Brian, it is now described by the DWP as a benefit. I agree it is something we who worked all our lives for and paid plenty in to the pot. Sure they have even stolen thousands of £pounds from women born in the 1950's (1995 pensions act) and then again in 2010 when it was bumped from 65 to 66. My own wife now has to wait until November 2023 so her being a 1957 and still a good looking lass has had roughly £50,000 stolen from her.
The state pension is a benefit payment available to the majority of people when they reach the current State Pension age. It is a universal, non-means tested benefit available to all, so long as they have made the requisite National Insurance contributions or credits This is copied from the DWP website.
