Shortfalls in your National Insurance record

xylophone

Then it suggests she can pay voluntary contributions back to 2006-07 (but then also says this is normally only possible going back six years?)

See Page 6
https://www.royallondon.com/siteassets/site-docs/media-centre/good-with-your-money-guides/topping-up-your-state-pension-guide.pdf

MrDF

molerat said:

She will be able to pay any years back to 2006-07 until 5 April 2023 under the transitional arrangements, all years 06-07 to 16-17 are treated as 16-17 for the back payment timescale, so if there are any part paid years in there it would be beneficial to buy those.  What are the 3 amounts on her forecast - the headline going forward, the current held and the maximum achievable ? It is important to understand what those figures mean.  The "looking after grandchildren" question posed by drumtochty is a very important and possibly lucrative question to be answered.

You need to continue to contribute National Insurance to reach your forecast

Estimate based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2019

£90.10 a week

Forecast if you contribute until 5 April 2029

£140.16 a week

You can improve your forecast

You have shortfalls in your National Insurance record that you can fill and make count towards your State Pension.

The most you can increase your forecast to is

£175.20 a week

Your National Insurance record

You have:

• 18 years of full contributions
• 10 years to contribute before 5 April 2029
• 21 years when you did not contribute enough

To fill 2006-07 it says: need to pay £795.60 by 5 April 2023

No part paid years, for 2018-19 it says: £761.80 by 5 April 2025

She doesn't have any grandchildren and if she were she is unlikely to be able to look after them (location/disability).

molerat

Voluntary contributions are very good value, pay back in 3 to 4 years.  The only downside versus a SIPP is life expectancy (or getting run over by a bus) - the SP only pays out if you live long enough and there are no refunds if you don't.