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

Allie555

I didn't know anything about the state pension & feel really stupid for not looking into it sooner, but didn't know where to start or that there were any deadlines until yesterday when the money saving expert came on this morning.  I had to give up work due to chronic pain that I can't prove, so have had no income or paid any NI for the last few yrs and am unlikely to work again, so expected them to be empty but was also shocked yesterday to find the 5yrs I spent in full time education re-sitting 3 A levels, 2yrs on HND, 2yrs Degree, all full time, did not give my any years of NI.  I have 29 years full & 8 years to contribute.  On the face of it I would benefit from filling some years, but the rules are confusing me about which years work towards it & I spent all day yesterday trying to get through (like everyone else) I can't tell if its cutting me off or if they just don't have holding music, so am currently on 105 minutes holding on the future pensions line, it seems impossible to contact them and there is no information on how to do it without contacting them over the phone, I feel stumped & really starting to panic about it. 

Is there a way to do it without speaking to the future pensions line?

I have 1979 - 1982 full

1982 - 1987 not full (I was in full time education) Not possible to fill these

1987 - 2013 full

2013 - 2023 not full 2013-14 £665.70, middle years £824.20, 2020-21 £795.60

My pension is due to start in 2031

molerat

A little more detail needed - what is your current amount at April 2022 or 2023 ? Any COPE amount shown, in a click link in "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" if there is one.

xylophone

Could you post a screenshot of your state pension forecast?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

And see p6 here

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

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/deadlines

men6pr

Hello All.
A recent search for help after three weeks of trying to contact the Pension Service, (option 1, 4 ,1), has brought me to this thread.
I have read the entirety of this thread and think I understand most of the answers to peoples queries but not how it applies to me.
I wonder if some kind soul would have a look at my information and propose my best course of action and the steps to be taken.

On the gov.uk website my first forecast gave the following information.

£178.21 per week.
41 full years contributions.
9 years not contributed enough.
Those 9 years above were explained as follows.
2019-2020 21 weeks £491.35
2018-2019 0 weeks £824.20
2017-2018 0 weeks £824.20
2016-2017 0 weeks £824.20
2015-2017 0 weeks £824.20
2014-2015 46 weeks £95.10
1994-1995 51 weeks Too Late
1977-1978 £28.03 Too Late
1976-1977 £32.57 Too Late

Therefore I appear to have 32 years (41 minus 9) full contributions ?

My next step was to apply for my pension by invitation code.
My state pension will start in late July this year.
I then contacted the Pension Service to gain a forecast, (not the dreaded 1, 4, 1 option).

A forecast was sent by post and this confirmed the total of £178.21 per week.
Also it stated "You can improve your forecast".
Also "The most you can improve your forecast to is £201.51".
It also states I contracted out and my COPE estimate is £71.84 per week.

(Additional information. 4 years 2015 to 2019 I volunteered for an Ambulance Charitable Trust, hence zero contributions.
Other gaps due  to 7 periods of redundancy through no fault of my own.
Currently receiving Care Allowance while looking after my elderly Mother).

I suppose my questions are as follows.
How do I improve my pension forecast since it appears I can do so ?
Would the 2104 - 2015 year be worth paying the £95.20 for and by how much would it increase my forecast ?
How much would I have to pay out now to achieve the maximum forecast of £201.51 ?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this comment and I would greatly appreciate any advice given.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

I don't think buying pre 2016 years will increase your pension.

But adding 4 post 2016 years will take you to £201.51/week.

What happened in the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 years?

molerat

Years 2015-16 and earlier WILL NOT add to your pension.  You need to buy the 4 years 2016-17 to 2019-20

men6pr

Sorry for not replying earlier.

In answer to the Dazed_and_C0nfused question.
The period 2020 to 2023 present day consists of a short period of unemployment/employment which I had to relinquish to become a full time carer for my 94 year old mother.

Thank you molerat for confirming that years 2015-16 and earlier will not add to my pension.
There appears to be a lot of wrong information still circulating elsewhere that indicates earlier years before 2015-2016 can still be contibuted towards.
Interesting that the gov.uk pension forecast seems to give the impression that I could contribute for year 2014 to 2015 especially.
So the next question I need to ask myself is whether an outlay of £2964 approx would be a sound investment.
An additional £23.30 approx per week pension which becomes a sound investment should I live longer than two and a half years.
How on earth do I decide that without hoping for the best possible outcome.
Many thanks to both of you for your response.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

There appears to be a lot of wrong information still circulating elsewhere that indicates earlier years before 2015-2016 can still be contibuted towards.

They can still be bought until July.  There is nothing to stop you adding that year if you wish.

But it won't increase your State Pension entitlement.

Have you any reason to think you won't live long enough to receive your money back 🤔.

Don't forget you only get £23.30/week in the first tax year you receive State Pension.

The second year will be £23.30 + triple lock increase.

The third year will £23.30 + triple lock increase + a second triple lock increase.  And so on.

molerat

There appears to be a lot of wrong information still circulating elsewhere that indicates earlier years before 2015-2016 can still be contibuted towards.

Pre 2016 years can be purchased and can add to pension entitlement ....... but ........ in your case they will not.  It is all down to your personal circumstances.

Sarahspangles

men6pr said:

So the next question I need to ask myself is whether an outlay of £2964 approx would be a sound investment.
An additional £23.30 approx per week pension which becomes a sound investment should I live longer than two and a half years.
How on earth do I decide that without hoping for the best possible outcome.

If you’re caring for a 94 year old mum at least 50% of your genes spell ‘longevity’