State Pension top up advice

Birdladybird

I am 65 and have only worked for 5 years paying National Insurance.  The last 5 years.  I am trying to find out whether I can top up the 5 years before that so that  I have 10 years and can claim a state pension next year.  I have tried the pensions service and others and everyone says No.  I find that hard to believe as there does seem a way to top up.  Of course Covid prevents face to face.  Does any have any advice? 

molerat

Yes, you can top up any available years back to 2006-07.  Have you got a pension forecast ?  If so what exactly does it show ?  If not https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension  (Based on the assumption you have lived in the UK for those years)

Birdladybird

Thank you. Prior to working for the last 5 years, I lived abroad caring for an elderly relative.  However, I can't see why it should make any difference if I didn't work here or abroad.  I am and always have been a British passport holder.

xylophone

However, I can't see why it should make any difference if I didn't work here or abroad.  I am and always have been a British passport holder.

This is not relevant to your NI Contributions record.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/pensions/state-pension/new-state-pension/

squirrelpie

Have you checked whether you are entitled to any benefits from the country where you were previously living? Or if you can count any years you spent caring for your relative there towards your UK state pension?

There are some details at https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/living-and-working-overseas

Also according to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions you should be able to make voluntary payments under the 'Living abroad but not working' rules. According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/deadlines I think you can make payments back to April 2006.

Birdladybird

Thanks everyone.  Not working abroad is me and I have paid 5 years of NI here in the last 5 years so I should be able to top up with Class 3.  Next step is to try to activate that.

molerat

Have you got a pension forecast because if you have contributions from the past 5 years working you could well have a total of 8 including the age 16,17 & 18 freebies.  A pension forecast is the most important thing to get before starting out on the topping up process.