What happens if I am not entitled to the basic State Pension?

The basic State Pension depends on your National Insurance contributions. So if you have not paid, or you have not been treated as having paid, or you have not been credited with enough contributions, you will not get any State Pension. But you can get a ‘non-contributory’ State Pension (one that you haven’t contributed to) if you are 80 or over (see the next section).

What happens if I am 80 or over and don’t have a State Pension?

There is a non-contributory State Pension for people aged 80 or over. This State Pension is set at 60% of the basic State Pension, and we will pay this to you if you:

• live in Great Britain at the time you claim;
• are 80 or over;
• meet the residence conditions (you have lived in Great Britain for a total of 10 years or more in any continuous period of 20 years after your 60th birthday); and
• have no basic State Pension, or have less than 60% of the full rate.

You can get more information from your nearest social security office or Jobcentre (details are in your phone book).

What happens if I am widowed?

If you are widowed, you may be able to get a State Pension from your late spouse (husband or wife). For details, please see A guide to State Pensions (NP46). Click here for details about how you can get a copy of this guide. There is also information in this guide about inheriting an additional State Pension.