Campaigns & issues

The future looks brighter for women

The Government's proposals for women and carers reflect many of the policies we have been campaigning for.

• From 2010‚ the number of contributory years required for the Basic State Pensions (BSP) will be reduced to 30.

• Initial contributions conditions to BSP will be abolished so that every year of contributions and credits will count towards BSP entitlement.

• Home Responsibilities Protection will be replaced with a new weekly credit for those caring for children under 12.

• A new contributory credit will also be introduced in BSP and the second state pension (S2P) for those caring for severely disabled people for 20 hours or more per week.

But mind the gaps!

These changes will come too late for many current pensioners and those retiring in the next few years.

• The Government should look at ways of introducing changes retrospectively to help current pensioners and to reduce the sharp differences in entitlement between people reaching pension age before and after the date reforms are introduced.

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