HMRC computer error

Junter

I checked my pension forecast online and found I had no NI contributions for 2004/05 even though I had fully paid NI for that period. I contacted my former employer and they said that due to an HMRC computer error, around half a million NI records had been wiped. My former employer only discovered this in 2017 after I had left the employer so didn't get to hear about it. I contacted Future Pensions today to discuss making voluntary contributions and to have my contributions for 2004/05 restored. The chap I spoke to said there was no way I'd get my missing records restored as it went back too far even though it was HMRC's error. Can this be right?

pinnks

It would certainly be HMRC's error and 2004/05 is out of date for paying voluntarily. That said, if it is a known errror, then HMRC should fix it.

The bigger question is, does it matter? How many full years do you have on your record up to 2015/16? If that is more that 35 then fixing the issue won't impact your new state pension, when you come to claim it.

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6444037/hmrc-computer-error

How did your former employer know this - who confirmed it to them? And why would they suddenly 'discover' this in 2017? Knowing that might be useful.

Make a SAR and get your full employment history:

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/DPU_SAR_NI

That might help your case.

Were you in a pension scheme with your employer in 2004-05, and any idea if it was 'contracted out' of the State Additional Pension?

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80029146#Comment_80029146

It was certainly known: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2006/jun/19/statepensions.business

Junter

Yes, I need that year. I have 42 NI years but contracted out for some of them so need to top up if I can. Apparently a civil servant discovered the error while checking their own forecast. After I found out what the issue was from my former employer a google search brought up some news articles about it.

Junter

Thanks, I'll do a SAR. My former employer has provided the information that HMRC might need about mu NI contributions for the missing year. I was in a company scheme and was contracted out

molerat

With in excess of 35 pre 2016 years, probably actually 30 with a decent contracted out history, adding that missing pre 2016 year is unlikely to make any difference, maybe a few pence in S2P if lucky. Your efforts would be better concentrated on topping up post 2016. Post up the full details and someone will help.

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

Junter

Yes my cope amount is about £70 so I've planned to top up some post 2016 years starting with the cheapest.

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80029223#Comment_80029223

Being in a contracted company scheme should certainly help in terms of proving NI contributions were paid for that year!

pinnks

It is still not clear whether you need to bother about that year.  If it has no impact on your pension forecast why bother chasing with a SAR?

As molerat says, and with a COPE of that amount, as long as you have at least 30 full years for 2015/16 and earlier, that year will have no impact whether it is full or empty. 

If you post the numbers molerat asked for you can get certainty...

ggmf

I was checking my record to see when 2022-23 contributions would be added to my record. My record used to show  49 years of full contributions, 1 year to contribute before 5 April 2023. it now shows 48 years of full contributions, 1 year to contribute before 5 April 2023, 1 year when you did not contribute enough which is allegedly 1997 to 1998   {shrugs}