How will our pensions be affected if we get married?

Q

MY PARTNER and I are both pensioners with both work and state pensions. What would happen to them if we were to get married?

A

THIS will depend on various things, including your age, the type of workplace pensions you have and the rules for each scheme.

For the state pension, it depends when you started receiving it.

You will need to check the small print around your workplace pensions to see what provision there is for spouses.

If you started receiving your state pension from April 2016, it’s based on your National Insurance record, whereas those who reached state pension age before then may have some entitlement to a share of their spouse’s pension.

Q

I RECENTLY bought a bicycle from an online marketplace. The person selling it didn’t do PayPal so I sent the money direct by bank transfer.

I was promised delivery within three days but eight weeks later it hasn’t arrived. I’m worried this may be a scam.

A

TYPICAL tactic by crooks is to get people to transfer cash direct to them, rather than via PayPal or another payment service where the cash is not released until the goods arrive.

Get in touch with the website and ask if they can help you to chase up the seller.

If it is something dodgy they will be able to close down the account to try to prevent others from falling victim.

Q

CAN you tell me how I sort out National Insurance credits so I can ensure I get my full state pension?

A

YOU can be entitled to National Insurance credits for various reasons, including if you are claiming benefits because you are ill or unemployed. This can also apply if you are a parent with children under the age of 12, a grandparent or other family member who is helping with childcare, or a carer.

Visit gov.uk/national-insurancecredits to find out if you are eligible and how to apply. Or call the helpline on 0300 200 3500.