Voluntary NI contributions

debmouse

My husband reaches state retirement age in 2025. His NI record shows he has 38 years of full contributions, but his pension forecast states that to get his full forecasted pension he needs to make continue to make contributions until he reaches retirement age. 
We understood that 35 years full contributions were sufficient to obtain a full state pension  - is that correct or have we misunderstood? 
He is no longer working but is registered as self-employed to cover a small amount he earns from various sources so could pay voluntary Class 2 if necessary. 
Be really grateful for your thoughts  - tried Future Pension phone line but can't get through! 

Pat38493

Suggestion to moderators to move this post to the sub forum about state pension top up....

No it's not correct - the 35 years only really applies to people who started their first employment after April 2016 and will work their entire career under the new system.  Your husband is in a transitional situation and could well need more than 35 years, especially if he was contracted out of SP contributions due to being in a DB pension scheme at some point in the past.

Most likely he will need to top up the pension and for sure will need to call Future pensions at some point (deadline has now been extended to 2025).

Others will reply with more details I expect.

molerat

Post up the full details from his forecast and someone will tell you his situation and what needs doing etc.

Current weekly £££.pp amount accrued up to April 2022 (or 2023 as some have been updated)
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

If his profits are above the SPT, £6725 for 22-23 & 23-24, but below the SPL he will be credited with clkass 2 with nothing to pay

https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/self-employment/what-national-insurance-do-i-pay-if-i-am-self-employed

debmouse

Thanks so much for your help. Details are as follows:

Current weekly £££.pp amount accrued up to April 2022 (or 2023 as some have been updated)  - 191.94 to 2022

Number of pre 2016 NI years full ‐ 32

Number of post 2016 NI years full - 6

Tax year you reach state retirement - 2025-26

Any COPE amount shown, in a click link in "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" if there is one. - 72.87

Years which show not full and prices - 1980-89

p00hsticks

with a COPE value like that any additional pre-2016 years wouldn't increase his forecast, and in any case it is too late to buy years 1980-1989. 

As you say he is now self-employed, making the voluntary Class 2 contributinos for 2022-23 and 2023-24 would be well worth it and, by my rough calculations would boost his weekly pension to with a few pence of the £203.85 maximum .