Before the introduction of the single tier pension for those who reached state pension age on or after 6 April 2016 (see E7.109), the UK state pension was categorised. The categories are explained in the table below.
There remains a legacy of pension provision from this categorised system. Individuals can claim the basic state pension under the pre April 2016 rules if they are a man born before 6 April 1951, or a woman born before 6 April 1953. Those born later must claim the single tier state pension.
| Type of pension | Summary |
| Category A | This is a contributory pension which depends on an individual's own national insurance contributions record1 |
| Category B | This is a contributory pension which depends on the national insurance contributions record of the individual's spouse or civil partner (whether alive or deceased)2. This also applies in a transgender marriage/civil partnership3 |
| Category |
To continue reading
View the latest version of this document, as well as thousands of others like it, sign in to Tolley+™ Research or register for a free trial
Web page updated on 17 Mar 2025 16:14