How To Find Contracted Out Years

ian.smith7

Hi All
I recently checked my State Pension Forecast which said I had 44 years of full contributions with 6 years left to make contributions.
I know I was Contracted Out for at least a few years starting in 1991 but I only made Contributions into that Prudential Fund for a few years.
I assume when I stopped paying into the Pru pension they stopped claiming NI refunds.

My Pension Forecast for 2025 is £205.08 a week (This is the most i can get).
It Includes a COPE amount of £41.07 per week (which seems a lot to me).
This would seem to indicate an actual State Pension payment of £164.01 (Is this correct?)

My NI record does not state which years I was Contracted Out but HMRC must have this information to make the COPE forecast.
What is the easiest way for me to discover which years i was Contracted Out and received an NI refund into my Pru Pension.
I do not have pay chits going back that far. However i do have my Pension Records
Can anyone help with this?
Cheers
ian

minty777

Lucky you,you will get £205.08 a week state pension plus a personal pension as well

ian.smith7

Hi Minty
I am not sure I will get £205 a week as the COPE amount is subtracted from £205.
Like everyone I want to maximize what i have saved and paid for over 44 years of non stop working in industry since I left school at 16.
I am not getting anything for nothing and I am of to do a 12 hr night shift tonight (Saturday).

But if you can help with my question that would be appreciated
ian

bioboybill

The COPE amount is not subtracted at all.

dunstonh

My Pension Forecast for 2025 is £205.08 a week (This is the most i can get).
It Includes a COPE amount of £41.07 per week (which seems a lot to me).
This would seem to indicate an actual State Pension payment of £164.01 (Is this correct?)

Why are you taking the COPE off the £205.08 a week?

What is the easiest way for me to discover which years i was Contracted Out and received an NI refund into my Pru Pension.

The online state pension projection has a section showing which years. Pru can tell you which years they received rebates.

sleepymans

I would advise you to call 0800 731 081 , give them your NI number and they will explain if there is any benefit in additional payments to increase your state pension....or if you have the maximum already.
I found them very helpful

Dazed_and_confused

I am not sure I will get £205 a week as the COPE amount is subtracted from £205.

Whoever told you that or wherever you read it is wrong.

You should get a private/company pension of at least £41.07/week (in all probability more) in addition to the £205 State Pension.

Deneb

I'm sure that someone will be along to explain this much better than I can, but briefly:

COPE is not deducted from your state pension calculation. It is the amount which your occupational pension guarantees to pay you each week in exchange for your having contracted out.

As a result of having been contracted out, you paid lower national insurance contributions than would otherwise have been the case.

Despite this, according to the figures you provided, if you carry on working to state retirement age and continue making or being allocated national insurance contributions as a result, you will receive a state pension of £205 a week, substantially more than the full amount of the new state pension.

So you appear to be in a very fortunate position. You have an occupational pension. You have paid less national insurance than many people, and you will receive a state pension higher than most as well.

You can't get a refund of your NI contributions, but you are definitely a winner under the new state pension!

molerat

sleepymans wrote: »

I would advise you to call 0800 731 081 , give them your NI number and they will explain if there is any benefit in additional payments to increase your state pension....or if you have the maximum already.
I found them very helpful

Their forecast shows £205, most certainly not going to improve on that !

ian.smith7

Ok thanks every for the explantions.
I am not looking at the HMRC website now but i am sure it said the £205 included a COPE amount of £41 that was NÒT paid by the Govt but came from my private pension.
??
Ian

ian.smith7

Sorry Minty if i missed the humour in your reply.
Ian