will rise in line with the Consumer Prices Index.
From April 2011, there will be a ‘triple guarantee' that the basic State Pension will rise by the highest of the following:
- earnings - the average percentage increase in UK wages that year
- prices - the percentage the cost of living increases by that year
- 2.5 per cent
The additional State Pension is sometimes also known as SERPS or the State Second Pension (S2P).
Not everyone can get an additional State Pension and how much you can get depends on your earnings.
See ‘Additional State Pension' to find out more. www.direct.gov.uk
How is the additional State Pension rate increased each year?
Additional parts of the State Pension normally rise in line with the increase in prices. These include:
- the State Second Pension (S2P)
- the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS)
- Graduated Retirement Benefit
- Extra State Pension received for deferring or putting off (deferring) your State Pension claim (also called ‘increments')
Until you reach State Pension age, the S2P or SERPS you have built up will usually increase in line with the growth in average earnings. This is also known as ‘revaluation'.
Over 80 Pension - what is the rate?The Over 80 Pension is a State Pension that is available if you are aged over 80 and have little or no State Pension.
The rate is £61.20 a week, for each person, for 2011-12, if you don't get a basic State Pension. It will also top up your income to £61.20 if you're on a reduced State Pension.
To find out more, see ‘The Over 80 Pension'. www.direct.gov.uk
Pension Credit - what is the rate?If you are a pensioner living in Great Britain, in 2011-12, Pension Credit could top up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum of:
- £137.35 if you are single
- £209.70 if you have a partner
If you are aged over 65 you may also be able to get up to an additional:
- £20.52 a week if you are single
- £27.09 a week if you have a partner
To find out if you might be eligible for Pension Credit see ‘Pension Credit - introduction'.
The age from which you can get Pension Credit is gradually increasing to 65 between April 2010 and April 2020. If you want to know at what age you might be able to claim Pension Credit, see 'Calculating your State Pension age'.
How is the Pension Credit rate increased each year?The Guarantee Credit is usually increased in line with the growth in average UK earnings.
In April 2011 it will rise by at least the same cash amount as the full basic State Pension.
COUNCIL TAX
From 1st April 2009, DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS can be made on the 1st, 10th, 20th and 25th of each month and an option to pay over a 10 or 12 month period. Visit www.southend.gov.uk/counciltax
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DO YOU NEED HELP WITH THE COST OF CANCER
THE MACMILLAN WELFARE BENEFITS ADVICE SERVICE CAN HELP YOU. CALL THE BENEFITS ADVICE LINE 01268 448517.
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