Couple of pension questions

beth3735

I joined the Navy in April 2002 and paid pension contributions to them till Aug 2003. I joined the NAAFI pension, but when i left they told me as i hadn't done 2 full years of service i wasn't entitled to any of this pension in years to come, It just basically gets wiped out. Is this correct? I assume its still my money for when i retire?! Not sure how to find out now though.

Also 2nd question is, I haven't paid any NI for the past 8 years, I have been working since i was 16, and im now nearly 30, but the past 8 years i have been working really low hours due to raising children, so never earnt enough to pay NI, unfortunatly due to no family and lack of hours at my current employer it doesn't look like i will be in a position to start paying it, how many years do i need to pay NI to be entitled to the state pension? Once my youngest is old enough to care for himself after school i will have 25 working years left in me, Would that be enough to cover it?

Now im hearly hitting 30 im starting to worry about how we would cope in years to come! I do pay into my current employer pension, but its only £10 a month, i do think they match this though!

jamiefly

If you are in receipt of child benefit then you will receive NI credits for those years in question. There are other ways to build-up entitlement which you may or may not have reached through earnings. Either way you are covered

As for pension schemes of less than two years employment it is usual for employers to return employee contributions made but not employer contributions.

beth3735

Thank you, just read up on child benefit and it states that it gives you NI credits, is it automatically issued, or would i need to apply to get these? It didn't say on the website.

I will need to try and find out who Naafi pensions were running through to get in touch and see what happened to my pension then as i left the Navy back 10 yrs ago nearly and i never once got my money back. I would be happy if it just sat there till im 65 but as long as i don't lose it 100%.

atush

Yes, the NI credits are automatic, and you need 35 years for a full oenson for someone your age (was briefly 30 but don't think that will apply to you). You will continue to accrue years until your youngest child reaches 12. You will also get 3 years from 16-19. So you can get a current forcast via DWP.

As for you Navy pension, they would have refunded your contribs via your last pay (or a later disbursement). Think you can write that one off, though I think you can ask for proof they repaid you.

peterg1965

beth3735 wrote: »

I joined the Navy in April 2002 and paid pension contributions to them till Aug 2003. !

You may have been in the Navy, but you didn't 'pay' pension contributions. It's a non contributory scheme. I would be doubtful that you generated much in terms of a transferable pension pot.

beth3735

Thank you both
Peter, the Naafi was an added extra we could opt into which took a pension amount from my wages, My husband didn't take it up and he got a letter from the proper Navy Pension when he left to say what he had, I didn't get a letter from Navy or Naafi, I understand the Navy one may be because i didn't do 2 full years service, but i just assumed the money the Naafi took was still mine for the future years