State Pension Top-Up Contributions. What if the SP becomes means tested?

gvs544

Martin has previously recommended topping up missing years to the get the maximum new state pension, which I am due in a couple of years. Having previously not paid the full NIC's I require to pay a couple of voluntary contributions to take my pension to the max. My crystal ball exam questions is: if they future means test the state pension and I fall the wrong side of the boundary - will I be able to claim back my voluntary contributions?  

Rodders53

gvs544 said:

 if they future means test the state pension and I fall the wrong side of the boundary - will I be able to claim back my voluntary contributions?  

No.

But which years need buying and when exactly do you reach SP age.

If those years can still be purchased closer to SP age (maybe at a slightly higher cost) you could 'wait and see'.

Mind, is 80% of the extra £x per week per annum purchased better than £0 per week?  It increases the payback period before you get 'into profit' from the purchase, that's all.

Anyone on full NSP is going to be paying tax on some of the pension very soon.

squirrelpie

If they means test the state pension, it's likely to be a lot more than two years in the future. Can you imagine the outcry if they tried to impose it quickly?

35har1old

squirrelpie said:

If they means test the state pension, it's likely to be a lot more than two years in the future. Can you imagine the outcry if they tried to impose it quickly?

If they want to do it they will proceed as has been demonstrated by the winter fuel payment
There is no guarantee that if you have already started to receive the pension that it won't be removed if means testing takes place 
So paying for missed years has now become a gamble