No longer going to receive maximum State Pension? What's going on?

bigfer

I retired in June 2018. I paid into a company pension (1994-2010 DB pension, 2010-2018 DC pension). Before I retired i obtained a state pension forecast  (may 2017) which advised me I was to get £159.55 pw which in 2017 was the most i could get and i could not improve my forecast any more. 

I was on the gov gateway earlier today and noticed my "estimate of state pension based upon NI record up to 5 April 2021 is £177.75. Forecast if you contribute another 2 years before 5 april 2028  - £185.15pw. £185.15 is the most you can get"

I have 41 years full contributions. 3 years when i did not contribute enough (2 after I retired plus 1 whilst at University).

I was under the impression that once i had received confirmation that i was to receive the maximum state pension before I retired, i was all set for the maximum until I started to draw it at 67? Do the pensions department think I am still working and not paying NI? Does this look correct to anyone out there? Any ideas would be appreciated before I lose a significant part of next week ringing them up. TIA

Dazed_and_C0nfused

which advised me I was to get £159.55 pw which in 2017 was the most i could get and i could not improve my forecast any more. 

Do you have a screenshot of that or is it a paper forecast (which you have retained)?

Jonty6262

They might have re calculated your COPE

squirrelpie

The forecast you got probably said that you needed to continue paying NI in order to get that amount. (somewhere in the small print, perhaps). Much like it does today.

You don't need to ring them up, just pay the NI.

bigfer

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

which advised me I was to get £159.55 pw which in 2017 was the most i could get and i could not improve my forecast any more. 

Do you have a screenshot of that or is it a paper forecast (which you have retained)?

I have the paper copy. I requested a quotation from the Wolverhampton office, I think.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

bigfer said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

which advised me I was to get £159.55 pw which in 2017 was the most i could get and i could not improve my forecast any more. 

Do you have a screenshot of that or is it a paper forecast (which you have retained)?

I have the paper copy. I requested a quotation from the Wolverhampton office, I think.

Then I think your only option is to query this, in writing, with DWP.

Send a copy of the previous statement and a print of the current forecast.  The wording below seems to still be used so it seems genuine.

Before I retired i obtained a state pension forecast (may 2017) which advised me I was to get £159.55 pw which in 2017 was the most i could get and i could not improve my forecast any more. 

Marcon

Might be worth getting a really detailed breakdown of your NI history: Try this: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/DPU_SAR_NI?_ga=2.230026460.1544670040.1621021753-1315656139.1609178084

xylophone

I have the paper copy.

Read this carefully all the way through.

Does it say anywhere that you need to continue to contribute to reach your forecast?

What is the COPE  amount shown?

When do you reach state pension age?

bigfer

This is the information I received in 2 separate letters (4th may & 30th may 2017):

You can get your State Pension on 27 Dec 2028. Your forecast is £159.55 a week. Your forecast is not a guarantee and is based on the current law, does not include any increase due to inflation, is based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2016.
£159.55 a week is the most you can get. You cannot improve your forecast any more. 
You may still need to pay National Insurance contributions until 27 December 2028 if you're working. They fund other state benefits and the NHS.

No COPE amount is shown on either letters. I remember showing these to my IFA who agreed that i was stamped up for the full state pension. (My wife was not and is currently paying voluntary NI contributions for an extra 3 years). 

They must still think i am in employment?

p00hsticks

bigfer said:

They must still think i am in employment?

Whether you are now in employment or not should have no bearing on your State Pension Forecast once you've reached the maximum, though.

northernsparky

The maximum State Pension forecast makes the assumption that NI contributions continue to be made from 2016 until you reach State Pension age, if you are not in employment then you can make class 3 NI payments to fill any missing years ( post 2016)