35 years is only for those paying NI just from 2016 onwards.
You were paying NI before that so fall under transitional rules. You might need 50 years. Or could have enough with far fewer.
If you want some useful help why not post what you have actually accrued. Not the forecast, presumably £185.15, but the next figure showing what you are already entitled to at 5 April 2022.
You may need 35, or you may need less or need more. The "35" figure is only applicable to people who started paying NI after April 2016. Anyone before that is on transitional rules.
I have no idea what my current amount accrued up to April 2022 is. Where do I find this? ( I’m assuming it’s a monetary value) 33 full years before 2016. No full years since 2016. I reach retirement age in 2028. I have no idea what Cope is. Years not full are 2013 onwards. I have gathered that what I should have done was claimed child benefit ( even though we were not entitled under the new rules) and I would have been credited with National Insurance contributions until our son turned 16. Martin Lewis said on his show last night that I could claim these back, but the link he gave only tells you if you are entitled to claim them back not how to do so. And gov.uk is totally unhelpful.
My forecast says I have 33 years of full contributions. The first page says I need to contribute 2 more years, the last page 7.
It sounded so simple to do but given the fact that my forecast has no idea how many years I need to contribute, I’m inclined to manage on whatever I’m given and tighten my belt accordingly.
It is near the start of your forecast.
Headline will be £185.15
Amount accrued will be after that.
You seem to have managed to provide all the other data but not the crucial bit, not sure how you haven't seen that on your forecast 🤔
I have gathered that what I should have done was claimed child benefit ( even though we were not entitled under the new rules) and I would have been credited with National Insurance contributions until our son turned 16.
Just for others reading
if you claim child benefit, you only get NI credits until the youngest child turns twelve, although the benefit itself continues until the child turns 20 or leaves relevant education, whichever is sooner.
Everyone, even high earners, responsible for children is entitled to claim child benefit, but there is no financial benefit to high earners as they'll pay it back in tax.
There is an option for people in those circumstances to claim only the NI credits and not the monetary amount associated with the benefit.
And the benefit should always be claimed in the name of the lower or non-earner to help their state pension entitlement, as illustrated here..
Replies
You were paying NI before that so fall under transitional rules. You might need 50 years. Or could have enough with far fewer.
If you want some useful help why not post what you have actually accrued. Not the forecast, presumably £185.15, but the next figure showing what you are already entitled to at 5 April 2022.
Without that it's all guesswork.
So what exactly does your forecast say?
It is near the start of your forecast.
Headline will be £185.15
Amount accrued will be after that.
You seem to have managed to provide all the other data but not the crucial bit, not sure how you haven't seen that on your forecast 🤔
if you claim child benefit, you only get NI credits until the youngest child turns twelve, although the benefit itself continues until the child turns 20 or leaves relevant education, whichever is sooner.
Everyone, even high earners, responsible for children is entitled to claim child benefit, but there is no financial benefit to high earners as they'll pay it back in tax.
There is an option for people in those circumstances to claim only the NI credits and not the monetary amount associated with the benefit.
And the benefit should always be claimed in the name of the lower or non-earner to help their state pension entitlement, as illustrated here..