How long does it take to get changes made to state pension following NI credits paid

wren2

It took 6 months for the Pension Service to answer my letter asking how much I would increase my pension if I paid six missing years NI credits. I could not get through to speak to anyone in that time. Finally, they rang three weeks before my first pension payment was due, and give them their due, the guy I spoke with was brilliant, explained it all and yes it was definitely worth doing, £200+ more per month. I have to live for 3 years now to make up what I have paid out and then it is a bonus. It was also easy to do, but you have to make sure you tell them exactly what you are paying for which years, and he told me carefully what to do. 

He said the additional sum would be payable from my actual pension date, if I paid before then. So I literally dug into savings and paid immediately, two weeks before hitting 66yrs old. HMRC were excellent (not something I say often), confirmed it by email and I can see on the website I am fully paid up!

Not a word from the Pension Service who continue to pay me the lower rate, and it seems impossible to speak to anyone there. Of course I have written twice, just to prompt someone to check. And nothing. 

Has anyone any tips for how to get through to them or an idea how long it might take to get the additional pension I am now owed? 

QrizB

wren2 said:

Has anyone any tips for how to get through to them or an idea how long it might take to get the additional pension I am now owed?

People have been reporting several months or up to a year.
You will get pension arrears once they catch up.

p00hsticks

wren2 said:

It took 6 months for the Pension Service to answer my letter asking how much I would increase my pension if I paid six missing years NI credits. ..... the guy I spoke with was brilliant, explained it all and yes it was definitely worth doing, £200+ more per month. 

Are you rounding up a bit there ? Each year should give you a maximum addition of £5.82 a week, so buying six years would increase your pension by around £34.95 a week or around £150 a month - still very worthwhile , but I can't see how it's going to give you £200+  extra a month. 

TadleyBaggie

In my wife's case it was roughly 6 months. It is backdated to when the claim is started.