A contributory pension is a type of social security pension whose amount and entitlement depends on the length of time and amount contributed to the social security system.
To qualify for a contributory pension, you must meet a number of requirements in terms of the number of years you have contributed. From there, the amount of your pension is normally calculated according to the number of years you have contributed.
Those who are not eligible for a contributory pension can apply for a non-contributory pension.