State pension NI contributions gaps

PaulMc120

44 years of full contributions before 2016, forecast 4 years with no payments. I finished work at 58, hence no contributions! Contracted out earlier in career. Is this why I cannot receive a full pension?

molerat

The often misquoted 35 years is only for those starting out their NI history after April 2016. For those already in the system at April 2016 a calculation was done giving you the higher of the new or old scheme pension amounts.  With a contracted out history the old scheme would likely have been the higher amount which was limited to 30 basic years.  You would receive no more or less than you had already accrued at April 2016.  You are a winner in that you have the opportunity to top up that amount with post 2016 contributions.

p00hsticks

PaulMc120 said:

44 years of full contributions before 2016, forecast 4 years with no payments. I finished work at 58, hence no contributions! Contracted out earlier in career. Is this why I cannot receive a full pension?

It could be - but if you post exactly what your forecast tells us (assuming that you are still under SRA and can get one) then people could tell you for sure

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

I'm going to need 44+ years to get mine to the full new higher rate, but have enough time between  2016 and when I reach SRA to take it up to the new maximum.  

xylophone

When do you reach state pension age?

What exactly does your  forecast say?