Missed years because I didn’t know I could claim

devadot

Briefly:

Cared for a parent for over 20 hours a week since Dec 2015, so couldn’t get a job paying NI.

Didn’t realise I was eligable for Carers allowance until Sept 2018.

Contacted pensions who backdated my NI contributions to 2017/18 tax year.

 Am missing 2015/16 (admittedly only 3 months caring) and the whole of 2016/17.

Was I given bad info and can I claim for these missing years?

Thanks to anyone who can help.

molerat

Unfortunately most of these things are on a "find out yourself" basis rather than being told and backdating because you didn't claim doesn't usually happen.

Have you got a state pension forecast ?

devadot

Yes, I was opted out and missing a few years so would be handy to know if I can claim at least one of the above

Marcon

devadot said:

Briefly:

Cared for a parent for over 20 hours a week since Dec 2015, so couldn’t get a job paying NI.

Didn’t realise I was eligable for Carers allowance until Sept 2018.

Contacted pensions who backdated my NI contributions to 2017/18 tax year.

 Am missing 2015/16 (admittedly only 3 months caring) and the whole of 2016/17.

Was I given bad info and can I claim for these missing years?

Thanks to anyone who can help.

What information were you given, by whom and when? Do you have this in writing?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Would they even make a difference?

Without knowing what your (full) State Pension forecast shows it's impossible to know.

MallyGirl

devadot said:

Yes, I was opted out and missing a few years so would be handy to know if I can claim at least one of the above

opted out or contracted out?

devadot

Thanks everyone for your comments but I have an answer now