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The welfare state (in the UK) has existed since people who are now 87 were entering the workforce. It used to be a lot more generous.

There is no test for having worked your whole life needed to get an old age pension. Unemployment benefit claimants get a National Insurance stamp.

> There is no test for having worked your whole life needed to get an old age pension.

Isn't there? I think that you need to have shown at least 10 years of national insurance contributions to get the pension: https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/your-national-insurance...

Granted, 10 years is not "your whole life", but there is a test.

As @underwoodley says, you get a credit if you are unemployed, from https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/your-national-insurance...

You may get National Insurance credits if you can’t work - for example because of illness or disability, or if you’re a carer or you’re unemployed.