Q Some years ago I took out a personal pension because my employer had no scheme. Now I hear that it will be deducted from my State Pension leaving me no better off. Is this right?

A It will not affect your basic State Retirement Pension. It is your additional State Earnings Related Pension that may be adjusted.

Q I am 87, living alone, with a State Pension of £72.65 a week, a works pension of £151.60 a calendar month and savings of £7,000. I am paying full Council Tax of £53 a month. Should I be paying this amount?

A No. You are due a rebate of £2.74 a week.

Q I am on Income Support but have to pay £120 a year Council Tax because my elderly and infirm mother lives with me. Will I have to pay more if her capital increases?

A No. There is a fixed amount of £2.30 a week from non-working people regardless of the amount of money they earn.

Q My wife is just 60 and has paid full National Insurance for the lats nine years. Has she paid enough of a contribution to qualify for a Retirement Pension?

A Ten years are usually needed to get the minimum pension. She could get one with fewer if she has been at home looking after children any time from 1978. The best idea is to check with the Department of Social Security.

Q You told a reader of my age , 76, the Minimum Income Guarantee for them was expected to be £80.85. How come my Retirement Pension is £78.05?

A The two are not the same I'm afraid. Minimum Income Guarantee is the level below which no pensioner's income should fall. Most types of income are added together when measuring if you reach the level.

Q I am 61, unemployed with a monthly income of £447.05. Can I get any help with the costs on my rented flat?

A It looks like it. After rebates you should only be paying about £21 a week.

Q We are pensioners on a low income. Would our savings be taken into account if we claimed Council Tax Benefit?

A Savings over £3,000 make a difference. From April this threshold goes up to £6,000 for those aged 60 and over