Help needed with my state pension forecast / record please

Evaboo100

Hi

I am clueless on my state pension stuff 😔

Can someone help please?

I'm 58, and my N.I. contributions began in 1982.

My page says I can't improve my forecast anymore, but my N.I record says I can top up a gap from 2009-2010 at a cost of £63.40.

(I was newly self employed here and must have messed up with voluntary contributions)

I clicked on the button 'check if you can pay for any gaps online' and the next page said I couldn't, as my record has not been updated.

I have requested the callback option to discuss.

I also have a gap 1989-1990 which is too old to be topped up, but if it will matter to my pension, I will question this as I was a housewife in receipt of child benefit in that period.

Also in 1983-1985 approx, I was in a contracted out pension scheme. I'm clueless on what that means too 😕

Am I worrying too much, and should I pay the £63.40 top up to secure the maximum state pension, though it says I can't improve things?

I've got screenshots if they should help.

Thank you.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

If you have already accrued £221.20/week why do you want to buy any more years?

Sarahspangles

If you see the following:

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

Then anything you pay would be a gratefully received but voluntary donation to the Government.

Evaboo100

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

If you have already accrued £221.20/week why do you want to buy any more years?

It states the forecast is 'not a guarantee', so I wondered if by not covering the latest gap, it could bite me on the bum at claiming point (that's if government decisions change in the future and there are more reforms)

QrizB

You'll see the big green box. From what you've said here, this says £221.20.

Underneath the green box, there might be two green bars. If there are two green bars, the top one says what you've accrued so far and the second bar says how many more years you need before getting to £221.20.

If there are NO green bars, you've already accrued £221.29 and there's absolutely no point buying any past years - unless you feel sorry for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and want to bung them a few quid.