Only third of women receiving full state pension

According to the Pensions Advisory Service, only a third of women currently receive the full state pension.

Many women miss out on a full state pension if they stop working or opt to work part-time to bring up their children.

As a result, they are missing out on National Insurance contributions due to leaving the workforce or working in low paid part-time jobs.

However, from 2010, the Government says new reforms will make pensions fairer and more generous for women.

Entitlement to the full state pension is based on the number of National Insurance contribution credits made by workers or those on certain state benefits. This is currently 44 years for men and 39 years for women.

However, men and women who reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 will only need 30 qualifying years to get a full state pension.

According to pensions minister, Angela Eagle, the reforms will mean three quarters of women will start receiving a full state pension.

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