NI Top Up Contributions: Computer Says "NO" (not needed), but mysterious reason why!

CCxCP01

I’m an Irish national (Rep. of Ireland), and have lived in the UK since 1987, when I came here to study, before starting working here (and contributing Full Years to NI in 1989-1990 and every year subsequently until 2020-2021).

When I was lucky enough to be able to retire, just before my 61st birthday in 2022, I checked my NI Contributions and my prospective State Pension on the .GOV website. The website at that time told me that I would be eligible for the Full State Pension when I become eligible to receive this, in 2028.

Earlier this year, Martin promoted checking to see if any additional contributions might be needed for my State Pension. I followed his lead, and discovered that, at that point, apparently I was 3 years short on NI Contributions, and would need to pay approximately £2400 to buy back the years from 2021 to 2023. So I registered for a callback to arrange further contributions.

I received the initial callback this morning (July 30th, 2025), and in the discussion, I was told that I DO have the full 35-years’ worth of NI Contributions, and I AM eligible for the Full State Pension when it becomes due. However, I pointed out that according to my NI Record page on their site, I only have 32 years contributions, according to the NI Record I printed off in March 2025 (1989-1990 to 2020-2021 = 32 years). The Pension Team caller told me he could see that I had Juvenile Contributions for some years (from 1977 - 1979, I think). I explained that, as I was not living in the UK at that stage, I couldn’t have made these contributions. He was insistent that I WAS fully-covered for NI contributions and that I DID NOT need to make any top-up payments. I believe that I DO need to make payments to cover 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024, as detailed in the NI Record, as I couldn't have made the Juvenile contributions he reported, but he insisted that the Computer said “NO”, not needed (in fact it was saying “YES”, fully-covered!), so I had no need to worry. He then said he will send me a letter to confirm this finding, for my records, which I can refer to, should my State Pension not be the full amount when I finally do receive my State Pension.

However, I would prefer to have everything sorted sooner rather than later regarding this, and I was wondering if (a) this is a situation that anyone on here has encountered previously, and (b) if you have any guidance you think I should follow to make sure I don’t miss out.

Thank you for reviewing this post, and I hope I’ve made myself clear. I look  forward to thoughts as to what I should/should not do next. 

eskbanker

35 years doesn't apply to anyone getting close to pension age (it's only for those starting their NI journey since 2016), so ignore that and focus on what your state pension forecast actually says about your entitlement.

p00hsticks

Until 2010, everyone was creditted with NI contributions for the years they turned 16, 17 and 18. 

As Eskbanker says, rather that the number of years you have concentrate on the amount your forecast says you'll get and whether you need to contribute further to get the maximum. 

molerat

The 3 years for ages 16 to 18 were given away to anyone even if they were not living in the UK at the time, it was easier than actually figuring out who was really entitled.  Your record should show at the bottom something like " you have x years up to 19xx".  What do you mean by

I followed his lead, and discovered that, at that point, apparently I was 3 years short on NI Contributions,

35 years is of no relevance to someone with a pre 2016 history, you need as many as it takes so if your forecast shows you are already entitled to the full pension - not just the big green box at the top but in the text below that - then that is what you will get.  There is no point in counting the years and making assumptions.

QrizB

CCxCP01 said:

Earlier this year, Martin promoted checking to see if any additional contributions might be needed for my State Pension. I followed his lead, and discovered that, at that point, apparently I was 3 years short on NI Contributions, and would need to pay approximately £2400 to buy back the years from 2021 to 2023.

What exactly did you check earlier this year? Your State Pension forecast, or something else?

What exactly does your forecast say today?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

CCxCP01 said:

I’m an Irish national (Rep. of Ireland), and have lived in the UK since 1987, when I came here to study, before starting working here (and contributing Full Years to NI in 1989-1990 and every year subsequently until 2020-2021).

When I was lucky enough to be able to retire, just before my 61st birthday in 2022, I checked my NI Contributions and my prospective State Pension on the .GOV website. The website at that time told me that I would be eligible for the Full State Pension when I become eligible to receive this, in 2028.

Earlier this year, Martin promoted checking to see if any additional contributions might be needed for my State Pension. I followed his lead, and discovered that, at that point, apparently I was 3 years short on NI Contributions, and would need to pay approximately £2400 to buy back the years from 2021 to 2023. So I registered for a callback to arrange further contributions.

I received the initial callback this morning (July 30th, 2025), and in the discussion, I was told that I DO have the full 35-years’ worth of NI Contributions, and I AM eligible for the Full State Pension when it becomes due. However, I pointed out that according to my NI Record page on their site, I only have 32 years contributions, according to the NI Record I printed off in March 2025 (1989-1990 to 2020-2021 = 32 years). The Pension Team caller told me he could see that I had Juvenile Contributions for some years (from 1977 - 1979, I think). I explained that, as I was not living in the UK at that stage, I couldn’t have made these contributions. He was insistent that I WAS fully-covered for NI contributions and that I DID NOT need to make any top-up payments. I believe that I DO need to make payments to cover 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024, as detailed in the NI Record, as I couldn't have made the Juvenile contributions he reported, but he insisted that the Computer said “NO”, not needed (in fact it was saying “YES”, fully-covered!), so I had no need to worry. He then said he will send me a letter to confirm this finding, for my records, which I can refer to, should my State Pension not be the full amount when I finally do receive my State Pension.

However, I would prefer to have everything sorted sooner rather than later regarding this, and I was wondering if (a) this is a situation that anyone on here has encountered previously, and (b) if you have any guidance you think I should follow to make sure I don’t miss out.

Thank you for reviewing this post, and I hope I’ve made myself clear. I look  forward to thoughts as to what I should/should not do next. 

Why do you think 35 years is of the slightest relevance to you 🤔

Have you even read the full detail of your State Pension forecast?