Deferring state pension - can this time be used for buying extra qualifying year(s)?

grumbler

I read the MSE guide, but haven't found the answer there. Does this mean that the answer is 'No'?

I see that deferring by 1 year results in 5.8% increase. Is my understanding correct that this is the case even if one doesn't work and doesn't make any voluntary contributions?
If so, IMO it's illogical if  this year cannot add to the number of qualifying years - either through working or making a voluntary contribution.
ETA: the number of qualifying years is currently less than max. 35.

Silvertabby

No, you can't add to your pension by paying NI (either by working or paying voluntary NI) after your last full financial year before SPA.  

QrizB

grumbler said:

If so, IMO it's illogical if  this year cannot add to the number of qualifying years

Logic doesn't come into it. It's tax & benefit law.

grumbler

QrizB said:

grumbler said:

If so, IMO it's illogical if  this year cannot add to the number of qualifying years

Logic doesn't come into it. It's tax & benefit law.

What does this have to do with tax? And are you saying that law is inherently illogical? To some degree I agree. Idiots are everywhere - including among lawmakers.

QrizB

grumbler said:

QrizB said:

grumbler said:

If so, IMO it's illogical if  this year cannot add to the number of qualifying years

Logic doesn't come into it. It's tax & benefit law.

What does this have to do with tax?

National Insurance is a tax.

grumbler said:

And are you saying that law is inherently illogical?

I'm saying that you can't draw logical inferences from comparing laws. "If X is true, and Y is true, then Z is true" doesn't work with legislation.

grumbler

QrizB said:

...

grumbler said:

And are you saying that law is inherently illogical?

I'm saying that you can't draw logical inferences from comparing laws. "If X is true, and Y is true, then Z is true" doesn't work with legislation.

I didn't compare anything.  And I said 'illogical' - this term has little to do with formal logic.

"not reasonable, wise, or practical" - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/illogical

If you prefer, I can say 'makes no sense' instead of 'is illogical'.

(Most of) legislation does make sense. There are exceptions.

If you earn more, you (generally) pay more tax.

The more qualifying years you have, the higher pension you get.

THIS  makes sense.

If you don't have full 35 years, you can fill gaps back to 2006(?), but you cannot buy an extra year if you defer your pension. This makes no sense.

ETA: and, BTW, I don't think that voluntary contributions are 'tax'.

molerat

If you don't have full 35 years, you can fill gaps back to 2006(?), but you cannot buy an extra year if you defer your pension. This makes no sense.

The "sense" is that you can only contribute for years between the tax year you reach your 16th birthday to the tax year before you reach state retirement age, your "working life". I can't see anything illogical around not allowing you to contribute beyond then.

If you don't have full 35 years

Which is of no relevance to anyone not born this century