Confusing NI record

CardiffCrank

After reading the guide on voluntary contributions, I thought I'd take a quick look at my situation, as I moved to the UK when I was 33, so it's a tight 35 years up to retirement age. I had a few months working in London when I was younger though. So I checked my NI record. Does anyone have any idea why it says I have 10 full years when clearly I only have 7? Should I chase it up?

molerat

As you have a record / were over16 pre 2010 I suspect you have been given the 3 freebie starter credits for age 16,17 and 18.  It seems the system gives these as it is far too difficult to figure out who is actually entitled so gives them to anyone with any sort of NI record even if not in the UK at the time.  The only way to check would be to contact the NI help line.

CardiffCrank

Thanks very much @molerat - that makes a lot of sense. I looked up the starter credits and found an old document from when they were planning to get rid of them. It says "For operational reasons, Starting Credits are awarded whenever a NI number is allocated; there is no requirement to have been in the UK at the relevant time, so people coming to the UK, even for a relatively short time, and who need a NI number for any reason, acquire Starting Credits."

So by entering the country in 2010 and obtaining an NI number, I automatically picked up the three years of credits. It's a little odd that they're not explicitly noted on the record.

I feel like calling the NI helpline might take years off my life, which would more than offset the possibility losing a few quid a week from my pension.