Rule changes give women major pensions boost

According to reports, the Government is expected to confirm the number of years National Insurance contributions have to be paid before the full pension can be claimed will be cut from 39 to 30. This will help many women who gave up work to care for children or other relatives. Just over a third of women currently qualify for the full £87 a week state pension compared to 90% of men. In addition, those who have missed out on National Insurance payments will be able to buy an additional six years' contributions; doubling the present level. The BBC believes the measures will ensure that b...