Christmas U-turn as 'Stay at home mums' lose pension rights

Millions of 'stay at home' mothers are to miss out on getting the full state pension, following a decision by the Government not to allow them to make good shortfalls to their National Insurance contributions record.

The Government had previously said that it would back an amendment to the Pensions Bill which would have allowed mums to buy back up to nine qualifying years, but this week changed its mind, on cost grounds.

Women affected are those who were born before 5 April 1950 and who elected to pay reduced rate NI contributions. In short those who are now approaching retirement.

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