NI record: several years not full, still being checked

firefoot

I have five years in my National Insurance contribution record which state ‘year is not full’, although I expect to have a full record for each of those years as preceding and following years, during which I was in exactly the same situation, are full.  

When I click on ‘more details’, I get the following message:

“We are checking this year to see if it counts towards your pension. We’ll update your record when this is finished, you do not need to do anything.”

I know it says I don’t need to do anything, but I’m becoming increasingly perturbed as the years go by and these entries haven’t been updated (first one in question is 2013-4).  Does anyone know if this is fairly common, meaning I just need to be patient?

Thanks very much for any help.

Audaxer

I've not had that message, but just wondering how much your State Pension Forecast is, and your Estimate based on your NI Record to 5 April 2021? 

firefoot

Thanks for replying.  My state pension forecast is for £179.60 per week, which assumes continuing NI contributions (I have another 11 years to contribute before April 2032).  My estimate based on NI record to April 2021 is £124.98 per week.

sevenhills

firefoot said:

I know it says I don’t need to do anything, but I’m becoming increasingly perturbed as the years go by and these entries haven’t been updated (first one in question is 2013-4).  Does anyone know if this is fairly common, meaning I just need to be patient?

Were you working in those years, were you doing something different in the other years, did you have childcare responsibilities or did your partner claim NI childcare for those years, were you looking after grandchildren or maybe you were part-time of self-employed?

firefoot

I was self-employed with profits below £6k and claiming Working Tax Credits.  What puzzles me is that I have a couple of years full contributions showing for years in the middle of the gaps when I was in exactly the same situation.

firefoot

Hi sevenhills, Sorry, I don't seem able to edit my post, but I realise my last sentence is a bit confusing.  I have been in exactly the same situation for several years, with no changes, and have been given full year credits for some years while others (earlier ones) remain 'still being checked'..

Audaxer

firefoot said:

Thanks for replying.  My state pension forecast is for £179.60 per week, which assumes continuing NI contributions (I have another 11 years to contribute before April 2032).  My estimate based on NI record to April 2021 is £124.98 per week.

Well, if you will be working and contributing for the next 11 years that should get you up to your forecast which is the maximum, or whatever the maximum is at that time after inflation increases. So I think it may not matter if you have several years showing as not full.

SouthCoastBoy

Audaxer said:

firefoot said:

Thanks for replying.  My state pension forecast is for £179.60 per week, which assumes continuing NI contributions (I have another 11 years to contribute before April 2032).  My estimate based on NI record to April 2021 is £124.98 per week.

Well, if you will be working and contributing for the next 11 years that should get you up to your forecast which is the maximum, or whatever the maximum is at that time after inflation increases. So I think it may not matter if you have several years showing as not full.

Unless the rules change and the govt decide more years are required. If possible I would try and get it resolved. Not sure how though, maybe try giving them a ring or dropping them an email?

firefoot

Thanks, Audaxer.  My concern is in case I'm not well enough to continue working (I struggle as it is), in which case I'll need those missing years. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Difirefoot said:

I was self-employed with profits below £6k and claiming Working Tax Credits.  What puzzles me is that I have a couple of years full contributions showing for years in the middle of the gaps when I was in exactly the same situation.

Did you pay voluntary Class 2 NI for those year's?

firefoot

Thanks, SouthCoastBoy.  I'll get onto that next week.  I didn't know whether these messages were quite normal and I was worrying unnecessarily, but it sounds as if I should follow up.