Cut off from Future Pension Centre phone line - is there an easier way to sort things out?

p00hsticks

ilovedogs13 said:

Thank you so much. So, from what has been said above, it seems it's worth me making up one of these later years at around £670 contribution, as providing I live for more than 3 years after I retire, I'll recoup the cost of the voluntary contribution? Have I understood this correctly? 

Yes, you have.

ilovedogs13 said:

And do I need to pay this vol. contribution by 31st July this year? 

No you can pay for years until they are more that six years old, although prices will rise after July

sugar_say

Hope I'm okay to butt into this thread. Like the original poster, I can't get hold of the Future Pension Centre. Over several weeks I've tried many times ringing. I'm on the phone ages and then it cuts off. My tax years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 are "not full". When I click for more details it says "We are checking this year to see if it counts towards your pension. We’ll update your record when this is finished, you do not need to do anything". But it has been showing this for years, so how am I supposed to know how much to top up by, and how to go about doing that, that if I can't get hold of the future Pension Centre? Note that they have an address to write to, which I have done twice now with no reply. 

p00hsticks

First steps first - are you sure that the years in question are going to boost you state pension - have you got a forecast, and if so, what does it say ?

The 'checking' message most commonly relates to periods of self employment. Is this the case in you case and if so, did you pay the relevant Class 2 NI for the years in question and can you you show that ?

xylophone

What exactly does your state pension forecast show as to

Current £££.pp amount accrued up to April 2022 (and if that amount was from a forecast pre or post April 11th 2023)
Number of pre 2016 NI years full
Number of post 2016 NI years full
Tax year you reach state retirement
Any COPE amount shown, in a click link in "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" if there is one.
Years which show not full and prices

sugar_say

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80026783#Comment_80026783

Thanks for replying. It says…

Estimate based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2023

£198.54 a week

Forecast if you contribute another year before 5 April 2033

£203.85 a week

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80026785#Comment_80026785

Thanks for replying. I do not have this click link (Any COPE amount shown, in a click link in "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" if there is one.)

molerat

So you need to gain one more year before 2033 to reach the maximum pension.

What are you currently doing - employed, self employed, something else ?

Were you self employed during those 2 "checking" years ? If so did you pay class 2 ?

sugar_say

molerat said:

So you need to gain one more year before 2033 to reach the maximum pension.

What are you currently doing - employed, self employed, something else ?

Were you self employed during those 2 "checking" years ? If so did you pay class 2 ?

Sorry didn't get back earlier - I'm a single dad living with children who these days is on universal credit. The two years missing I was a sole trader with the tiniest company (more a hobby than business). The person who did my taxes is no longer with is. I'm dreadful with books, so I suspect the class 2 didn't get paid. What should be my next move?    

molerat

If you are on UC you should be getting class 3 credits so with only one more year needed there is nothing for you to do, the credits you are receiving should cover this year.

p00hsticks

sugarray said:

molerat said:

So you need to gain one more year before 2033 to reach the maximum pension.

What are you currently doing - employed, self employed, something else ?

Were you self employed during those 2 "checking" years ? If so did you pay class 2 ?

Sorry didn't get back earlier - I'm a single dad living with children who these days is on universal credit. The two years missing I was a sole trader with the tiniest company (more a hobby than business). The person who did my taxes is no longer with is. I'm dreadful with books, so I suspect the class 2 didn't get paid. What should be my next move?    

AS molerat says, UC comes with Class 3 credits, although they may not show on your record at the moment as I believe there is currently an issue with DWP passing the info across to HMRC. They are aware of the problem and are working on it so it should show up eventually. 
You don't say how old the children are but if the youngest is under 12 and you are claiming Child Benefit you will also be getting credits via that route.  

sugar_say

sugarray said:

molerat said:

So you need to gain one more year before 2033 to reach the maximum pension.

What are you currently doing - employed, self employed, something else ?

Were you self employed during those 2 "checking" years ? If so did you pay class 2 ?

Sorry didn't get back earlier - I'm a single dad living with children who these days is on universal credit. The two years missing I was a sole trader with the tiniest company (more a hobby than business). The person who did my taxes is no longer with is. I'm dreadful with books, so I suspect the class 2 didn't get paid. What should be my next move?    

AS molerat says, UC comes with Class 3 credits, although they may not show on your record at the moment as I believe there is currently an issue with DWP passing the info across to HMRC. They are aware of the problem and are working on it so it should show up eventually. 
You don't say how old the children are but if the youngest is under 12 and you are claiming Child Benefit you will also be getting credits via that route.  

Thank you molerat, and p00hsticks. Both are under 12, and the youngest I get disability living allowance for.