Proposals in the 2006 Pensions Bill will mean people reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 will require 30 qualifying years for a full basic state pension.
All qualifying years accrued prior to 2010 through payment or crediting of National Insurance contributions will continue to count in full towards the basic state pension. In addition full years of home responsibilities protection awarded prior to 2010 will converted into qualifying years up to a maximum of 22. One qualifying year will be worth around 1/30 of the full rate of the basic state pension.