Anyone on here retiring in the near future

49 weeks 50 weeks and 50 weeks

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Greg, if you're close to full NI contributions, don't worry, only a few quid if anything less than full pension

In fact, not referring to your situation BTW, if you are getting about 220 quid a week pension you are better off than getting 230 a week pension, or roughly those figures...because you then qualify for all the pension credit stuff...no council tax, free dental care etc

Greg_Gory

" ... taken a week or two off work and never claimed or something " -


Should not make any difference to a FULL Year's Credit -- provided that you earned enough, and consequently Paid 'Your Stamps' National Insurance, and consequently PAYE  - in the weeks when you were working.

Currently that 'Enough' amount is - £6,708 ...


'You need to earn at least £6,708 in total over the tax year (based on the 2026/27 Lower Earnings Limit of £129 per week multiplied by 52 weeks) to qualify for a full qualifying year, provided you reach that amount across any number of weeks.'

and I haven't got a clue where those missing weeks come from because I was working as a telecom engineer for marconi for 2 of thoseyears and know I never had time off fckn baffling

Greg, I  should have made my earlier post a bit clearer
To qualify for pension credit your total income from govt and private pensions plus interest earnt on savings, renting out properties, basically your whole income, must be below certain levels, not just your govt pension
Those figures are currently 238 for a single person and 363 for couples, per week

There was a media campaign in Ireland a couple of years back, reminding those in Ireland if they had even worked in the UK, they’d be eligible for a UK state pension. Surprised me here how many had worked there, and who then paid the top up (making up for the missing years) to get either a full or a good sized UK pension – to add mostly to their Irish state pension.

ffs here's me trying to work out how much I'll lose if I live to be 100 and there's you ripping them off for a 2 week bus ride

This thread is what the forums used to be about. Educating, informing, helping each other & entertaining. Now, most of it's been taken over by idiots, haters & posters who'll argue over whether a weekday ends in a "y".

Well done all on this thread. Up until I stopped being active, I saved thousands of pounds using my freedom pass in London. I remember when I applied for my state pension. I was asked if I wanted to defer it. I burst out laughing, couldn't help it. Enjoy your retirement all of you!

Slicer you spoke too soon .

No Rico Greg claims nowt and never has done for years and years

never been on a bus for about 25 yrs,walked to boro match recently few miles and on way back jumed on the bus ,about 5 stops   i think,confidently tossed £2 at the  bus driver,try again he said £2.50 . i,m 66 entitled to bus pass never claimed ,but think i might now jut for emergencies

Where i live the bus pass starts at 9.30 weekdays
As there's not many buses, some will try and get on the 9.25 to the next town...some of the drivers will just wave you on, others won't, saying "you're too early"...hence the nickname given to the OAPs at the bus stop before 9.30..."the twirlies"

Having paid my council tax & its predecessors for over 60 years I feel entitled to free travel. Just like the many unqualified members of the public who travel without paying because the driver doesn't feel able to put his life on the line to challenge them.

FYI- i found the best tactic was to get the 2nd bus after 9 or 9.30 depending on the start time. Many get on the 1st bus & it's always easier to get a seat on the 2nd bus.

wd greg gory...honest as the day is long LOL

Is that waist or age?

Yep!