The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it has no plans to allow people diagnosed with a terminal illness to access their State Pension prior to retirement age, even if they have accrued sufficient National Insurance Contributions.The official age of retirement is 66 for both men and women and at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance Contributions are needed for any State Pensions payment.
To be eligible for the full, New State Pension, people must have 35 years of National Insurance Contributions. Payments for the full, New State Pension are currently worth up to £185.15 per week, however, from April 2023 this will rise to £203.85.
DWP Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott MP, gave the response after SNP MP, Dave Doogan, asked about the possible policy change last week. In a written response, Ms Trott said: “We have no plans to allow early access to State Pension.”
