YOU HAVE YOUR SAY

EVERY week Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some in response to our story on savers encouraged to make payments of £2,000 to boost their state pensions — despite them making no difference to their retirement income...

THE STATE PENSION FIASCO Money Mail, March 7

I’VE BEEN lucky and had good salaries so I’ve paid in at the highest rate of National Insurance for most of my working life, as well as paying into a private pension. My wife stayed at home with the children and only worked part-time when she had the opportunity, so paid very little National Insurance. We both have our forecasts and she’ll get more state pension than me, even though I’ve paid in substantially more. What a system!

W. N., Cheltenham.

FOR more than 50 years my husband paid an awful lot of tax. At the rate of pension he is receiving from the state, he’ll have to live another 120 years to be paid back. As he is 70 I don’t think I’ll hold my breath.

G. P., London.

OF COURSE you cannot get a refund on your pension. Buying added years is much the same as buying an annuity. Those complaining ought to have thought matters through before making these contributions.

O. P., Chester.

I HAVE always found the advice given by tax departments very helpful and phoned several times to speak to different people to make sure. At the end of the day the onus is on you to do your due diligence.

V. A., Stevenage.

I’M SURE the state pension is not intended to be your only source of income in retirement. Most people have their own private pension arrangements, too. But pensioners should at least get back what they have paid in.

G. P., Birmingham.

I HAVE a gap in my national insurance contributions. I could make up the back years to get a larger state pension. But what’s the point of that as I’d pay more tax on my private pension?

E. T., E. Anglia.