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Original poster

Does everyone get a state pension?

87 replies

Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 18:24

If someone was

  • Never registered as unfit to work (but never worked)
  • Never a registered carer
  • Never claimed any benefits
  • Never paid any National Insurance

Do they still qualify for a state pension? Or do they get nothing at all?

OP posts:
SuperLoudPoppingAction · 03/09/2025 21:44

If they're late 40s they could claim benefits now to build up NI entitlements. Or obviously get a job. Or start a business and pay NI.

Original poster
Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 22:19

Novs · 03/09/2025 21:42

They wouldn't get a state pension but would get means tested pension credit if they have no savings or income. The house you live in doesn't count.
Obviously not until they are 67/68 though.
For now they would have to be unemployed and seeking work to get benefits.
If they were caring for an elderly parent they might get carers allowance which gives NI credits.

Show quote history

So if someone has, say, £500,000 in the bank but has paid NI all their life, they get a full state pension? But if someone has £40,000 in the bank but has paid no NI they get no state pension until that £40,000 has gone? Then they get pension credits – is that right?

OP posts:
MickGeorge22 · 03/09/2025 22:28

Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 20:03

But what happens to people who lived outside the system? I mean people who didn't claim any benefits and aren't registered as unfit to work, yet never paid any National Insurance either? Do they just starve?

Show quote history

They would have to claim Pension credit if pension age. They would receive receive the minimum amount that the government deems a person to be able to live off. I work in benefits for older people and have all sorts looking for advice. For example there was one guy who had spent all his life working sporadically abroad. returned to the Uk a couple of years beofre turning state pension age and was pby family but was then able to claim full pension credit.

XenoBitch · 03/09/2025 22:29

The state pension is not means tested so everyone who had "paid their stamp" will get it.
If you don't, then you get Pension Credit. That is means tested.
If you have savings (I am not sure what the limit is for PC), then you wont get anything.

I do know a few people in the situation you describe. They were never diagnosed with anything but their parents have insisted they stay at home as they don't think they can cope alone. Probably undiagnosed ASD.

MickGeorge22 · 03/09/2025 22:29

Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 22:19

So if someone has, say, £500,000 in the bank but has paid NI all their life, they get a full state pension? But if someone has £40,000 in the bank but has paid no NI they get no state pension until that £40,000 has gone? Then they get pension credits – is that right?

Show quote history

Any savings above 10k are considered in a pension credit calculation. So someone with 40k in savings may still get some Pension credit depending on their circumstances. If claiming a disability benefit and living alone and no-one claims carers allowance for caring for them for example they could get a severe disability premium added to the pension credit calculation.

Coconutter24 · 03/09/2025 22:30

Does this person even need a state pension? They’ve been looked after by a parent, possibly owns a flat. Is the parent no longer paying for them to live?

RaininSummer · 03/09/2025 22:42

Time for them to find a job as they have over twenty years til pension age anyway.

XenoBitch · 03/09/2025 22:44

RaininSummer · 03/09/2025 22:42

Time for them to find a job as they have over twenty years til pension age anyway.

Would you employ someone in their 40s who had never worked?

Flossflower · 03/09/2025 22:49

Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 22:19

So if someone has, say, £500,000 in the bank but has paid NI all their life, they get a full state pension? But if someone has £40,000 in the bank but has paid no NI they get no state pension until that £40,000 has gone? Then they get pension credits – is that right?

Show quote history

Correct. The state pension, like other pensions, is based on contributions. However, if you don’t have any money you will get pension credit.

Flossflower · 03/09/2025 23:07

OP, do you think that someone who has not paid into the system by choice should get a pension? Presumably they have also had free NHS care despite not paying NI.

arethereanyleftatall · 03/09/2025 23:20

I don’t know anything about this and am reading this thread with interest.
really surprised upthread by the info that state pension is the same value as pension credits. I assumed it would be higher.
that means if someone has their full stamp and put in for the 35years, but has no assets and no where to live, they get the exact same weekly £ as state pension as someone who is possibly capable but has never put in, and has their own house, as pension credits.
that seems unfair! (Whilst accepting I don’t want anyone to starve!)

bumbaloo · 03/09/2025 23:30

citygirl77 · 03/09/2025 21:35

So they are lazy and entitled?
Hope they realise they won’t get a state pension?

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You have a very limited imagination. There are many reasons this scenario may have evolved that have nothing at all to do with laziness or entitlement

Are you an adult? How have you lived any length if time with such limited understanding of anything

bumbaloo · 03/09/2025 23:31

Flossflower · 03/09/2025 23:07

OP, do you think that someone who has not paid into the system by choice should get a pension? Presumably they have also had free NHS care despite not paying NI.

Well they need something. They aren’t going to be left to starve.

PrincessofWells · 03/09/2025 23:41

Flossflower · 03/09/2025 22:49

Correct. The state pension, like other pensions, is based on contributions. However, if you don’t have any money you will get pension credit.

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Not quite. If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 03/09/2025 23:45

Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 22:19

So if someone has, say, £500,000 in the bank but has paid NI all their life, they get a full state pension? But if someone has £40,000 in the bank but has paid no NI they get no state pension until that £40,000 has gone? Then they get pension credits – is that right?

Show quote history

Yes. That's right.
If someone has made enough ni contributions during their working life, that entitles them to a state pension. Their savings are irrelevant because the state pension is based on what you paid in, not what you have.

If someone has made no ni contributions they are not entitled to a state pension. If they have savings they will be expected to use them. If they have nothing they will be given a small sum to live on.

176509user · 03/09/2025 23:51

Dappy777 · 03/09/2025 20:28

Late 40s. Not disabled. Never worked because they've lived at home and been supported by an ageing parent.

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Could it even be a less obvious disability like undiagnosed ADHD or ASD ?

Most adult children wouldn’t want to stay at home like that unless there was some kind of issue.

LemondrizzleShark · 04/09/2025 00:11

176509user · 03/09/2025 23:51

Could it even be a less obvious disability like undiagnosed ADHD or ASD ?

Most adult children wouldn’t want to stay at home like that unless there was some kind of issue.

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Depends on how generous the parent is!

We have a couple of extended family members like this (different branches) - no obvious SEN, the child went to university etc.

Parents are well off enough to have given them a car and a few grand a month clothing allowance, plus paying for holidays etc as needed. The family home is far nicer than a flat share. Why would you get a job in that situation?

And then obviously after a few decades of doing fuck all except yoga and painting, when the husband in finance you were hoping would take over supporting you hasn’t materialised, you are basically unemployable anyway.

XenoBitch · 04/09/2025 00:16

176509user · 03/09/2025 23:51

Could it even be a less obvious disability like undiagnosed ADHD or ASD ?

Most adult children wouldn’t want to stay at home like that unless there was some kind of issue.

Show quote history

My thoughts too.
I know a few people that live like this and there is definitely undiagnosed ND issues involved.

One I know... his mum is disabled (MS) and he is her carer. She thinks he has undiagnosed ASD. She had him "statemented" back when he was in school, but this was a couple of decades ago. He has never worked, has no friends and has never had a girlfriend. She is worried about him and what would happen when she is gone.

Cornishclio · 04/09/2025 01:17

If they never paid NI or didn’t get NI credits through child benefit or carers allowance then no they won’t qualify.

GentleSheep · 04/09/2025 01:20

I'm pretty much that person and having reached state pension age I don't get one. I haven't worked so don't have NI contributions. Reason is disability/health but I have only claimed benefits for a few years early on, after that have been fortunate to be supported by my partner.

tinyspiny · 04/09/2025 01:25

@Dappy777 they could start paying voluntary NI contributions now .

Lifestooshort71 · 04/09/2025 08:08

OP, is this person you or asking for a friend? When the ageing parent is no longer able to support this person (presumably by dying), will they be left an inheritance? If so, they would be expected to live off this until it is almost gone before the taxpayer would help out - why would they get a contributory pension when they haven't contributed?

Flossflower · 04/09/2025 08:11

Lifestooshort71 · 04/09/2025 08:08

OP, is this person you or asking for a friend? When the ageing parent is no longer able to support this person (presumably by dying), will they be left an inheritance? If so, they would be expected to live off this until it is almost gone before the taxpayer would help out - why would they get a contributory pension when they haven't contributed?

In her other post she says it is her brother.

Lifestooshort71 · 04/09/2025 08:27

Flossflower · 04/09/2025 08:11

In her other post she says it is her brother.

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Sorry!