Many people with 44-49 years of NI contribution records are losing out on Government Pensions. The date of 04/04/2010 seems to be the break off point to receive a reduced or full pension. Some friends of mine receive a full pension despite them often only contributing 35 years to DWP, but meet the criteria by date of birth. People like me who were born too early do not receive a full pension despite meeting the 30 years and the latter 35 years criteria.
Some questions I should like answered are:
1. How many people have fallen into this grouping?
2. What would be the cost of paying everyone who has a shortfall a full pension?
3. What would it take for the DWP to seriously review this unfair system?
In my case I have calculated that had I been born 2 weeks later I would be £3,000- £3,500 better off. My representations to my local MP and the Dept of Work and Pensions have been met with “pay 6 more years in NI contributions to get a full pension”.
If this criterion applied to everyone then I would accept the fact that I needed to contribute the extra 6 years. Working on the principal that 35 years is currently needed to get a full pension, and then paying the extra NI payments is not the issue. I would be interested in the opinions of others who are in the same position as me.
K.C.E. Carroll, Ashford, Kent
