You are a pensions advisor and have an appointment with a client. The

client does not understand the changes to the basic state pension that

occurred in April $2016,$ especially about qualifying periods and changes

to additional pension.

Explain in detail the changes that occurred to basic state

pension in $2015.$ In particular, explain how the starting amount

is calculated, changes to the number of qualifying years and

what happens to those people who were contracted and$/$or had

additional pensions $($S$2$P$/$SERPS$)$ and how that might affect the

starting amount for their basic state pension.