Man told he won't get full State Pension despite working for 50 years

A man has hit out after learning he won't get a Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) State Pension - despite working for 50 YEARS. A pensioner who worked for 50 years has found he will not be eligible for the full new State Pension.

It comes despite having worked for 50 years, and making National Insurance contributions for the five decades. Keith Pitt, 69, from Devon, told GB News this week he has not been able to claim the full new amount despite having worked since the age of 16.

Pitt will get £974 a year less than the full pension this new tax year. “I worked for 50 years paying National Insurance from the age of 160. Never unemployed or claiming benefits," he said. “Having looked at my National Insurance record on the Government’s website there are no short falls or any missing payments."

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“It has impacted me. Before, I was entitled to the state pension. This seems like a policy decision that has left people like me working all their life in a negative situation,” he explained. “It seems very unfair that someone never working in their life would receive a full pension. I know somebody who opted out just before me who got the full pension.

“Somebody I worked with, who again opted out, had a lower pension. In 2021, he rang the pensions department and came back with a full pension. The thing that’s unfair, even if you take the 10 years off, I’ve still got 40 years of National Insurance [contributions].”

Becky O’Connor, the director of Public Affairs at PensionBee, said: “Understanding the number of qualifying years you've accumulated is crucial; while 10 qualifying years provides some State Pension support, eligibility for the full State Pension typically requires 35 qualifying years.

“By monitoring your record regularly, you can identify any gaps and take necessary actions to address them. This could involve claiming National Insurance credits or making voluntary contributions to fill in the gaps.

“Common situations leading to gaps include periods of unemployment or caregiving responsibilities. You may still be eligible for National Insurance credits during these times, however, it’s important to remember that certain credits can only be backdated for a limited period.”