In 1983 I was invited to an interview from someone in pensions in reference to paying full contributions whilst still holding the right to pay reduced contributions as a married woman, at that time I had decided to pay full contributions as I thought I would do something to contribute to old age pension.  At the interview I was told I was wating my time paying full contributions as I would never earn a full pension, also when my husband retired I would receive my pension through him, which was two years after I retired, regretfully I took this advice and I returned to paying the Reduced contributions but in hindsight it was very bad advice. Has anyone else been given this advice by the pensions or other goverment office in the past

Sixpence

P.S. thats my Pension

I think anyone who was advised, or who accepted advice, to pay married women's reduced contributions was very badly-advised. I regard this 'small stamp' as it was called as one of the biggest con tricks that was ever perpetrated on the hard-working women of this country.  Thank God I didn't fall for the con! Receiving full state pension independently is a result of one of the few good financial decisions I made years ago.

This option ceased for any woman who married after 6th April 1978, but it had applied since 1948 and it was still applicable for any woman who had made the option and married before 1978.  Why the Govt of the day didn't 'bite the bullet' and make it inapplicable after the date is not known.

Margaret

The size of the cost to the public wallet I expect.