Guide discussion: Voluntary national insurance contributions

molerat

Goldfinger said:

Who thinks they should extend deadline until such time you can get a Government Gateway ID/account needed to check NI record online without the need for having a passport/driving licence necessary to obtain one now.

Nope.  The 2023 deadline was announced in 2013 and then extended for another 2 years, plenty of time to get a written statement or organise the necessary ID.  When should the extensions stop ?

brightredflowers

If it's any help to anyone trying to do this I managed to get through to HMRC in approx. 60 mins this morning.

charlieheard

I've put in a callback request to the Future Pension Service. So that I can understand things better before I speak to them, I have numerous "not full" years which have the following text when I click on "View details". This (or very similar) text has been there for many years when I've checked, so I doubt it'll be updated anytime soon. Any idea what it means?

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.

molerat

Generally means you were registered as self employed and did not pay class 2.

Annabee

I knew I had missing years from my NI contribution record. I found that I was unable to access the Government Gateway to view my National Insurance records online. The system was apparently unable to confirm my identity, as I don't have a driving licence and my passport has expired. Even though I remember going online to get that same passport 11 years ago and they obviously know who I am as they have my phone number, email etc in the system. Stupid bureaucracy! 

So I panicked a bit and thought this would stop me being able to make the payments. But this morning I phoned the Future Pensions Centre on the dot of 8 am when they open. I still had to wait over 50 minutes, but eventually got through to a very efficient lady who could tell me straight away how much I needed to pay (about the same as I thought) and put me through to HMRC who gave me the all important long reference number and their bank details to make the payment. I will do it on Monday. 

I am so relieved! So there is hope for others to get it in on time, you just need to call very early and be prepared to wait.... 
 
(yes I know it was silly of me to leave it so late, head in the sand I suppose). 

Beige_Bird

I notice discussions on here previously regarding accruing enough NI years for a full pension if you've been opted out and retired early. 
I retired early at 56 in 2020 and have not worked since, so obviously not paid NI. My record shows 39 full years from 1979-2019. I have one incomplete year 1988-1989 and obviously not full since 2020.
When the COPE payment showed on the site it was £9.83.
I also have details of cost of buying back missing years. 
Does this mean I will get full state pension if I don't work/pay again? If so, there's no point paying for any gaps now, or in the future is there?
My gateway account shows the following

molerat

You are already home and dry, you need do nothing more and will receive £221.20, uplifted by the annual increases, in 2030.

Beige_Bird

That's brilliant.
Was worried after reading previous comments regarding false 'full years' and presuming I'm going to pay NI until I get my pension at 67. Didn't want to miss the boat as such, paying gaps.
Saved me wasting my money.
Thanks so much, really appreciate hearing this.

molerat

Beige_Bird said:
Was worried after reading previous comments regarding false 'full years' .......

There is no such thing, a full year is a full year. It is something dreamed up by those with in excess of 35 years who are not getting the full pension and don't understand how contracting out works with the transitional new pension.

Beige_Bird

Oh right. It's a bit of a minefield really. Very frustrating when retired early and have to just wait and see what you get 10 years later when State Pension due. Especially as too late to buy back years then. I've rang various people over the years and most seem to think if it says full amount on gateway 'green screen' that's what you'll get.
Confusing also, when they show amount of gap years and costs to buy back!
I even took from ML show that if opted out and retired early, they presume you're going to keep paying till pension age and don't take this screen for granted.