Missing years NI?

saltshaker

I left the UK where I was a self employed director and am now no longer working. I have looked at my pension forecast online and have 30 years towards my state pension. I have 5 years in the 1980s where I did not pay enough NI - it shows between 10 and 40 weeks contributions. I cannot understand how I would pay or earn enough to get 30 or 40 weeks and yet not pay a bit more to get a qualifying year, but at the time I had no advice to point this out.

I would like to top up to get the maximum 35 years contributions. It says NI gap years can ususally only be paid up to 6 years after. It does not say what the exceptions are. Is there any way I can make contributions now to fill in those old years? Or is my only choice now to make class 3 NI payments over the next 5 years?

Linton

What exactly did you State Pension forecast say? As you have a significant number pre-2016 NI years your SP is determined by the amount of pension you have accrued, not by the number of years, and is limited by the current standard SP level. It is quite possible that you will need fewer (or more) than 35 years to reach that limit. This should be clear from the forecast.



You cannot go back to the 1980s. The current limit is the 2006/7 tax year, so if you have any gaps from that date you can make voluntary contributions. Whether it is worthwhile making pre-2016 years can be difficult to determine so if you are in that position you should talk to the Future Pension Centre, https://www.gov.uk/future-pension-centre, who are very helpful.

saltshaker

Thank you Linton.

It says my estimate now is £148 and my forecast is £168 pw if I contribute for another 6 years before 2030. I cannot get any more than £168.

I do not intend to have any more UK salaried work before 2030 so to pay the 6 years to get the maximum I think my only option is to pay voluntary class 3 NI in 6 years before 2030.

xylophone

See https://www.royallondon.com/siteassets/site-docs/media-centre/good-with-your-money-guides/topping-up-your-state-pension-guide.pdf