The DWP says that the new system will be simpler for people to understand and create a solid base for extra saving – with the full level set above the basic means-test level for pension credit, which in 2014/15 is £148.35.
Women will be among the main winners from the new system, says the DWP, as time they have spent time out of the workforce caring for and bringing up children is better recognised. Some 650,000 women will receive an average of £8 a week more – or around £400 a year – in the first 10 years, from the way their National Insurance contributions (NI) are valued under the transition to the new system.
Around 80% of those reaching State Pension age by the mid-2030s are expected to be in receipt of a full State Pension – and even those who receive less than the full rate, because of insufficient National Insurance contributions, will, in many cases, be better off than they would be today.
Minister for Pensions Steve Webb said: "The new State Pension will be a much fairer system and is designed to help groups which have traditionally been disadvantaged – including women and the low-paid – to build a strong financial foundation for their retirement.In the future, all years spent contributing to society whether through paid work or caring responsibilities will be of equal value. We are also helping more women to save for later life."

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"Workers are now being automatically enrolled into workplace pensions – and millions of women will be saving for the first time as a result.The new State Pension will be a clear improvement on the current system, removing layers of complexities.
"It's part of our work to abolish outdated inequalities and create a fairer society. People receiving less than the full rate of the new State Pension may have the opportunity to make voluntary National Insurance contributions in order to maximise their State Pension income in retirement.Those reaching State Pension age in the first years after the introduction of the reforms will be able to check how much they will be eligible for using a new State Pension Statement service from later this year.
People who reach State Pension age after 6 April 2016 will be able to claim the new State Pension. That means women born on or after 6 April 1953 and men born on or after 6 April 1951.
The full rate of the new State Pension will be set above the means test of the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee, which in 2014/15 is £148.35 for a single pensioner. Just like today, the pension will depend on how much National Insurance people have paid – this means that some people may not receive the full amount, though they may still be better off than under the current system.In the first year, around 20% of people will receive a higher State Pension than under the current system and by 2020 around 75% of people will have a higher State Pension.