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Ten years minimum contribution
Hello, I lived in the UK for 22 years but moved back to Europe in 2019. I'm considering topping up my NI contributions as I have a few partial years and then about 3 I would need to buy in full to get me up to 10 years. Now my question: everywhere on government websites and also on the MSE piece about this it says "you…
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Can I rely on the State Pension Forecast?
HMRC's State Pension Forecast for me has for several years been saying that I am on track for the full state pension and my NI Record shows 37 "Full Year" years. However, how far can I rely on HMRC's Forecast... Some early years when I was at school are classed as "Full year" but when I look at the details, it says "You…
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Why am I offered top with a full State Pension ?
I currently qualify for the full stater pension having accrued 37 years full NI contributions. I retired in 2018 but don't yet claim the state pension as I'm not 67 yet. When I got my state forecast and looked at my NI contributions, it says I can top up missing years (for 2018 onwards). If I can not improve my state then…
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Overseas worker adding to pension
I have a family member from Poland who has been making National insurance contributions for a few years through his employer in the UK. He is now 62 years old and would like to make voluntary contributions to increase his pension. Is he able to do this and if he can how does he go about it? Thanks in advance.
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Gaps + voluntary NI contributions when both employed and self-employed
(I'm reposting this from the parent forum category, didn't see a more specific sub-forum) My father is reaching pension age in July and lives (and works) in a EU country. He worked in the UK for 4 tax years, and those years can apparently contribute towards his pension. However, only two of those years were 'full' and are…
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voluntary NI Class 2 payments - getting very confused applying for multiple years
Hi all,I think I just need someone to break this down for me:I left the UK in september 1999 to live in Ireland, where I have lived ever since.I have 9 years of full NI payments and would like to top up my national insurance payments for every year since 2006. I make that 19 years.I tried emailing the Future pensions team…
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Why have I lost our due to private pension
I retired 2 years ago and had struggled to get a comprehensive answer to why I'm not getting a full pension despite 40 full years. Finally I've been told that its because I had a private pension for 12 years with Scottish Widows that was contracted out. ( 1998 to 2010) i have managed to pay for 2 extra years ,plus a year…
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Am I likely to qualify for Class 2 contributions?
I lost my job some years ago. In the years since then, I have lived somewhat unconventionally; travelling a lot (but not fully "living abroad,") doing voluntary work and largely living off my savings. I've never claimed any benefits whatsoever. I occasionally sell bits and pieces online but have never come anywhere near to…
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Can I top up my state pension?
I think the answer to my own question is no, but thought it worth checking with those more knowledgeable than me, before it is too late (if it isn't already!). My National Insurance record shows that I have the 2 years up to 5 April 1975 (being in full-time education) then full years from April 1975 to April 2011. I was…
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Likelihood of minimum years paid increasing?
Hi all, I have a few gaps in my NI record, I'm likely to not need to fill them though to have the 35 years before retirement. I'm wondering though, how likely is it that before I retire, the minimum number of years might be increased (and therefore I should maybe close some previous gaps)? Is it something that's often…
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Voluntary NIC contributions - yay or nay?
Hello all! I'm currently a graduate student with part-time work (tutoring, consulting, etc). In the last two years, I have not passed the threshold to pay NIC/tax (most of my income still comes from my funding body). I am just wondering whether I should make the choice to pay £824.20 by 5 April 2029, and then £907.40 by 5…
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Buying extra state pension qualifying years
I would like to buy some additional NI qualifying years for one of my sons who cannot afford to do so himself. His income includes an element of Universal Credit, and my concern is that if I send him the money so he can buy them using his own bank account, it might cause his benefit payments to be reduced, if HMRC assumes…
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Cheapest way to Improve Your NI Record
The cheapest way to improve your NI record is to go self-employed. If you've left fulltime employment and need to improve your NI record then signup as self employed. If you earn under £1000 you do not pay any tax and you can opt to pay voluntary Class 2 NI contributions. For year 2023/2024 it cost me just £176 to get a…
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Pension credits back-fill date confusion
In an article about pension credits on this site, it's mentioned (more than once) that you can 'only' buy back up to 2016 (from 2006). I just spoke to the pension helpline and asked about this - as their recorded message also states the same. The customer service advisor said no, I can buy back after that date (i.e. also…
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Confused about all this talk of Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 contributions for self employed.
So I'm self employed for the past 10 or 11 years now. For the first couple of years in starting my business I wasn't earning much, then in the middle I was earning a decent amount of money, and then the last 4 years or so not again. So when I heard about paying voluntary contributions to my pension I thought I better check…
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National Insurance back payment for someone abroad
Hello I have a relative who has just realised that back payment of national insurance for someone abroad where payments are allowed all the way back to the year 2006 will change on April 5th 2025. She has called future pensions and got a forecast and filled in form CF38 to apply to do get a quote on how much she owes. She…
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Voluntary Contributions
Hi, I’m looking at buying NI years to enable me to get the full state pension and looking for some guidance. My circumstances are as follows. Took early retirement from LGPS In June 2017 and was contracted out. I will reach SP age (67) in 2030 Current forecast £184.97 per week I have been given 6 options to buy and option…
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Voluntary Contribution reply after April deadline for paying gaps
Hi, I have put in an application to pay voluntary NI contributions and pay gaps in my history too (I live abroad). The Gov website says I won't get a reply until after 15th May. This is after the deadline for paying gaps in my history. As I have the application submitted and been given a reference number does anyone know…
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Future Pensions Centre still not answering in 2025 - is there another number re NI contributions?
I have tried for the last 3 years to contact someone to pay voluntary contributions to cover gaps, without success. I've tried HMRC too, again no luck. Thanks
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Full rate, plus
A friend will get his state pension after April 2025 when he turns 66 and I said he should get the full rate of £230.25 per week. He has just received a forecast letter from HMRC showing over £260 weekly. He obviously does not want to ask too many questions, but what could be the reason for the higher rate?
