Q My daughter, aged 58, has worked for 42 years for the same employer, paying full National Insurance. Presumably, she will be entitled to the full basic State pension when she is 60. Is this all she will receive, or will she get additional pension as I do?

A Her additional pension will be provided either by the state (once called Serps) or by her employer, if they "contracted out" of the state scheme. To find out what she can expect from the state, she can get a pensions forecast by completing Form BR19 from Jobcentre Plus or contact the Pensions Service on 0800 300 0168.

Q I have been told that my State Pension, when I retire in June, will be £98.45 a week, including £84.25 Basic Pension. This does not seem very much. I have a works pension of £244 a month and my wife, aged 58, earns £45.60 a week.

A With that additional pension coming from your employer, you probably cannot expect much by way of Serps as well. Your personal rate of pension looks right but have you claimed extra for your wife? As she earns less than £57.45, you can claim an extra £50.50.

Q We live on pension credit of £167.05 a week. In December, my wife becomes due a state pension of about £35. Will this be deducted from pension credit? Can she put off taking her pension for a year or so in order to claim a lump sum?

A State Pension will be deducted from Pension Credit whether she takes it or not. She can put off claiming and get the lump sum, but Pension Credit will still be reduced by the amount of the pension

Q I am 64 and am on Incapacity Benefit of £76.80 a week. I also have Disability Living Allowance at the high rate for mobility and the low rate for care. My wife works part-time and earns £125 a week. We have £14,500 savings. Can we claim any other benefits?

A You are probably paying too much council tax. On your income you should be paying no more than about £434 a year after the deduction of council tax benefit.