Summary and Background State Pensions Measures Changes
22.For people reaching state pension age (a term interchangeable with ‘pensionable age’) from 6 April 2010, the existing contribution conditions for Category A and B pensions will be replaced with a single contribution condition. The same new condition will apply to the spouse or civil partner of a claimant of a Category B pension where the spouse or civil partner reaches state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 (or dies on or after that date without having reached that age).
23.For people reaching state pension age before 6 April 2010, and for those claiming bereavement benefits (whether before or after 6 April 2010), existing contribution conditions will continue to apply.
24.For those reaching state pension age from 6 April 2010, the number of years needed to qualify for a full Category A or B pension is to be reduced from 44 years for a man and 39 years for a woman to 30 qualifying years for men and women alike. A person who has less than 30 qualifying years will be entitled to a proportion of the full basic state pension for each qualifying year they have built up.