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Basic State Pension

The standard rate of the Basic State Pension for a man or woman with a full National Insurance contribution record is currently £97 a week (for the year 2010/11).

Entitlement is based on qualifying years.  A qualifying year is one when enough NI contributions have been paid or credited.

Men and women reaching their state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 will need a total of 30 qualifying years for a full basic state pension.

Those with fewer than 30 qualifying years will receive a reduced basic state pension.

Each qualifying year gives you an entitlement to 1/30th of the full basic state pension.

From 2011 onwards, the basic state pension will be increased by whichever is the higher of the following:

  • the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
  • the rise in National Average Earnings (NAE)
  • 2.5%