Safe haven in the storm – plan for the future
In an ever changing world, it’s important to think ahead and plan for the future.
If you’re over 50 you’ll probably be thinking about your future and your retirement and you will also be bombarded by advice. Here at Silversurfers we like to cut through all the noise out there and give you some straightforward tips.
You may be aware that the State Pension has changed recently. It’s important to keep track of how much State Pension you could receive, as it can be the cornerstone of your future financial planning.
However, not everyone will get the same pension amount because the new State Pension is normally based on your own National Insurance record.
Get to know your State Pension
It’s easy to check how much State Pension you could get online. See our tips panel to make sure you have all the support information you need.
Here you can see an online forecast of your State Pension amount and the age when you will receive it.
You can use this service as a way to ensure you can accurately plan for your future retirement and know what your financial situation will be.
A few facts and figures
| Are you eligible for the new state pension? | If you are a man born on or after 6 April 1951 or a woman born on or after 6 April 1953 then you will receive the new State Pension.
If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you’ll get the State Pension under the old rules instead. |
| How much is the State Pension? | In the 2016-2017 tax year, the full new State Pension is £155.65 a week. Over £8,000 a year.
However, not everyone will get the same amount. |
| How is my pension calculated?
Take a look here: |
Your pension is normally calculated based on your National Insurance contributions.
If you paid National Insurance before 6 April 2016, this will be used to calculate your ‘starting amount’. |
| Can I add to my pension? | Yes, if your ‘starting amount’ is less than the full amount, you will be able to add to it through further years on your National Insurance record, until you reach the full amount or your State Pension age, whichever comes first. |
| How many years National Insurance contributions do I need? | You’ll usually need a minimum of 10 years to qualify. These can be spread out and don’t have to be 10 years in a row. |
Tips for checking your pension online (call out panel)
- Go to www.gov.uk/check-state-pension
- You will be given 2 options to log in – the easiest option is to use government gateway. (If you already have a government gateway ID for your personal tax account, you can use this, but if you have a business ID you’ll need to get a personal ID)
- It’s simple to register, you need to enter a few personal details such as you date of birth, national insurance number, and your home or mobile number (make sure you’re near your phone as you will be sent a security code to enter)
- You also need to enter some details from either your passport, P60 or a recent payslip
- All your data is held securely, and once you’ve registered it’s quicker and easier to log in again.
Latest posts by Silversurfer's Editor (see all)
- The Queen – her life in pictures as she celebrates her 92nd birthday - April 21, 2018
- Back-Roads Touring brings the small group experience to Asia - April 19, 2018
- Tafika embarks upon an exciting adventure with fellow release-phase orphan, Batoka - April 18, 2018
- Win ONE of TEN copies of The Sapphire Widow - April 17, 2018
- Why Kim left a gift in her Will for dementia research - April 16, 2018
Next up...
Leave a Comment!
Community Terms & Conditions
Content standards
These content standards apply to any and all material which you contribute to our site (contributions), and to any interactive services associated with it.
You must comply with the spirit of the following standards as well as the letter. The standards apply to each part of any contribution as well as to its whole.
Contributions must:
be accurate (where they state facts); be genuinely held (where they state opinions); and comply with applicable law in the UK and in any country from which they are posted.
Contributions must not:
contain any material which is defamatory of any person; or contain any material which is obscene, offensive, hateful or inflammatory; or promote sexually explicit material; or promote violence; promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or infringe any copyright, database right or trade mark of any other person; or be likely to deceive any person; or be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence; or promote any illegal activity; or be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety; or be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person; or be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person; or give the impression that they emanate from us, if this is not the case; or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act such as (by way of example only) copyright infringement or computer misuse.
Nurturing a safe environment
Our Silversurfers community is designed to foster friendships, based on trust, honesty, integrity and loyalty and is underpinned by these values.
We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
Log in to comment
You need to be logged in to interact with Silversurfers. Please use the button below if you already have an account.
LoginNot a member?
You need to be a member to interact with Silversurfers. Joining is free and simple to do. Click the button below to join today!
Join