Credit for NI Contributions?

LadyDee

Some years ago I stopped working in order to take a full-time degree as a mature student and qualified for and received a grant. I remember phoning to enquire what I should do about NI and I was told at that time that I would be eligible for contribution credits for the three years.

When it came to receiving my pension it was reduced because of the missing contributions and I was then told I had been wrongly advised.

It has now been suggested by a friend who seems to know what they are talking about that I should in fact have those contributions credited and therefore should have received the full amount of State Pension since retirement.

I wrote to the Pension Service in October for confirmation of the position but have never received a reply.

Is there anybody here who can tell me categorically which advice was right?

greenglide

The current situation is given here https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

In the old days credits were given to people who stayed on in full time education (I think up to age 21).

I don't think credits were given for full time education after age 21 though.

When did you reach State Pension age? This determines how many years you needed for a full pension.

xylophone

https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/about-pensions/the-state-pension/ni-credits

https://www.ifs.org.uk/bns/bn105.pdf

page 73

p00hsticks

greenglide wrote: »

In the old days credits were given to people who stayed on in full time education (I think up to age 21).

I don't think that's the case. People used to automatically be creditted with NI years for the three years in whcih they turned 16, 17 and 18 (not dependant of actually being in full time education).

This stopped in 2010 when the number of qualifying years required for a full state pension was reduced.

greenglide

I was talking about the real old days of real sticky stamps stuck on cards!

The three years given to "everyone" was, I thought, a fallout of the transition from cards to computers and was part of the mess left from that.

LadyDee

Thanks for the links, and it certainly would appear that the initial information and advice I was given by whoever I spoke to at the time was incorrect, but I wouldn't be able to prove it now, so I won't be able to depend on that. Oh well. I was at least fortunate enough to benefit from three years in university, and not have the worry of loans and debt.

Oh no - I remember the stamps!

Dorian1958

In 1990/91 and again in 2002/03 (one academic year on each occasion) I was in full time higher education as a post-graduate student. I remember filling in a form to claim NI Credits and on both occasions I received the credit; my online state pension forecast confirms this.

JezR

Those on a government-approved training course that lasts no longer than one year can apply for credits (automatic if sent on it by Jobcentre Plus).