The future pension service hanging up

abookhalfread

I am trying desperately to fill in the gaps in my national insurance record by paying the shortfalls in various years as last week mse program advised. In order to pay, it's not clear what to do apart from contact the future pension service. Tried this three times. Each time the phone is hung up/cut off immediately. Same for the general hmrc number. What's going on, how can I pay?

molerat

If you absolutely 100% KNOW the effect that each year will have on your pension then you can contact HMRC and pay.

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

SegmentedSarah

I've had the same issue today. I'm unclear about my situation and really want to discuss it. It's maddening.

molerat

SegmentedSarah said:

I've had the same issue today. I'm unclear about my situation and really want to discuss it. It's maddening.

If you need to know how years will add to your pension post up some anonymous details from your forecast and someone here will likely be able to help

Current £ amount accrued up to April 2022
Number of pre 2016 years full
Number of post 2016 years full
Financial year you reach state retirement
Any COPE amount shown
Years which show not full and prices

JaneyQ1

Hi, I'm  new to this so hopefully I'm in the right place!
I too have been trying to contact the Future Pensions Service unsuccessfully. I have rang and sent 2 emails on the gov.uk system, no acknowledgement. I have also emailed the DWP Independent Complaints office so am waiting to see if I get a response.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

My query to discuss is:-  I took early retirement to help look after grandchildren  2009. Also did 2 yrs Fostering but didn't pay NI because I had full years up to 2009.
My forecast says 
35 full years
£146.85 est based NI to 5.4.22
£162.72 if contribute to 5.4.25
£173.30 if pay shortfalls.
Why does it say I have full years but I am not on the full pension?

Any advice would be great.
Thanks

kippers

Ive been ringing ALL MORNING and if i get through to the ‘all calls are being recorded’ bit it cuts me off. Im now waiting on a complaints number i got online as ive had enough…ill probably be on this for hours and betold its the wrong number.  Honestly i think i will be past retirement age when i finally get through, all i want is the 18 digit number to pay my missing years as i know the exact amount to pay

molerat

Because 35 years is not relevant to those with a NI record pre 2016, especially so if contracted out.

What is your COPE amount - a click link in the " you were in a contracted out pension" bit

Have you been claiming the parent's NI credits whilst looking after the grandchildren ?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

kippers said:

Ive been ringing ALL MORNING and if i get through to the ‘all calls are being recorded’ bit it cuts me off. Im now waiting on a complaints number i got online as ive had enough…ill probably be on this for hours and betold its the wrong number.  Honestly i think i will be past retirement age when i finally get through, all i want is the 18 digit number to pay my missing years as i know the exact amount to pay

But you don't actually need that reference number.

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

JaneyQ1

Moderate,
Thanks for your advice. I've been trawling the Internet and come across COPE GMP and NI modification. Its a minefield, a lot to take in! I don't know why they insinuate that full 35 years is all you need to get a full pension. Clearly not.  Minefield, a lot to take in!  I will look into the child care credits too but don't want it to grossly affect my daughters pension in the future.

JaneyQ1

Sorry Molerat not Moderate !?

molerat

JaneyQ1 said:

Moderate,
Thanks for your advice. I've been trawling the Internet and come across COPE GMP and NI modification. Its a minefield, a lot to take in! I don't know why they insinuate that full 35 years is all you need to get a full pension. Clearly not.  Minefield, a lot to take in!  I will look into the child care credits too but don't want it to grossly affect my daughters pension in the future.

You can only transfer the credits she is receiving from child benefit if she is also receiving credits from working, she cannot lose her pension entitlement.  It is free state pension years, MrsM saved having to spend £2.9K on class 3 !

But, pre 2016 years may not add to your pension amount, the full details asked in the post above your first will clear that up and enable us to spell out all your options.

The only reference to a definite 35 years has been in the press.  All official sources that mention 35 years specify that it only applies to anyone with no pre 2016 NI history.