Are new pension contribution rules unfair?

I’m InCenSeD at the injustice of the new pension system. I shall now have to work until I’m 66 to qualify for the state pension, having worked full-time since I was 17 and paid the full national Insurance stamp for all that time. I’ve already paid 43 years’ worth, and by the time I’m 66, I’ll have paid nI for 49 years. The minimum requirement is 35 years’ contributions, so why do I have to continue paying when I’ve more than paid my share? This is a disgracefully unfair for women of my age. The extra contributions I shall pay would be better being invested in an ISa to build up a decent fund to supplement the meagre pension I’ll receive. Having opted out (on recommendation) for a short period of years, I can look forward only to a bare minimum. Frankly, my pension years will be grim. Why do I have to pay in for longer than I have already done? This is clearly unfair and needs to be addressed.

ANN CooK, Bristol. YEARS ago, when I worked for a large company that didn’t have a contributory pension scheme, I persuaded management to allow representatives from pension-providing firms into the factory to talk to anyone considering taking one out. There were three choices: not to take one, to take one, but not contract out of Serps, or to take one and contract out. Most people chose the contracted-out option because National Insurance payments were lower and part of that money was paid into their pension pot tax- free. On meagre wages with a growing family, I didn’t take one out. It seems churlish of those who contracted out now to moan about not getting the full state pension at retirement age. Pension payments have always been a gamble, linked to financial markets. Those lucky enough to work for firms with contributory pension schemes paid less tax to build up pension pots, and now cry foul because the same rules take a cut of their payments over the thresholds in force. Perhaps the thresholds should be changed, but the phrase ‘having your cake and eating it’ comes to mind. The rules might not be fair, but they aren’t divisive.

P. S. CooK, Pontefract, W. Yorks.