Not long left and no idea what to do!

londongurl64

Hello Everyone,

I’ve tried to read as much as I can on the subject of topping up but am still none the wiser.  Will the help line give advice as to whether it’s worth doing so or not for my particular circumstances?  I think there are so many knowledgable people on here who could probably advise, but not keen to post detail here (long story.) 

Please could someone recommend a way of getting specific advice that will be unbiased and tailored to my particular needs?  I don’t really want to pay for a financial advisor, and they all seem to be affiliated with brands (even when they purport to be independent.)

Many thanks in advance of any advice.

FrugaiMacDugal

Have you checked to see what your forecast is?

Ayr_Rage

Ask a knowledgeable friend.

Post on here, redacting any personal information, that'll get you the fastest answers and advice.

londongurl64

FrugaiMacDugal said:

Have you checked to see what your forecast is?

Thanks for your reply.  Yes, and have missing years so need to pay in (or not?).  

FrugaiMacDugal

So can you tell us the forecast and how many missing years?

londongurl64

Ayr_Rage said:

Ask a knowledgeable friend.

Post on here, redacting any personal information, that'll get you the fastest answers and advice.

My friends aren’t very knowledgeable 😂. 

londongurl64

FrugaiMacDugal said:

So can you tell us the forecast and how many missing years?

Well that’s the trouble.  I have over the required number but it’s still saying missing years.  I only had today to deal with this and thankfully someone who might be able to help has just promised me a call back.  Thanks everyone for trying to help but realise without extra info I’m making it impossible.  Soz. 

molerat

The helpline will simply give you options, they will not offer "advice" but the options you will get here will likely be more understandable.  You could pay an IFA but good luck with finding one that clearly understands topping up the state pension. All we ask is for a few anonymous details, nothing that can be traced to you personally.

Current weekly £££.pp amount up to April 2024.
Number of full NI years 15-16 and earlier
Number of full NI years 16-17 and later
Tax year you reach state retirement
Any COPE amount.  If you have "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" on your forecast then click
here https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension/account/cope whilst logged into your tax account
Years which show not full and prices

molerat

londongurl64 said:

FrugaiMacDugal said:

So can you tell us the forecast and how many missing years?

Well that’s the trouble.  I have over the required number but it’s still saying missing years.  I only had today to deal with this and thankfully someone who might be able to help has just promised me a call back.  Thanks everyone for trying to help but realise without extra info I’m making it impossible.  Soz. 

There is no "required number". That is only relevant to those born this century, anyone else needs as many as it takes, anecdotally between 28 and 48, and if you have in excess of 35 years and not at the full amount then you were in a contracted out pension scheme which gave you a lower starting amount in 2016.  The details we ask for are anonymous and you will get the answer you need in under 10 minutes.

londongurl64

molerat said:

The helpline will simply give you options, they will not offer "advice" but the options you will get here will likely be more understandable.  You could pay an IFA but good luck with finding one that clearly understands topping up the state pension. All we ask is for a few anonymous details, nothing that can be traced to you personally.

Current weekly £££.pp amount up to April 2024.
Number of full NI years 15-16 and earlier
Number of full NI years 16-17 and later
Tax year you reach state retirement
Any COPE amount.  If you have "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" on your forecast then click
here https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension/account/cope whilst logged into your tax account
Years which show not full and prices

Thank you.  Let me see if I can get anywhere and will come back with this if not.