§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether a divorced woman can claim a full category A retirement pension on the basis of her ex-husband's contributions when she reaches the age of 60; [90498]
(2) whether a divorced woman who previously paid national insurance contributions at the reduced rate for married women can substitute her ex-husband's contributions record in respect of any year in which she paid contributions at the reduced rate. [90499]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe following women whose marriages ended by divorce or annulment, may use the record of qualifying years of their former husband instead of their own, if their category A state pension does not reach the full rate
Women who have not reached state pension age when their marriage ended and who have not remarried by the time they reach state pension age; andWomen over state pension age when their marriage ended.The above conditions can apply irrespective of whether the woman was paying the married womens' reduced contributions, or full rate contributions as they are entitlements which accrue as a consequence of marriage.
However, this may not necessarily mean a woman will get a full category A state pension. The amount of state pension she gets will depend on her former husband's and her own national insurance records.