Pension questions

KevinB

Hi everyone, 
Firstly, thank you to all at MSE, your work is invaluable.

I watched the ITV episode on 4 March 2025 and then checked mine and my wife's State Pension forecasts. We moved to the UK in 1999 and have worked fulltime since then, so both of our forecasts show the full £221.20 prediction, but we're a little away from retirement age. My wife's forecast has the added info in 2 green bars suggesting that she needs to work more to earn the maximum, otherwise she'll get a lower amount based on 5 April 2024 , but mine does not have that detail... What is the reason for the difference?  I am 57 and she's 54

Next, if we decide to retire early, can we still pay NI as necessary to maintain our full SP payments as per the predictions?  We both have other pension plans as well.

I tried searching for these answers, but there are no clear answers

molerat

What exactly does it show for you under the big green box ?

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

If it states that then you are already there.  The most likely reason being pre 2016 you were earning more than her and accrued much more earnings related additional pension.

And yes, if you retire early with less than the full amount you will be able to fill the gap with voluntary contributions at £923 per year for 25-26 but considering that one off payment would give you £342 a year pension it is good value. You could also receive credits for receiving some benefits or looking after grandchildren.

Marcon

KevinB said:

Hi everyone, 
Firstly, thank you to all at MSE, your work is invaluable.

I watched the ITV episode on 4 March 2025 and then checked mine and my wife's State Pension forecasts. We moved to the UK in 1999 and have worked fulltime since then, so both of our forecasts show the full £221.20 prediction, but we're a little away from retirement age. My wife's forecast has the added info in 2 green bars suggesting that she needs to work more to earn the maximum, otherwise she'll get a lower amount based on 5 April 2024 , but mine does not have that detail... What is the reason for the difference?  I am 57 and she's 54

Next, if we decide to retire early, can we still pay NI as necessary to maintain our full SP payments as per the predictions?  We both have other pension plans as well.

I tried searching for these answers, but there are no clear answers

Different earnings history.

KevinB

Yes, mine says that... understood about the earnings.

Thanks

Brie

Don't forget to see if you can claim your foreign SP as well assuming there is one.