Minimum Number of Years of National Insurance Contributions required for a Full State Pension

Whinge

When I Google the question, the answer clearly comes back as 35 years.  I, however, have 41 years worth of NI contributions and the Gov.UK website still tells me that I have to contribute for another 3 years to earn the maximum state pension.  The irony being that I was unable to pay enough contributions to count during the three years I spent in full-time education at university.  So, if the minimum number of full contribution years required is 35, why am I being asked to contribute for 44 years? 

peteuk

The is a post about this further down the board, however Silvertabby posted

Our State pensions haven't been reduced due to our Armed Forces pensions - we will get what we have paid for.  Forget the headline '35 years for £175 per week' - that only applies to those who started their working lives after the introduction of the single tier pension in 2016.  You and I, and many thousands like us, fall under transitional arrangements designed to ensure that we will get at least the State pension we expected under the old rules.

Its too complicated for me...but you can top it up. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

You have misunderstood the 35 years is only for those starting to get NI years from April 2016.

Most people fall under transitional rules where 35 years is irrelevant.

Buying 2 of the 3 years is likely to be an amazing investment, £1600 should get you an inflation proofed £10/week from State Pension age for as long as you live.

The third year may be similarly good value, it depends what you have accrued so far.  It might only add a few pennies rather than £5/week.

Admiral_Barbarossa

Have you checked you pension forecast at the gov site?
Your State Pension summary - Check your State Pension - GOV.UK (tax.service.gov.uk)

You can check your contributions there as well! My forecast is the full pension due in 2028, with 7 years to contribute before payment! 

Murielson

Sign up for a government gateway account and get all your answers from there raher than google. You can actually look at summary of your NI account