Maximising State Pension

Alice_Holt

My state retirement date is Sept 22.

My state forecast (based on NI contributions to April 5 in my retirement calendar year) is just short of the maximum payable.

I intend to continue working to (and probably past) my state retirement age.

Are my final NI contributions made between April 6 and Sept 22 effectively lost for SRP purposes, or is there any way can they be utilised to my SRP to the maximum value?

Many thanks for any info or relevant internet links.

p00hsticks

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Are my final NI contributions made between April 6 and Sept 22 effectively lost for SRP purposes, or is there any way can they be utilised to my SRP to the maximum value?

Unfortunately, I believe they are effectively lost - the year in which you reach SRP does not count as a full qualifying year for SRP.

molerat

Feel sorry for my brother in law, his birthday is 5th April

p00hsticks

molerat wrote: »

Feel sorry for my brother in law, his birthday is 5th April

It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is.

However, between 2010-2016 only 30 years were required for a full ('basic') state pension, and even though it's gone up to 35 now under the new state pension rules, one could argue that that should still allow people plenty of time between leaving full time education and reaching state retirement age to accumulate the necessary years, especially when you consider that those who have to leave the work environment because they are sick, raising children or caring for others can still build up credits via the benefits system.

There are many people who pay more whole years NI than they personally need for their state pension, regardless of when in the year their birthday falls.