When talking about pensions, people can often be referring to the state pension scheme that is provided by the government.
This type of pension scheme has often been subject to a lot of confusion as to what it really does, how you accrue the credits required to have the state pension and ultimately, how much you will be paid in retirement.
The state pension scheme has thankfully become more simplified over the years and for anyone taking benefits after 6th of April 2019, they will likely benefit from the new pension structure.
The following section on state pensions is taken from the Isle of Man Government’s guidance on the state pension scheme and more can be read at the following addresses for further information:
https://www.gov.im/categories/benefits-and-financial-support/pensions/manx-state-pension/
https://www.gov.im/media/1365128/msp5-your-state-pension-explained-apr-2020.pdf
Introduction
The State Pension has changed for people who reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2019. This is men and women born on or after 6 January 1954. The old State Retirement Pension rules (which included basic State Pension and Additional State Pension) were complicated, making it difficult to know how much you’d get until you were close to state pension age.
With the introduction of the new Manx State Pension from 6 April 2019, people will know from a much younger age how much they’re likely to get from the state, providing a solid base for their saving and retirement planning. References to the “new State Pension” in the rest of guide are to be read as references to the “new Manx State Pension”.
What is the state pension?
The State Pension is a regular payment from the government most people can claim when they reach state pension age. Not everyone gets the same amount. How much you get depends on your National Insurance record.
Most people who will reach state pension age before 6 January 2039 who live on the Isle of Man will also get the Manx Pension Supplement (see page 7), in addition to their State Pension. For those who are eligible, the Manx Pension Supplement is paid at the same time and in the same way as their State Pension. For many people, the State Pension is only part of their retirement income. They may also have money from a workplace pension, other pension, savings and/or earnings.
How does the new State Pension work?
The new State Pension is based on people’s individual National Insurance records.
People with no National Insurance record before 6 April 2019 will need 35 qualifying years to get the full amount of new State Pension, when they reach state pension age.
However, most people will have made, or been credited with, National Insurance contributions before 6 April 2019. When they reach state pension age, in most cases, their new State Pension will take into account their National Insurance record both before and after 6 April 2019. The new State Pension rules make sure that the amount of State Pension you get for your contributions before 6 April 2019 is no less under the new State Pension than you would have got under the old State Retirement Pension rules, provided you meet the 10 year minimum qualifying period, which is explained below.
For the new State Pension, you’ll normally need at least 10 ‘qualifying years’ on your National Insurance record to get any State Pension. These can be from before or after 6 April 2019, and they don’t have to be 10 years in a row.
Under the new State Pension, how much you get will usually be based on your own National Insurance record only. Your wife’s, husband’s or civil partner’s National Insurance record won’t normally be considered.
How much is the new State Pension?
The full amount of the new State Pension is £191.35 a week from 6 April 2020. It will most likely increase from April 2021, and each April after that. Not everyone will get the full amount of the new State Pension. Some people will get more, some people will get less. The amount you get will depend on your National Insurance record.
How can I find out how much I could get?
To get a statement of how much Isle of Man State Pension you could get based on your contribution record to date ask us to send you an application form by emailing [email protected] or by calling 685432.
This statement provides personalised information, including your state pension age, an estimate of how much State Pension you may get at that point and if you can increase this amount.
Manx Pension Supplement
The Manx Pension Supplement (or “Supplement” for short) is an extra amount which may be added to your Manx State Pension if you reach state pension age before 6 January 2039.
The Supplement is paid at the same time and in the same way as your Manx State Pension.
10a Who can get it?
You can qualify for the Supplement if you –
- normally live in the Isle of Man;
- are entitled to a Manx State Pension; and
- have at least 10 years of ‘relevant National Insurance contributions’ (see page 8).
10b How much will I get?
The amount you get will depend on –
- the number of years of relevant National Insurance contributions you have; and
- the date on which you reach state pension age.
To get the maximum amount – according to the date on which you reach state pension age – you need to have at least 30 years of relevant National Insurance contributions. See page 9 for the maximum amounts.
If you have less than 30 years of relevant National Insurance contributions – but at least 10 – you will get a proportion of the Manx Pension Supplement.
The Manx Pension Supplement is being gradually phased out between 6 April 2019 and 5 January 2039. Therefore, the later you reach state pension age, the less Manx Pension Supplement you’ll get.
For more information on which state pension age applies to you, please see the following:
https://www.gov.im/media/1364419/state-pension-age-for-men-and-women.pdf
Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the team if you would like to find out more about your retirement options.
The information provided on the pages, blogs and articles contained within this website are solely for information purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Professional advice should always be sought from a financial adviser.