New figures from the Department for Work & Pensions have shown a startling difference in state pension incomes, with some receiving as little as £7 a week, while others get £230 a week. While 130,000 people receive £7 a week or less, roughly the same number receives over £200 a week more. This difference equates to £10,000 a year. The Government has revealed the figures as it confirms plans for a flat-rate universal state pension which will be set out in detail later this year. Part of the reason for the disparity in pension payments is the wide variation of basic and additional state pension top-ups in existence in the current system.

These variations will cease to exist when the new flat rate is introduced, although the Government has promised that entitlements to top-up pensions already earned - like contributing to or receiving credits for the additional state pension - will be protected. Smaller state pensions are the result of people having an incomplete record of National Insurance (NI) contributions – for example women who have taken time out from work to raise their children and not recorded enough years of contributions....Read more Here: State pension disparity sees 130,000 get just £7 a week, while others get £230