Pension facts

The demographics

· Currently 11.1 million state pensions are in payment (including BSP and Serps) - going to 10.2 million people in Great Britain and 900,000 overseas.

· There are 7 million female pensioners and 4.2 million male.

Basic state pension

· Currently pays £75.50 per week at full rate for singles (£120.70 for a couple based on the husband's contributions).

· Average actually paid is now £60.11 per week (as of March 2002).

· Payable to men from age 65 and to women from 60. But the age is to be equalised at 65 - affecting all women born after March 6 1955 (The age will be phased in, from 60 to 65, between 2010 and 2020 for women born between April 6 1950 and March 6 1955).

· Credits for NI contributions are made by the state on behalf of carers and recipients of Jobseekers Allowance. But some people may not be picked up automatically by the state and should check that credits are being made for them. For instance, a carer of someone on Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance should qualify for Invalid Care Allowance and become known to the government as someone eligible for credits. But if you do not get Invalid Care Allowance, you should inform Social Security yourself. Similarly, if you no longer qualify for Jobseekers Allowance but are actively seeking work, you should continue to sign on so that you still get your NI credits.

Minimum income guarantee

· Currently pays a maximum of £98.15 a week (£149.80 for couples) for pensioners whose other income is below these levels.

Pension credit

· Starts in October 2003, paying between 20p and £13.80 (20p and £20 for couples) to pensioners of 65 and over whose savings and pensions other than the BSP bring their weekly income to between the full BSP and £134 (£200 for couples).