I know, butl who knows ... the government works in strange ways ... but its what they are officially telling people now who want to pay vol contributions, and they say they are also aware it will cause some grief because of the people who are already paying these contributions.

Hi i saw your post and wonder what the tablets were your husband has as i am on atenanol 50mg,can these be got over in spain easily and if so what are the cost per packet of 28 or 56.

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I saw articles in the British press a few weeks ago about the proposal to reduce the number of years needed to 'earn' a full state pension to 30 years (for both men and women). I'll be delighted if it comes to pass as I've already got more than 30 years in, but can't understand how it will be affordable when the government has been telling us for years that we'll all have to work until we're 70 at least to be able to afford to retire.

There is also a huge number of people currently retired and getting a reduced pension due to a inadequate contributions record (predominately women).

If their pensions were not adjusted upwards to reflect the 30 year rule there would be riots!

Hi LynnR & Fred,

I bet the same article also said that the state pension age for men & women is to be equalised at 67. This will take place over a number of years in stages ending I think in 2020.

The equalisation also includes the proposal to reduce the number of qualifying years but that does not start until 2012 and I have not seen anywhere that it will be retrospective.

Fred my wife is one of those who gets reduced state pension because we did not react to some changes made in 1977 when she was out of the job market and we did not find out about. We appealed all the way to the commissioners but to no avail. I think if we went to Europe on Human Rights grounds we would win and it would benefit lots of others who lost out when "Home Responsibility Allowance" was introduced. However we have other things to occupy us at the moment but someone perhaps backed by say Age Concern should fight it all the way it would make a big difference for some.

Regards,

John.

Hi Again,

Had a dig round on the DWP website and found this quote;

Edit because of copyright.... please only post a link to the artical

There is also a very informative graph which shows that only 20% of women retiring in 2005 will draw a full state pension.

It does not seem to indicate to me that it will help those already in receipt of a pension.

Regards,

John

Yes John you are right, the article did refer to the state pension age being equalised at 67 by 2020.

But if the 30 year qualification rule is fully implemented by 2012, I will still get my full state pension in 2016 when I am 65, even if I stop paying NI contributions this year at age 50 which I hope to do.

Won't it be nice to come out on the right side of one of these changes for once - I only just missed out on being able to claim my state pension at 60.

Most medications can be obtained easily, and are often surprisingly cheap. We were told that a months supply of thyroxine would cost about €3, I had to get some treatment for my kitten, and was given a prescription to be filled at the local farmacia. I was given a 500ml bottle of Septrin antibiotic, specifically for children, that cost me €1.94.

Lynn R, I don´t know if you are female, but, if you are and you just missed claiming your pension at 60 than you don´t have to wait until you are 65. It is being brought in gradually, something like born 5 October 1950 - pension at 61. Phone DW&P and find out.

Thanks Glynis, but as I was born in 1956 that's why I have to wait until I'm 65 - I come just outside the phased arrangements. One of the few occasions when I wish I was older than I am!

Hi thats very interesting,thanks for sharing that useful piece of info i am in the same boat as you!,i was going to pay 2 years contributions £700 before i leave to go live in spain.

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