Pensions Bill

Written evidence from Joy Palmer (PB 09)

Dear Sirs

Having worked for almost 40 years, full time, taking no time off for children and paying full National Insurance Contributions for over 35 years, I was dismayed when I found out that I had missed being paid my state pension at the age of 60 years by just a few months. I thought this new system was going to come into play in instalments, gradually by age.  This is not the case, I was excluded and there is no phased in period going to take place.  I then was even more disappointed, en-raged even, when I recently received a letter from the DWP, telling me that I will now not receive my pension until I am 66 years old, again no phasing in gradually to this date, just not being paid until I am 66.

 As you can imagine, I find this more than un-fair.  My concern now is with the new 'flat rate' system.  Under the old rules, at my pension age I would receive both the State Pension and also the Additional State Pension. I have an on-line quote from the DWP dated September 2011, which quotes that my pension, with the payable additional pension forecast shows that I would receive approximately £176.77 at my retirement pension date of August 2020. 

I realise that now my pension date will be August 2021, but can you assure me that I will be paid it at the full rate of approx £177 rather than the flat rate of £144?  I feel I am entitled to this having paid in full to the system, without a break, for so many years.

 The Minister for work and pensions, Steve Webb, did say during a debate on 'Women's Hour', that  'If the old rules would have given you more, then you will be paid that amount, not less'.

 Am I correct in believing that this means I will get paid the higher amount?

 As you can imagine, I am very unhappy anyway, firstly looking forward to receiving my pension at the age of 60, then being told it would be phased in to when I was 65, then that not happening, then being told now that I won't get my pension until I am 66.  I really hope that I am now not going to be penalised for working full time for so long and paying into the system for so long, by being paid at a reduced rate of £144.

I would welcome your comments and hope you will bring this issue up in any discussions you may have with members of the government when women's pensions are being discussed.  There must be thousands of other women in the same position as myself.

June 2013