How many years are required to get full state pension?

[Deleted User]

I have been told by HMRC that I have 40 years . Born in 1956. Website states that I need at least 35 but my forecast tells me that I fall short.

molerat

The same question is posed here many times, read a few threads and you may get an understanding of the reasons.

Which website told you that ?

You may need more or less than 35 years to receive more or less than the full pension amount. 

The often misquoted, usually in the red top press, "35 years" is only applicable to those with a NI history commencing after 2016, everyone else is on a hybrid scheme. 

With 40 years and not receiving the full amount means you were likely in a contracted out occupational pension and paid a lower NI amount than those that were not contracted out.

What exactly does your forecast show ?

xylophone

I have been told by HMRC that I have 40 years . Born in 1956. Website states that I need at least 35 but my forecast tells me that I fall short.

You have obtained a state pension forecast here?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

What exactly does it say?

See 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79359032/#Comment_79359032

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79359039/#Comment_79359039

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Which website says someone paying NI before 2016 needs 35 years?

[Deleted User]

Okay. It looks like  I have to spell this out for you. here are 2 documents. 1 says I have not met the requirements for FULL state pension: 

-- removed as personal info exposed

and the other states that I have 40 years:  

-- removed as personal info exposed

Dazed_and_C0nfused

You might find a read of this useful.

You are clearly under transitional rules so having 35 years is completely irrelevant.

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/your-national-insurance-record-and-your-state-pension

[Deleted User]

I have visited this link before. If I was born in 1956 and under the old system is it 35? If not I still have 40 years. Why does my forecast say that I do not have enough. If I have 40 then it should be okay. Without looking through 1,00 of documents on the link can someone tell me please.

molerat

[Deleted User] said:

Okay. It looks like  I have to spell this out for you. here are 2 documents. 1 says I have not met the requirements for FULL state pension:  

-- removed as personal info exposed

and the other states that I have 40 years:  

-- removed as personal info exposed

There was no query on where you got that information from, it was where you were told you need 35 years. 

It is quite clear that your contracted out time affected your 2016 starting figure so the original old scheme amount was the higher meaning you needed to make it up post 2016.  How much is it going to cost to fill those 2 years ?  Around £1600 tops but is paid at the equivalent of a 30% annuity, excellent value and something you couldn't buy on the open market

And you need to redact a lot of the personal information shown in those files !

[Deleted User]

Okay. I may have not deleted some content. Can someone tell me what the
You are clearly under transitional rules are?

molerat

The transitional rules mean you are on a combination of the old and new schemes.  Under the new scheme there is no contracting out, everyone pays the same NI rate so pre 2016 contracting out is deducted from your pre 2016 new pension calculation.  But you didn't lose out as both old and new scheme amounts were looked at and you were given the higher of the 2.  You then got a second bite at the cherry and were able to make any shortfall up with post 2016 contributions.

[Deleted User]

So if I was unemployed from 2007 up to present and claiming unemployment benefit, i would have to pay contributions for those years. Please find attached. 

-- removed as personal info exposed

According to this while unemployed, I still have to pay these payments that benefits failed to make on my behalf.