Govt confirms simplified flat-rate state pension

Speaking in Parliament this afternoon, he confirmed the weekly payment would stand at £144, plus inflation increases between now and 6 April 2017. The current full state pension is £107.45 per week, but this can rise to £142.70 with top ups from pension credit and the state second pension. The new flat-rate state pension will mean people will work longer to get full benefits - workers will have to contribute 35 years' worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions, rather than 30. Anyone who has not paid NI contributions for at least ten years will not qualify for the enhanced stat...