Help!

swaneldo

Morning all
Hope someone can help with a pension query.  I retired in Jan 2020, 2 years early to care full time for my 93 year old mum.  I have 47 years full National Insurance contributions so assumed I would receive the full government pension.  However, the records are showing that (obviously) I have not contributed for the past year and will not contribute for this year until I officially retire in 2022.  It is also showing now that I will not receive the full pension and the projection has gone down.  I thought if you had already paid in over 37(?) years over your working life you would be entitled to receive a full government pension.  I am currently living off my previous paid in pensions so every penny counts.  Anyone able to advise please as I'm getting no reponses from online requests.
Much thanks

MallyGirl

Take a read of this thread about transitional rules - it is not as simple as just how many years you have contributed 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77970416#Comment_77970416

tacpot12

The projection will have gone down because one of the assumptions used in making the earlier projection was that you would continue to make NI contributions until you retired. You stopped making these contributions, so your new projection will be less. If you are claiming certain benefits or caring for someone you may be able to claim National Insurance Credits that will help preserve your projected state pension amount. Have a look here: National Insurance credits: Eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
If might be worth claiming Universal Credit just for the NI credits. If your caring responsibilities are sufficient, you would not be expected to seek work. 

xylophone

I retired in Jan 2020, 2 years early to care full time for my 93 year old mum.  I have 47 years full National Insurance contributions so assumed I would receive the full government pension. 

What exactly does your state pension forecast show?

You indicate that you are in receipt of pensions and given the number of years NI  (47) and the fact that you are not forecast at least full NSP it is clear that at least one of those pensions must be from a scheme that was contracted out of SERPS/SP2 (Additional State Pension)

At 6/4/16 two calculations were done for you -

£ 119.30 (Full Basic because you had at least 30 NI years) + ( ASP - Deduction for Contracting Out)

£155.65 (Full NSP because you had at least 35 NI years) - Contracted Out Pension Equivalent.

Your Starting Amount was the higher of the two.

Clearly your SA was under the amount of a full NSP.

It seems that you had around 6 post 6/4/16 years before you reached SPA when you could contribute (or be credited) NI to bring you as near as possible to a full NSP.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181237/single-tier-pension-fact-sheet.pdf was  a guide produced a couple of years before the new scheme was to start.

https://www.royallondon.com/siteassets/site-docs/media-centre/good-with-your-money-guides/topping-up-your-state-pension-guide.pdf (2018/19 edition).

whizzywoo

Does your Mother receive Attendance Allowance?  If so you may be able to make a claim for Carer's Allowance and this will automatically pay your National Insurance Contributions.  However if you claim Carer's Allowance and your Mother is receiving the Severe Disability Premium with any of her means tested benefits then she would lose Severe Disability Premium part.
You would need to be caring for your Mother for at least 35 hours per week and to be earning less than £128 per week.
Have a look at this link
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Dansmam

Nothing I can add to the helpful stuff above except to say if there's anything you can claim please claim it. You have done the right thing by your mum x