The Senior Wonder Years!

[Deleted User]

I am also pleased to be able to report that my state pension figures have already been adjusted upwards after topping up my NI payments for 2023/2024 on April 29th. This was year 47 and the final year I needed to pay in full. It is actually the final year that would count anyway as my birthday is in July! I am due to receive my first partial state pension payment, covering just over 2 weeks, on 31st July. After that every four weeks  beginning on August 28th 2024.

Working part-time for several years after taking my teacher's pension enabled me to reach the full 'new' state pension (minus just a few pence) even though I was contracted out for so many years.
 
I am very happy with how quickly the my NI record was updated and the adjustment to my state pension actioned. 
Having read reports that some people have had to wait weeks or months to have their records and figures updated I am relieved that mine was all sorted in just 7 days from the NI top up payment to the DWP updating my figures.

The DWP now have a website where you can check your state pension payments and inform them of changes in circumstance. I think it is easier to register if you have a Government Gateway account.
Here is the link;
Manage your State Pension - GOV.UK (manage-state-pension.service.gov.uk)

[Deleted User]

I have also planned a 'new budget' that begins in August when my first full state pension payment will be made.
 
In addition to setting spending pots in my Loyalty Saver  (mainly for annual bills, travel plans, Christmas, Clothes etc.....) I will begin a new regular saver paying in £200 a month at 6%, as well as paying regular amounts into my cash and S&S ISAs.

I do need to re-build my depleted savings, that have taken a little hammering since I fully retired last June! The state pension will greatly assist with that target.

The exterior clean of the house, paved driveway and patio areas are complete and those areas look great. The work on the utility and cloakroom upgrades should also be completed over the summer hopefully.

The improved weather recently has enabled to get the garden more or less prepared for the summer. When I get back from holiday, the week after next, I plan to plant up the containers and baskets as well as some new perennials for one larger flower bed.

All I have to do now is some final packing. The house has been cleaned and everything is in order. Apart from swimming tomorrow evening I am not planning on going out. If the weather is as good as it has been today I will spend the next couple of days pottering about and getting a bit of a base tan lol.

We leave for the airport on Sunday afternoon and will stay at the airport Hilton before flying out on Monday.

Sunshine_girl2

Great to see you back posting. I have just returned from Cyprus , Paphos area . The weather was beautiful and it wasn't too busy which I prefer. Not sure where you are on Cyprus but have a great time. 

Skint_yet_Again

Great to see you posting again @[Deleted User] & good news on your state pension being sorted so quickly and fairly painless by the sounds of it. Have a great holiday. 

[Deleted User]

Sunshine_girl2 said:

Great to see you back posting. I have just returned from Cyprus , Paphos area . The weather was beautiful and it wasn't too busy which I prefer. Not sure where you are on Cyprus but have a great time. 

We are also flying to the Paphos area and have rented a private villa with pool. This will be my 12th visit,

[Deleted User]

Skint_yet_Again said:

Great to see you posting again @[Deleted User] & good news on your state pension being sorted so quickly and fairly painless by the sounds of it. Have a great holiday. 

Many thanks for your best wishes. Yes the state pension was sorted very quickly for which I am grateful.

Humdinger1

Wonderful to see you posting again @[Deleted User]! Thank you; looking forward to your news again.   Love Humdinger 

WYSPECIAL

[Deleted User] said:

Sunshine_girl2 said:

Great to see you back posting. I have just returned from Cyprus , Paphos area . The weather was beautiful and it wasn't too busy which I prefer. Not sure where you are on Cyprus but have a great time. 

We are also flying to the Paphos area and have rented a private villa with pool. This will be my 12th visit,

Good to see this thread back up and running, I’ve missed it.

Have a great holiday!

sheilavw

good to see you this thread re-opened. I must check my state pension, I too opted out for a few years. I went from 5 days to 4 days last sept in a busy secondary school, I am now 29 and a half hours. I have a small monthly pension from my late Husband, who sadly died of MND at 59. I have been led to believe I will get a bit extra on my state pension. I manage quite well on 4 days and have been putting any surplus from my current account into my savings account recently.

I too swim 32 lengths (half a mile) when i go to my local gym

Humboldt

@[Deleted User] wishing you a wonderful holiday.