Under the new system - for women born after 6 April 1953 and for the next ?years ( ie those of us affected by the change in pension age) you will get two calculations - one based on the new system and the other on the old system and you will get the greater of the two, to ensure you don't lose out. Not sure for how long this will happen but the info will be on the gov website.
Hurdity x
I did explain here but I don't think anyone read it.
Babyjane - if you have been told 40 qualifying years already (how on earth have you managed to work that long and not yet 60?! No contracting out?) then the calculation will be what you would get under the old system ie the current system. You should have been given two calculations ( on the back of your letter). I presume under the new system you would get a lower figure than the maximum (ie £155) and therefore for you the old system is what they will use. The new system you only need 35 qualifying years at the time you reach pension age.
It's all complicated by the calculations for the additional state pension - for some women you will get more if they use the calculcations under the old system.
It's all there on the .gov website. However the additional state pension and contracting out is unfathomable - you just have to accept what they say.
I will get more under the new system as my workplace I was contracted out for a few years and get a small workplace pension.
Hurdity x