Reference number for Class 3 NI voluntary contributions. Do I need to do this before April

Dazed_and_C0nfused

molerat said:

PatrickPrecis said:

I was surprised to read that paying additional years voluntary contributions can make good the shortfall caused, not by missing years, but by the pre 2016 NI contributions having been reduced due to membership of a pension scheme such as teachers/local govt.
I have 39 years of full pre 2016 contributions and could pay an additional 7 years ( my pension started yesterday at 66, paying 150pw instead of the full 182 !).
Given that I have spent a month in the phone queue can people point me to the pensions guidance which shows the payment of voluntary NI contributions will reduce the shortfall created by being  contracted out ?

Years 2015-16 and earlier will not add to your pension, you are limited to an absolute maximum of 35 but most likely 30 if contracted out - it's complicated -  but any available gaps 2016 gaps 2016-17 and later will add value at £5.39 each up to the maximum £185.15.

AFAIAW there is no official written guidance, it is all contained in the various pensions acts and that is like wading through treacle, but many of us on here know exactly how it works.  There used to be a Royal London flow chart but that was a few years back

This is a version from a few years back (but post 2016).

Much better than most websites explanations.

But not as good as this forum community of course 😊

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.royallondon.com/siteassets/site-docs/media-centre/good-with-your-money-guides/topping-up-your-state-pension-guide.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiB0cPN-cf9AhVQXsAKHVocBqAQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1EZqV_HvoxbZPC3Evp2a77

p00hsticks

molerat said:

PatrickPrecis said:

I was surprised to read that paying additional years voluntary contributions can make good the shortfall caused, not by missing years, but by the pre 2016 NI contributions having been reduced due to membership of a pension scheme such as teachers/local govt.
I have 39 years of full pre 2016 contributions and could pay an additional 7 years ( my pension started yesterday at 66, paying 150pw instead of the full 182 !).
Given that I have spent a month in the phone queue can people point me to the pensions guidance which shows the payment of voluntary NI contributions will reduce the shortfall created by being  contracted out ?

AFAIAW there is no official written guidance, it is all contained in the various pensions acts and that is like wading through treacle, but many of us on here know exactly how it works.  There used to be a Royal London flow chart but that was a few years back

I think this is the 'topping up your state pension' flow chart yo uare referring to - I'm not sure if it has been updated to reflect the latest pension figures
topping-up-your-state-pension-guide.pdf (royallondon.com)

molerat

p00hsticks said:

molerat said:

PatrickPrecis said:

I was surprised to read that paying additional years voluntary contributions can make good the shortfall caused, not by missing years, but by the pre 2016 NI contributions having been reduced due to membership of a pension scheme such as teachers/local govt.
I have 39 years of full pre 2016 contributions and could pay an additional 7 years ( my pension started yesterday at 66, paying 150pw instead of the full 182 !).
Given that I have spent a month in the phone queue can people point me to the pensions guidance which shows the payment of voluntary NI contributions will reduce the shortfall created by being  contracted out ?

AFAIAW there is no official written guidance, it is all contained in the various pensions acts and that is like wading through treacle, but many of us on here know exactly how it works.  There used to be a Royal London flow chart but that was a few years back

I think this is the 'topping up your state pension' flow chart yo uare referring to - I'm not sure if it has been updated to reflect the latest pension figures
topping-up-your-state-pension-guide.pdf (royallondon.com)

That's the one.  i hope the late comers don't look at the before April 2019 prices