Advice about government state penstion?

Question

My husband is 61yrs old and never lost a day's work in his life. I am almost 59 yrs. My husband has not a pension through his firm. Took out Private Pension which has literally 'went down the tubes' as have many others. His state pension forecast shows he should get approx. £200 per wk at 65 yrs. My state pension shows I should get just a little under £100 per week. We thought therefore this would be our joint income if he retired, plus a very small private pension. However, a friend who is usually knowlegeable in such matters actually laughed at us and said we will not recieve anything like this from the state and more likely to be something like £130 per wk between the 2 of us. I am now a bit worried with how we could survive on that. Is this correct?: Both of us have worked almost all our lives.

Answer 1

This is a useful link. http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_over_sixty.htm
In fact, as I understand it, the pension you might receive yourelf as of early in 2009 will be higher than the additional pension that your husband receives in your name once he retires (your chunk of his pension). That means that instead of adding your pensions together, you have to find out what the joint pension will be, as it will be less. But don't forget SERPS -- the earnings related on top of your basic pension. Has your knowledgeable friend taken that into account?
Sadly, your private pension is taxable. A lot of us forget that when doing our sums.

Answer 2

All State Pensions are also taxable over a certain limit if you are under 65. Your joint pension should be well above £130, the Pensions Service will give you the correct figures.

Answer 3

You can now possibly claim Pension Credit to top up to what the government sets as the minimum level of income if your pensions do not come up to that. You can phone them and they're usually quite helpful.

Answer 4

Pension must be readily given to those who are entitled because they spent the best of their lives in the military and served the country well.