Ivor the Engine
Nowhere man
Most -but not all - people have an occupational pension to go with the state pension.
The current £115/week is based on full employment/payment of National insurance for 30 years (previously 44 years) Anything less and the pension is reduced pro-rata. From April 2016, a minimum of 35 NI contributions are needed to be eligible for approx £150/week, but there will still be some that do not get the fullamount.
I do know of someone locally who exists on just over 8,000baht a week. He survives, but not much more.
I've paid 33 years so I'd guess it might be cost effective to pay another 2 years. Do you agree, Nick?????? I am 8 years away from my state pension age of 66.