Guide discussion: Voluntary national insurance contributions

double_dutchy

When I look at my national insurance record on the gov.uk site I see that it now has a message saying "You can soon use your Personal Tax Account to check if you can make voluntary National Insurance contributions, and pay using the online service."

Does anyone know when this will be "live", and when it is will you still need to speak to Future Pension Centre and/or get the 18 digit reference number?

molerat

It was going to be live last autumn when it was first announced It is a government IT project, what else is there to say.

Silvertabby

molerat said:

It was going to be live last autumn when it was first announced It is a government IT project, what else is there to say.

Dare I mention the 'Pensions Dashboard' ?

JLMartin

Hello.  My state pension national insurance records show I have 19 full years, 17 part and 15 to go.  I'm 52.  Since 2004 I was out of work for over a decade and couldn''t find work and was not entitled to benefits and I then became mentally ill over it.  I have only just got back into work on a part time job where I only earn a minimum wage and not enough hours/wage to contribute at the moment.  As far back as 2006-7 it says I can buy up a full year.  I could only afford to do this one year with the savings that I have and no more.  Is it worth my trying to find a way to buy back and how on earth do I do this as I can't find out how or should I just hope, rely and pray that I will be able to get pension credit when my retirement age comes?  I do have 2 company pensions but only up to 7 years each. Any advice appreciated, thank you.  Also I am married.  Does my husband's pension count in assessments? Thank you. I think I have until April '25 to do something.

Rumps99

Is it worth buying, back dated NI years if the government is intending to reduce future NI payments or even abolish them altogether? My wife is short approximately 10 years of contributions, which would cost about £8k to buy back, but she still has over 10 years to go before reaching state pension age.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

JLMartin said:

Hello.  My state pension national insurance records show I have 19 full years, 17 part and 15 to go.  I'm 52.  Since 2004 I was out of work for over a decade and couldn''t find work and was not entitled to benefits and I then became mentally ill over it.  I have only just got back into work on a part time job where I only earn a minimum wage and not enough hours/wage to contribute at the moment.  As far back as 2006-7 it says I can buy up a full year.  I could only afford to do this one year with the savings that I have and no more.  Is it worth my trying to find a way to buy back and how on earth do I do this as I can't find out how or should I just hope, rely and pray that I will be able to get pension credit when my retirement age comes?  I do have 2 company pensions but only up to 7 years each. Any advice appreciated, thank you.  Also I am married.  Does my husband's pension count in assessments? Thank you. I think I have until April '25 to do something.

You don't have to earn enough to pay NI to add qualifying years.

Earning £123/week or more is sufficient (on a weekly basis).

The first thing you need to do is look, in detail, at your State Pension forecast.  That will tell you what you have accrued to date and from that you can work out how many years it might be worth buying.  If buying any is even necessary.

If you post the details you will get plenty of help with what your options are.

Knowing if expect to add years going forward would also be useful.

JLMartin

Thank you, I don't even earn that much unless I find another job. I won't post my details here as I don't think they should be made public.  I have explained what my forecast says and I can see the details.  I'm just not sure how to go about paying even one year back or even if it will actually benefit me.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

JLMartin said:

Thank you, I don't even earn that much unless I find another job. I won't post my details here as I don't think they should be made public.  I have explained what my forecast says and I can see the details.  I'm just not sure how to go about paying even one year back or even if it will actually benefit me.

You would be best phoning Future Pension Centre then.

https://www.gov.uk/future-pension-centre

Geoffgt

Hey guys, I'm at my wits end trying to get someone on the many many pensions help numbers...all you get is the typical list to choose from then another then another then it says...go on line. The latest number on the guide (and on gov.uk) for those like me over the pension age, 0800 731 0469 doesn't work either...be careful with this one, you go thru the 1-4 choices 3 times before you get to the actual pension service then it tells you to check on line!
I know how many missing years I have to pay, but the guide correctly says check with Pensions Service just in case. Actually last year I got thru to them and they said they need to work it out and send a letter (yes snail mail). I said how long, and she started getting shirty just saying they would send it...well guess what, after 6 months they haven't sent it.
I think th eonly remaining thing to do is to send a letter to them at the address on gov.uk at The Pension Service,
Post Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1AF
Well here goes, hope they answer before the April 2025 deadline!
BTW, the guide is probably the best available on line thanks Martin!

molerat

If you know what you need to pay then the good old fashioned cheque and letter works.

If you are not happy with the service from DWP then contact your MP, a kick up the backside from that angle usually speeds things up.  About time those still skiving from home got back to full time working.