A bit confused about my national insurance.

Xenon123

I thought I would put this out there, as I'm a tad confused about details on my govt gateway account re state pension and national insurance.  
I retired in Dec 23.  When I go to my account on the govt. gateway, my State pension (due in 2032) is indicating I will receive the full amount possible, ie. £221.20 per week.  All good so far.
However, when I go to my National Insurance record, it is showing that I had 2 years where I had not made full contributions.  The first 23/24 where it indicates I was short by £314.20, the other is historic dating back to 93/94.
Now, I have made NI payments for 43 years from 1981 to 2024 (with just the 2 years above showing short, all the rest are full years).  Should that not be enough to ensure there is no reduction in my state pension?  The State pension forecast I have been provided indicates I will get the maximum amount.  Would I need to make this shortfall payment for 23/24?

Sarahspangles

You’ve cut off the bit below the green box. If that says

£221.20 is the most you can get
You cannot improve your forecast any more.

Then you don’t need further years. But people can require more than 43 years, if it says you need to continue to contribute then those part years are relevant.

molerat

As above, the big green box is not the important bit, the text and numbers below are the bits you need to take notice of.

Xenon123

thats the full image.  What does that mean for me?

p00hsticks

Xenon123 said:

thats the full image.  What does that mean for me?

That you don't need to do anything else - you have already reached the maximum you can get 

Xenon123

Great, so just ignore those shortfall years?

MallyGirl

Xenon123 said:

Great, so just ignore those shortfall years?

yes - they won't add anything

Xenon123

thank you very much

gillyzulu

For the year 2023/24 my weekly wages fell between the lower earnings threshold  123 pounds and the the primary threshold 242, with 2 exceptions one week below and 1 week above. I have not received NI credits, but told to pay just over 800 pounds to have the year added for my state pension. Is this right?

ctrainor

Hi all, I have a similar issue I was in continuous employment from Sept 76 until Dec 22 i.e. retired early at 62.
My NI record confirms I have full years and even if I ignore my apprenticeship that is at least 40 years contributions.
I'm confused I thought you had to have only 35 years contributions to get the full pension. Am I wrong?
Obviously no NI since I left work Dec 22 which shows on my NI records.
Thoughts would be appreciated

Sarahspangles

ctrainor said:

Hi all, I have a similar issue I was in continuous employment from Sept 76 until Dec 22 i.e. retired early at 62.
My NI record confirms I have full years and even if I ignore my apprenticeship that is at least 40 years contributions.
I'm confused I thought you had to have only 35 years contributions to get the full pension. Am I wrong?
Obviously no NI since I left work Dec 22 which shows on my NI records.
Thoughts would be appreciated

You’ve cut off the key bit. Does it say 

You cannot improve your forecast any more.

If it says you still need to pay a certain number of years then you need to do that if you want the additional pension.

35 years is for people who joined the workforce after 2016. The rest of us can need anything between 29 and 50 years to get the full New State Pension.