How much is the state pension? 

The basic state pension rises every year.  From April 2008 the full basic state pension for a single person is £90.70 week and £145.05 for couples.  Provided both partners in a marriage or a civil partnership have made enough national insurance contributions they will each receive the full amount for a single person.

The so-called married couple's pension is paid where only one partner (usually the husband) is entitled to a full basic state pension.  In such cases a wife can receive an additional amount (£54.35 a week in 2008/09) based on her husband’s NIC record.  A married woman can only receive this once her husband reaches the age of 65.

In cases where the woman is also of pension age the money will be paid directly to her, but if she is under 60 it is paid as an ‘adult dependency’ addition to her husband, although the amount may be reduced in cases where women are still working. 

Women who have built up an entitlement to some state pension in their own right cannot claim the extra £54.35 in addition to their own pension, though they are paid whichever is the higher of the two. 

Same-sex couples who have entered a civil partnership and who meet the criteria can also receive the married couple's pension.    

At age 80, pensioners receive an extra 25p a week to the basic state pension.