45 years NI contributions required for full state pension?

xylophone

The question asked is "why 45 years" when the maximum, according to this site, is 44.

Please read links in my post above - this may clarify matters.

p00hsticks

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Billportland said:

I should've posted this pic in the OP, would've maybe kept the answers on subject. 
The confusing part is "to get full pension you'll need 30-44 years". Appears not to be true according to several posts. 

No it's not, there are other factual inaccuracies with that graphic.  For example,

The standard new State Pension is £185.15/week not £185. 

From April 2023 it will be £203.85/week, not £204.

You could get to £185.15 with less than 30 years.

Plus the fact that under the old rules, it's the BASIC state pension that's £141.85 a week (if you're going to round, Martin, be consistent - why is £141.85 rounded down to £141, but £203.85 rounded up to £204?).

Calling it the FULL state pension leads to the misunderstanding that is all everyone under the old rules got, when in fact many got much more than that with SERPS/S2P, leading to the 'hard done by/unfair ' complaints we see on this board from time to time. 

Now I remember why I never watch the program - my blood pressure couldn't take it...

eastcorkram

Here's two screen shots of what mine says today. I currently have 31 years paid, and reach S.P.A. in 2025.

Linton

Billportland said:

zagfles said:

Because she was in a contracted out occupational scheme which took over responsibility for paying part of the state pension and got NI rebates to do so.

Search the forum, the same question is asked every week.

The question asked is "why 45 years" when the maximum, according to this site, is 44.

Billportland said:

I should've posted this pic in the OP, would've maybe kept the answers on subject. 
The confusing part is "to get full pension you'll need 30-44 years". Appears not to be true according to several posts. 

Martin Lewis has nothing to do with this site - he sold it in 2012.

p00hsticks

eastcorkram said:

Here's two screen shots of what mine says today. I currently have 31 years paid, and reach S.P.A. in 2025.

That's quite an unusual one. 

The fact that you current have more than the £185.15 maximum indicates that you had already reached that amount by April 2016 and so have a 'protected payment'. I presume that it must be the possibility of filling the additional year 2006-2007 that would result in the further increase (earlier years are no longer available to buy, and you only have until April to buy 2006-7).

In contrast to what we tell a lot of people on these boards, in this particular case, post-2016 years aren't going to increase your forecast any further (but you have to continue to pay NI until you reach State Retirement Age if you are working)

MikeyPGT

I have 43 years of full contributions and an estimate of £158.68 for a SRA of April 2027, suggesting something like 49 years for a 'full' pension ...  It definitely is complicated but who said anything in this life is fair?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

MikeyPGT said:

I have 43 years of full contributions and an estimate of £158.68 for a SRA of April 2027, suggesting something like 49 years for a 'full' pension ...  It definitely is complicated but who said anything in this life is fair?

True, I suspect there will be some people who don't like the fact you have (almost certainly) paid reduced NI for many years but now have the chance to increase your State Pension.

But that's not your concern, you've probably just struck gold with the transitional rules.

zagfles

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

MikeyPGT said:

I have 43 years of full contributions and an estimate of £158.68 for a SRA of April 2027, suggesting something like 49 years for a 'full' pension ...  It definitely is complicated but who said anything in this life is fair?

True, I suspect there will be some people who don't like the fact you have (almost certainly) paid reduced NI for many years but now have the chance to increase your State Pension.

But that's not your concern, you've probably just struck gold with the transitional rules.

It's strange how the big winners from the transition always seem to be ones who always come on here complaining "it's not's fair" etc whereas the losers don't, probably because the vast majority don't realise they're losers!

xylophone

That's quite an unusual one. 

And has been discussed on previous occasions!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78998704/#Comment_78998704

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79803882/#Comment_79803882

And I think that  she was pointed in the direction of 

https://www.dpf.org.uk/explorer/files/TOPPING-UP-YOUR-STATE-PENSION-GUIDE.pdf and notes.

I wonder did eastcorkram ever  follow the suggestion made a year or so back to do as this poster and get chapter and verse from DWP?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79394659/#Comment_79394659

molerat

eastcorkram said:

Here's two screen shots of what mine says today. I currently have 31 years paid, and reach S.P.A. in 2025.

I hope you are arranging to pay that gap ( which if had been done before the 2019 "soft" cut off would have cost a mere £392.60 !)

And as for "it's complicated", note the increase is only £4.46 where we normally state a pre 2016 year will add £4.73