35 years National Insurance

retroman62

Hopefully this is a simple query amongst you wise and knowledgeable folks – I’ve always found this forum a source of invaluable knowledge.The government website tells me that I am fully paid up for my national insurance contributions i.e. 35 years, and I cannot pay any more to supplement it.I am 58, therefore some years away from state pension age, but my question is: will I remain fully paid up over the next nine years until I reach state pension age if I don’t work again, or is the 35 years rolling so that by the time I’m 67 I only actually have 26 years paid in?

AlanP_2

If your forecast definitely says YOU CANNOT INCREASE your pension you are home & dry. The 35 years bit is irrelevant to you as that only applies explicitly to those who start accruing NI/SP from 2016.

xylophone

Does your forecast say

You can get your State Pension on .......

Your forecast is

£a a week

£b a month, £c a year


Your forecast is not a guarantee and is based on the current law.

is based on your National Insurance record up to ........


does not include any increase due to inflation

£a is the most you can get

You cannot improve your forecast any more.

If you’re working you may still need to pay National Insurance contributions until as they fund other state benefits and the NHS.

retroman62

Thanks AlanP. Yes xylophone, that is what it says, But on another page it says I have 40 years worth of contributions, and another eight years to pay!

AlanP_2

retroman62 said:

Thanks AlanP. Yes xylophone, that is what it says, But on another page it says I have 40 years worth of contributions, and another eight years to pay!

A lot of us have similar statements. You have been paying NI for 40 years and have another 8 years to go until you can draw on your SP. Neither number is that relevant in your situation.

xylophone

You have already reached a forecast amount that is equal to (or  possibly in excess of) a full new state pension.

As regulations currently stand, as you are under state pension age, if you continue to work (and earn the relevant amount), you will still have to pay NI but this will not increase your state pension.

At SPA, you will receive your forecast amount (uprated by whatever index/indices the government chooses).

The same would apply if you chose to give up paid employment and thus pay no more NI.