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State Pension and Qualifying Years Query

Hi,
Does anyone know if time spent as a full time student at university in the late 1980s should count as qualifying years for the new state pension?
I’ve just got a forecast and my time spent still at school doing A levels has been fully credited but not when I went to university.
Grateful for any help anyone can offer?
Thanks

Comments

  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 35,042 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 6 July 2019 at 12:52PM
    No. The years in which you reached 16, 17 and 18 were credited free but everything else had to be earned / credited through the normal methods.
  • pauln
    pauln Posts: 46 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks molerat.

    I’ve got a related query which you may know the answer to. My forecast says I need five more years to get a full state pension but I’m thinking of going part time as I head towards retirement. So if for example I started working 50% of my current hours straight away, would I need to do this for 10 more years to get a full pension?
    Cheers
  • JGB1955
    JGB1955 Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    A qualifying year for State Pension can be made up through combining earnings, National Insurance credits, self-employment and voluntary contributions. A qualifying year can be built up if: you are employed and earning over £166 a week (2019/20) from one employer and paying National Insurance contributions.
    #2 Saving for Christmas 2024 - £1 a day challenge. £325 of £366
  • pauln

    No. Going part time for the next 5 years will mean you either accrue no years. Or 5 years.

    All depends on what 50% actually means.

    Earn £30k and drop to £15k and you'll still get a qualifying year each year.

    Earn £8k and drop to £4k and you will stop accruing qualifying years.

    NB. The tax year you make the change will be different
  • pauln
    pauln Posts: 46 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks. It will be more like you first example so I’d still be earning £15k ish
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