You pay in for 45 years on average
You take out for 16 years on average
You can see where the sums theoretically add up.
There are 35 million people paying NI
There are 11.5 million taking a state pension
You can see where the sums theoretically add up
The average NI Contribution in the UK is £205 a month, not £50
You can see where the sums theoretically add up
It's a hand to mouth system. You secure your own state pension by contributing NI whilst providing the money for the pensioners of today, who in turn provided the money for yesterday's pensioners. Yours will be provided with money from younger peoples NI contributions, but only if you have contributed sufficiently yourself.
Everyone that receives state pension has paid for it themselves, because if you don't pay, you don't get.
It isn't something you should be playing the high and mighty about "I'm paying for your pension"
It isn't handing out dole money to some workshy layabout and it isn't paying some jack the lad with a glass back some form of sickness benefit.
The system only works for those who have paid in
Back to the original point though, if you pay in less than you receive out then other people are paying for your pension. Simple concept