DWP

redginger44

Can anybody help I am 68 and already drawing my state pension i topped up 3 years in march 2023 and it changed to 44 years - 6 to date I have had no increase and every time DWP say it will be pushed through and arrears paid last week I phoned and was told my pension is correct - how can that be and I am struggling to get any response to explain the calculations anybody else experiencing this situation and I don’t understand why not having full pension as have 35 years in !

molerat

35 years is of no relevance to anyone with a pre 2016 history.

Which years did you top up ?  Pre 2016 years may not have added anything to the pension. Did you take advice from DWP (not HMRC) before topping up ?

Another post just appeared on here on the subject with a link to a news article

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-13350453/Savers-waste-state-pension-ups-WRONG-advice-DWP-HMRC.html

fatbelly

How much are you getting? The full new-style pension is £221.20 pw, paid 4-weekly

redginger44

I get £185 each week and topped up years 2013 - 2016

Dazed_and_C0nfused

redginger44 said:

I get £185 each week and topped up years 2013 - 2016

Why did you think topping up those years would increase your State Pension?

They might do but not necessarily so what was it that led you to believe they would?

fatbelly

redginger44 said:

I get £185 each week and topped up years 2013 - 2016

Ok. There's some reduction going on then. Have you requested a written breakdown?

german_keeper

fatbelly said:

redginger44 said:

I get £185 each week and topped up years 2013 - 2016

Ok. There's some deduction going on then. Have you requested a written breakdown?

I don't think there are any circumstances where deductions are made from State Pension. It is just calculated on your NI record based on the rules in place at the time. 

molerat

redginger44 said:

I get £185 each week and topped up years 2013 - 2016

There is the problem. You already had more than 30 pre 2016 years with a contracted out history. Pre 2016 years could not add to your pension. Again, did you take advice from DWP before buying?

redginger44

Have asked for a breakdown but DWP don’t seem in any great rush to respond !

Dazed_and_C0nfused

redginger44 said:

Have asked for a breakdown but DWP don’t seem in any great rush to respond !

What measures did you take to ensure buying pre 2016 years was a good use of your money though?

As @molerat explained they won't help you, it's post 2016 years that could of been of benefit (if any were available).

There are some people who, because of a relatively short period between 2016 and them reaching State Pension age, won't be able to achieve the standard new State Pension of £221.20/week.

cochrbarbara

I recently retired and worked in NHS for over 40 years. I have paid all NI contributions, so expected to receive the full state pension. I am not getting the full amount and when contacted the DWP was told that I don’t get it as have an occupational pension, I cannot find any information about this anywhere.
why is there not more information available anywhere?