N.I contributions for full pension

moneybags1957 · 19 January 2017 at 5:30PM

My wife was born in 1958 (shhh don't tell anybody) she has 27 years paid up N.I cons,including those added for raising our child. How many years do you now need for a full pension, is it 35?
Don't say ring the Future Pension Centre as I just hung on the phone forever.
Also she currently can buy/ makeup 4 missing years, do I have to ring the tax office or can you download the form online because I cannot for the life of me find a link to do such.
Finally I do hope this is the correct forum for pension advice.

luvchocolate · 19 January 2017 at 5:33PM

There is a forum dedicated to pensions and there are some amazing people on there to help and suggest, I have used and got excellent help

itsanne · 19 January 2017 at 5:56PM

Luvchocolate is right to recommend the pensions board. The people on it are very helpful.

Your wife should also request a pension forecast - many people who think they will be entitled to a full pension won't be because contributions to a work pension mean they've been contracted out at some point. As an example, I had 35 years and thought that would be fine, but my pension forecast showed that several won't count (and I will buy missing years).

antrobus · 19 January 2017 at 9:16PM

moneybags1957 wrote: »

My wife was born in 1958 (shhh don't tell anybody) she has 27 years paid up N.I cons,including those added for raising our child. How many years do you now need for a full pension, is it 35?...

Yes, 35 years.

moneybags1957 wrote: »

..Don't say ring the Future Pension Centre as I just hung on the phone forever.
Also she currently can buy/ makeup 4 missing years, do I have to ring the tax office or can you download the form online because I cannot for the life of me find a link to do such.
Finally I do hope this is the correct forum for pension advice.

If you sign up for a Government Gateway account you can access your NI record and see a state pension forecast.

Otherwise this is the form for requesting a State Pension statement.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/526317/br19-interactive.pdf

badmemory · 20 January 2017 at 5:46PM

Definitely pop along to the pensions board. There are several ways of making up the pension credits. Either buy old pre 2016 years, post 2016 years or even get credit if someone is looking after a grandchild whilst its parent works & more!