Pension....can I, can't I, how do I, where do I even begin?

Pensionweary

Hello, 

I have tried to find some guidance on my query on the gov.uk website but haven't been very successful. 

My story - I will be 66 next March - female, single, A Belgian national who has lived in England since the early 1980s. I have settled status. 

Have done a few years of work in the UK, for which I paid tax and NI, but I mostly stayed at home to raise my two children (now 35 and 29). 

Can someone please help me to find out if I am entitled to any kind of UK State pension when I reach 66 in March 2022?  The gov.uk website says you can do multiple enquiries online but wants your UK driving licence, passport, and all kind of other documents I don't have. 

I am assuming my NI contributions stand for something, and they should/would have been topped up while my children were young.

Can I pay into top up my NI contribution so I can get a pension? Where do I even start?

Is there a telephone number where I can speak to someone rather than trying to do it online?

Apologies for so many questions...it is worrying me slightly that I may not be entitled to anything at all/much and I need to take steps to work out what my financial situation is moving forwards. 

If anyone can help, assist or point me in the right direction, I would be eternally grateful. 

Thank you.

Thrugelmir

You can complete a form and send it off.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-a-state-pension-statement

Terron

You can check your entitlement at https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension but I guess you have already tried that. Still it doesn't need as much as you say. One route needs

• your National Insurance number or UK address
• a recent payslip or P60 or a valid UK passport

which it sounds like you can't do. The other needs

• a UK address
• a mobile phone
• at least one valid photo ID from any country

which should be easier, especially if you go to a post office.

To get a pension you need 10 years of NI contributions. If you claimed child benefit in your name you may have credit with them whilst for those years. If you made contributions in the EU they may count towards a UK pension - see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/benefits-and-pensions-for-eea-and-swiss-citizens-in-the-uk

NSG666

You can phone too but the post above might be quicker.

Contact the Future Pension Centre - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)