Only found this out recently so thought I would pass it on in case other people didn't know.

The current number of eligible years of National Insurance contributions in order to get a full state pension is  39 years for women and 44 years for men.  This is planned to be reduced to 30 years for both men and women who reach state pension age from 6 April 2010.

I understand that at the moment, the word is that anyone who has paid additional voluntary (maybe also normal?) contributions taking them over the 30 years will not get them refunded, so something to investigate and bear in mind!

Link for info http://www.dwp.gov.uk/pensionsreform/legislation.asp

It's a bummer isn't it :( :( I 'bought back' several years of contributions that I had lost due to being a full-time mum. Now, apparently, full-time mums get their contributions paid for them. Of course, I will never get a refund :( I've never claimed a penny of sickpay, unemployment benefit etc and paid self-employed contributions for several years even tho' I wasn't earning enough to need pay them :(

Daisy

Thanks for that link, Annie. :) Very interesting reading, as it's a major concern of mine.

Very interesting.  Although I knew the bit about contributions covered whilst in receipt of Child Benefit does that mean that because I've been receiving child benefit for 23yrs now (for three children at various times) that I've only got to work for another 7yrs before qualifying?  I was thinking that I'd have to work until I was 61 but I might get off a bit early for good behaviour!

Anyone who receives a DWP benefit gets their contributions covered by either credit of contributions(for Job Seekers, Incapacity Benefit etc)or Home Responsibilities Protection(for Child Benefit, Carers Allowance)Add to this anyone in Full Time Education also gets their contributions covered