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Boosting your state pension should now be quicker and easier as new online tool launches

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  • ProDave
    ProDave Posts: 3,785 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I have one more recent incomplete year but it did not show on my screen grab as I scrolled down to show the 2006 transition.

    I have no "view payable gaps" button.
  • Can't see any change on mine, definitely no split between pre and post 2006. But every year is a full year and I have the full amount with " you can't improve your forecast," so maybe that's why. When 23/24 is updated that won't be a full year so maybe something will change then. Or maybe the can't improve your forecast will just override that. Or maybe there is more info there and I am just too rubbish to find it. Who knows, exciting times!!
  • JoeCrystal
    JoeCrystal Posts: 3,322 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 30 April 2024 at 3:13PM
    I am unsure if anyone posted this, but I came across this today.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/online-voluntary-national-insurance-payments-service-launches

    The service will show customers by how much their State Pension could increase and details of the voluntary NI contributions they would need to pay to achieve this. It allows most people under State Pension age to view gaps in their NI record and pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps, if it will benefit them.

    Anyone with NI gaps in some of their tax years that could increase their State Pension if filled, can use the new digital service to choose which years they would like to pay to fill. They can then pay securely through the service and will receive confirmation that their payment has been received and that their NI record will be updated.

    I went onto my own account and attempted to pay for one of the years. Interestingly enough, it won't allow me to pay for it online since they expect me to work enough years that it would not make any difference at all.


  • Ayr_Rage
    Ayr_Rage Posts: 2,711 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 30 April 2024 at 4:07PM
    I retired at 57 (8 years ago) and am 6.58 years short but as I have stopped paying NI I am unable to use the newly launched service to buy years.

    I have already ascertained that the years are available to buy and will boost my pension but very disappointed that I'll have to do it on the phone.
  • Audaxer
    Audaxer Posts: 3,547 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Can't see any change on mine, definitely no split between pre and post 2006. But every year is a full year and I have the full amount with " you can't improve your forecast," so maybe that's why. When 23/24 is updated that won't be a full year so maybe something will change then. Or maybe the can't improve your forecast will just override that. Or maybe there is more info there and I am just too rubbish to find it. Who knows, exciting times!!
    As you can't improve your forecast, when your 23/24 is updated as not a full year, I think if the system is to work effectively it should also make it clear that filling that gap will not increase your SP.
  • Audaxer
    Audaxer Posts: 3,547 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ayr_Rage said:
    I retired at 57 (8 years ago) and am 6.58 years short but as I have stopped paying NI I am unable to use the newly launched service to buy years.

    I have already ascertained that the years are available to buy and will boost my pension but very disappointed that I'll have to do it on the phone.
    I'm surprised it doesn't allow you to do it through the new service. However if you are paying all the 6.58 years at the same time in a large lump sum, it may be as well to do it over the phone.
  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 7,742 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper

    I went onto my own account and attempted to pay for one of the years. Interestingly enough, it won't allow me to pay for it online since they expect me to work enough years that it would not make any difference at all.


    Seems perfectly logical. Better that the system has as few bugs (holes) as possible. Rather than being rushed out. 
  • shebb
    shebb Posts: 1 Newbie
    First Post
    Looks good but odd that you can’t use if you have already stopped paying NI. What’s the logic of that? 
  • Managed to jump through all the hoops to get the options to pay the years I wanted to pay and it all falls over at the final hurdle - online banking website or mobile app fail at various stage saying invalid payment details.   I cannot do the bank transfer as the page fails to provide the required reference number .. the magic 18 digit number that links your payments to your NI record and the years.   Honestly, I should simply have phoned up like in previous years.  What a waste of time and money!
  • I've successfully managed to top up one year that cost me £77 and has given me more than £12 per week benefit. I eventually managed to negotiate the HMRC website having had to fib about when I intend to stop paying NIC. I chose the option that says I will stop paying NIC before my state pension age and declared it to be next year. With that done I was offered 3 options, of which the first was what I wanted. I was then able to authorise the payment by being redirected to my bank account and all went remarkably smoothly! So huge well done MSE and a massive thank you!
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