I have been online and got an estimate of my state pension. My retirement age will be 66 ( a good few years away yet), but the figure say that I won't get the full amount of the new flat rate pension, because I have previously been in a works pension with a period of something called 'contracted out'. This is despite me having 36 qualifying years (the new minimum being 35 years in order to get the full pension).
Even though I've paid more in, in pure monetary terms than my wife, she will get the full amount, because she has never had a private pension, until just last year. Doesn't seem to make sense. I'm glad she will be getting more, don't get me wrong, but this latest set of rules is like moving the goal posts. Something to be aware of for others! Even worse because my private pension is 'distressed' to say the least.....
