NI gaps

Sjanem

Having recently checked my state pension calculator on the govt website it says I may not receive the maximum due to a gap in my NI contributions in the year 1991/92. I left school in 91, went to Uni then left after a term. Claimed unemployment benefit for 6 weeks then got my 1st full time job. I’ve been in permanent employment ever since. How can I find out what the NI gaps relate to, can DWP tell me? I’ve tried to contact my employer from then but can’t get through to them. I was only 18 (now turning 50) and had no idea that something so long ago could now affect my state pension amounts. Can I plug these NI gaps, if so how since they go back so far and I was oblivious to them. Thanks so much. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Why do you think that will be an issue?

What exactly does your forecast show?  The full detail, not the headline figure.

molerat

What exactly does your SP forecast show ?  One year way back then is hardly likely to make any difference, a gap is purely that you did not have enough contributions in that year, the record will show what you paid etc.  Nothing you can do about it now unless you can prove there was some form of negligence from HMRC / DWP.

Mrnkar_2

You only need 35 years at the moment to qualify for full pension. As you are only 50 you will have about 32 but if you continue working or claim any benefits then these will be added on.
By the time you reach retirement age you should have more than enough to qualify for maximum state pension.
You don't need to pay for the gaps. Hope this helps 

Chewbecca

Mrnkar_2 said:

You only need 35 years at the moment to qualify for full pension. As you are only 50 you will have about 32 but if you continue working or claim any benefits then these will be added on.
By the time you reach retirement age you should have more than enough to qualify for maximum state pension.
You don't need to pay for the gaps. Hope this helps 

This isn’t correct. I am same age as OP and 35 years is not applicable. It’s your personalised forecast that matters.