How long to update my state pension years?

uknick

As part of my 2022-23 self assessment I paid a voluntary Class 2 NI payment to buy another pension year.

Yesterday I looked at my National Insurance record and it shows 2022-23 as "Year is not full" with my contributions as 34 years paid.  This is the same number of years when I looked at my record in September just gone.  The difference being, in September 2022-23 showed as "Your record for this year is not available yet", not "Year is not full".  One assumes the difference in year description means they've processed my Class 2 payment. 

The message for "Year is not full" is ;

"We are checking this year to see if it counts towards your pension. We’ll update your record when this is finished, you do not need to do anything."

But, I've just noticed for my other "Year is not full" years from 2014-15 they also say;  

"We are checking this year to see if it counts towards your pension. We’ll update your record when this is finished, you do not need to do anything."

I know DWP's pension section can be slow, but nearly 10 years to confirm I've not paid enough in a year.

Therefore, before I pay another Class 2 for the 2023-24 year, how long will It be before I get a message such as "Full year" with a message indicating it was filled by self assessment payments?

And, yes I know the latest autumn statement indicates there may be changes to the Class 2 NI payment system.

molerat

The old year will likely not be clarified until they reconcile your record when your SP is due, it generally means you were eligible to pay class 2 but did not.  The newer year will be sorted as soon as they allocate the payment and at the moment that is taking several months. If you phone them they often find the payment and allocate it.

uknick

Thanks for confirming what I thought might happen, i.e. they won't do anything until nearer the time my pension is due.  Now I just need to see what arrangements will be in place for Class 2 payments from January 2024. 

WillowCat

uknick said: Now I just need to see what arrangements will be in place for Class 2 payments from January 2024. 

They have already stated that it will be possible for the self employed with profits under £6,725 to still pay class 2 voluntarily.

uknick

WillowCat said:

uknick said: Now I just need to see what arrangements will be in place for Class 2 payments from January 2024. 

They have already stated that it will be possible for the self employed with profits under £6,725 to still pay class 2 voluntarily.

They have and I'm assuming there'll be no change for the 2023-24 year.  I'm also going to assume they'll quietly drop the abolishment of Class 2 as it's too difficult to achieve.  Just like they did in 2019 after failing to achieve George Osborne's promise in 2015 to abolish them.