Still not heard back from Pensions...

Girlsmudda

Hi, I'm 69, a WASPI, and receive the new style state pension. I was made redundant at 59 but due to aging parents who needed more help at that time I didn't sign on or try to get another job. I had 40 years NI contributions, and was contracted out for some of that time, so don't receive the full amount. On Martin's advice, I phoned in March to see if I should pay additional contributions from 59-66, or part of that time, before the cut-off on 5th April. I was promised a letter in the post, and that there might be some delay. I've still not heard yet. Is anyone in a similar situation? Thank you.

p00hsticks

I'm not in the same situation but m aware that there is a currently massive backlog dealing with these requests...

If you post up how much pension you are currently getting, what gaps you have in your NI record and (if shown) and how much you would need to pay them people on here should be able to advice on the best course of action. 

QrizB

You're 69 so you were born in 1956, made redundant in 2015 and reached state pension age in 2022?

You have 40 full NI years, all of them prior to 2016?

Marcon

Girlsmudda said:

Hi, I'm 69, a WASPI, and receive the new style state pension. I was made redundant at 59 but due to aging parents who needed more help at that time I didn't sign on or try to get another job. I had 40 years NI contributions, and was contracted out for some of that time, so don't receive the full amount. On Martin's advice, I phoned in March to see if I should pay additional contributions from 59-66, or part of that time, before the cut-off on 5th April. I was promised a letter in the post, and that there might be some delay. I've still not heard yet. Is anyone in a similar situation? Thank you.

Any number of people are in a similar situation, with no 'end date' in sight. I appreciate that's no consolation in terms of sorting out your own position but hopefully it gives you reassurance that you are at least 'in the pipeline'.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Girlsmudda said:

Hi, I'm 69, a WASPI, and receive the new style state pension. I was made redundant at 59 but due to aging parents who needed more help at that time I didn't sign on or try to get another job. I had 40 years NI contributions, and was contracted out for some of that time, so don't receive the full amount. On Martin's advice, I phoned in March to see if I should pay additional contributions from 59-66, or part of that time, before the cut-off on 5th April. I was promised a letter in the post, and that there might be some delay. I've still not heard yet. Is anyone in a similar situation? Thank you.

As your 40 years are almost certainly all pre 2016 then post 2016 years will add value, upto £6.57/week.  Capped at £230.25/week.

If you post your current (2025-26) award value (including the pence) it should be straightforward to work out how many years are worth buying.

The cap is key as it could be that say buying five years takes you to £230.00/week and a sixth would only add the final 25p/week.

dreaming

Girlsmudda said:

Hi, I'm 69, a WASPI, and receive the new style state pension. I was made redundant at 59 but due to aging parents who needed more help at that time I didn't sign on or try to get another job. I had 40 years NI contributions, and was contracted out for some of that time, so don't receive the full amount. On Martin's advice, I phoned in March to see if I should pay additional contributions from 59-66, or part of that time, before the cut-off on 5th April. I was promised a letter in the post, and that there might be some delay. I've still not heard yet. Is anyone in a similar situation? Thank you.

Hi @Girlsmudda. I am in an almost identical situation. I am 69 (70 in August) and took early retirement after redundancy when I was 58 (in 2013) and was contracted out for part of my working life so don't receive the full state pension. As I have a good company pension I didn't really think/know about continuing NO contributions. I couldn't get through on the phone in March but requested a callback before the cut-off date. Thanks to the knowledgeable people on this forum it seems that there is little/no benefit to me in paying anything other than the years 2016 (when new pension rules began?) to 2021, when I started receiving the state pension. So I have that cash set aside but obviously need to wait until I get confirmation of the difference each year might make. If it works out as suggested by other posters I could increase my weekly pension by £31.60 (annually £1643.20) for an outlay of just over £4k. so only have to live about two and a half years to recoup the cash . I have been told it can take a very long time to get the information (as it has to be calculated manually I believe) and for the new amount to be actioned after you make payment, but that it will be backdated. I hope you get some news soon and that it is positive for you.