State pension and divorce.

[whyhellothere83]

I am due to claim state pension. I have been separated for many years but not bothered to get divorce so my pension is as a couple and not a single person. If I put my invitation as they put it in now and get my pension as a couple, when I do get divorced does my pension stay the same or can I then claim for a single person status. I have started divorce proceedings but it will take many months. It's all confusing.

Your state pension isn’t linked to your husband so it won’t make a difference. It isn’t ‘as a couple’

 

[whyhellothere83]

I understand that I was under the impression that there was a financial difference if you were married once your pension kicked in. I haven't lived with him for donkey's years so thought if I was going to get less due to being married that so I would probably be better waiting until I was legally divorced then applying for it as a single person. Seems I have been given wrong information. anyway.

Yes, that is incorrect information. Your state pension is based on your own NI contributions.

 

[HoGi]

Thanks for that. The form to fill in isn't clear to me. Its either married or divorced, no in between for people like me.

That's because you are either married or divorced.

"Separated" isn't a legal status in England.

If you married someone and haven't divorced them, you are married.

 

[SamBamford]

I understand that I was under the impression that there was a financial difference if you were married once your pension kicked in. I haven't lived with him for donkey's years so thought if I was going to get less due to being married that so I would probably be better waiting until I was legally divorced then applying for it as a single person. Seems I have been given wrong information. anyway.

 

[SamBamford]

I am due to claim state pension. I have been separated for many years but not bothered to get divorce so my pension is as a couple and not a single person. If I put my invitation as they put it in now and get my pension as a couple, when I do get divorced does my pension stay the same or can I then claim for a single person status. I have started divorce proceedings but it will take many months. It's all confusing.

 

[SamBamford]

Thanks for that. The form to fill in isn't clear to me. Its either married or divorced, no in between for people like me.