In 2010-2011, the full basic State Pension is £97.65 a week. The full basic State Pension for a married woman using her husband’s National Insurance record is £58.50 a week.

This means that a married couple could get separate basic State Pension payments totalling £156.15 a week. If they both qualify for a full basic State Pension (say, if both worked and if both paid enough National Insurance) this could be £195.30 a week.

In all cases your individual circumstances may affect the amount you get.

The basic pension is lower than the income support threshold, so if a pensioner has no other income, the state may top up with income support. This comes in the form of a means-tested Pension Credit which brings the weekly amount up to £130 for a single person and £198.45 for a couple.

There is also a State second pension, which, if you get it, will be on top of the standard state pension, but it’s only a top up pension to the ‘main’ one.

That’s it.

If you’re Ok with that, relax.

If not, you’ll need to look at your pension options – an IFA can do that, or, your company may/should have some kind of scheme set up, and may even pay in as well if you ask. Your pension option may well include ISA’s…