State Pension Top Up

Prickly123

Hi all, I've recently been trying to get through to the Future Pension Centre to discuss about topping up my state pension for some years that are not full.
I must have rung 6-10 times now, either on hold for ever with no-one answering, cut off immediately or hear a engaged tone then cut off!!
Wondering whether anyone knows any other number I can try or another way to get through to them??  Number I'm calling on is: 0800 731 0175
Many Thanks

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Prickly123 said:

Hi all, I've recently been trying to get through to the Future Pension Centre to discuss about topping up my state pension for some years that are not full.
I must have rung 6-10 times now, either on hold for ever with no-one answering, cut off immediately or hear a engaged tone then cut off!!
Wondering whether anyone knows any other number I can try or another way to get through to them??  Number I'm calling on is: 0800 731 0175
Many Thanks

If you post details of your current forecast (including pence), the tax year you reach SPA and which years you can add on the MSE Pensions board you will have the answer in an hour or two from the knowledgeable regular posters on there.

SiliconChip

It's the correct number, I also got the engaged tone when I tried to call them yesterday but my sister managed to speak to someone earlier in the week on her third attempt, so if you keep trying I expect you'll connect eventually. While I haven't tried it yet many government phone lines are least busy at the start of the day, so try calling at or just before 8 a.m.

I would caution about taking advice from anyone who has no access to your contribution records, my sister's experience shows that they are not always correct so what you see and can repeat on here may not in fact be the full story.

BooJewels

I'd reiterate the idea of calling at 08:00am - I've had success with that almost every time.  I had to ring last week when I got something about needing to submit a tax return within 24 hours - the lady answered that fast, she made me jump - no preamble recordings etc. straight through to an operative.  Same when ringing about my NI contributions - got straight through at 08:00am.

uralmaid

Keep trying. My hubby had to contact them this last week. The first day he gave up trying. Tried again next day and got through eventually and they were really helpful.  It is a free number so it's worth hanging on.  Hope you get sorted.

BAFE

I find that it's easier to ring these numbers 5 minutes before closing time.  

Yingguoren

Hello Everyone

Thanks for this facility. 

I am also finding it impossible to get an answer from the Future Pension Helpline.

I have looked at my projections and want to top up the years I wasn't contributing. 

I have one very simple question: how do I top up? 

I see no "click to pay", no bank transfer details, no payment option. 

I don't want to miss out on the lower current prices because of the DWP's incompetence. 

Could anyone offer any advice?

Many thanks in advance, 

BooJewels

@Yingguoren - They send you a statement of what to pay and with a payment reference - at which time there are a number of ways to make the payment, as outlined on the document. 

But you will need to speak to them (by them, I mean HMRC, it's not the DWP) first to set the ball rolling, as they need to work out what years you can pay and at what class of NI etc., specific to your circumstances.  Start from:   https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions

You can only back pay for the last 6 years, even if you missed more earlier on - so they will look at your record and see what gaps you have that are still fillable.  For example, I was almost 9 years short when I first enquired - I paid 5 and a bit back at the time (the chap gave me a payment reference and bank details over the phone, later confirmed in writing), as I'd had some credits whilst in receipt of Carer's Allowance, so that made up 6 of the years. I then got a statement in the post last September to pay for 2021/2022, which I did at the time, bringing it to 7 of the 9 short now paid - I told them I wanted to pay voluntarily, so they signed me up for these bills to be sent each year.  I now have 4 future years to pay the final 2 qualifying years I need before SP age and expect to get a statement in September each year for those.  I will just pay all 4 to ensure that I'm totally covered.

molerat

Yingguoren said:

Hello Everyone

Thanks for this facility. 

I am also finding it impossible to get an answer from the Future Pension Helpline.

I have looked at my projections and want to top up the years I wasn't contributing. 

I have one very simple question: how do I top up? 

I see no "click to pay", no bank transfer details, no payment option. 

I don't want to miss out on the lower current prices because of the DWP's incompetence. 

Could anyone offer any advice?

Many thanks in advance, 

Are you certain the years you want to top up will add to your pension ? Not all years, although available to buy will add value.

You have until 31 July to pay, the April cut off has been extended.

There is no pay on line option.  You need to contact FPC and ask them to confirm your options then contact HMRC who will give you a code to pay. Or you could send a cheque in the post.

https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance/by-post

It is not DWP incompetence, they are overwhelmed with people choosing the last 4 months of the 2022 tax year to do something that has been available to action since 2013.

molerat

BooJewels said:

You can only back pay for the last 6 years, even if you missed more earlier on -

Whatever gave you that impression?  You can pay as far back as 2006-07 ......... but they may not all add to your pension depending on your personal circumstances.

Albermarle

Suggest all these queries are better in the pensions forum, where there are LOTS of similar questions and answers on the subject .
Pensions, annuities & retirement planning — MoneySavingExpert Forum