State pension amount

molerat

Mr_Benn said:

When we checked on the Government website, Im sure it tells you if your due the 'maximum' State Pension ? I was concerned Mrs Benn wouldnt qualify as she possibly had some years missing.  However, this thread has now cast a bit of a doubt, so Im going to have to check again what it said,. 

You need to read further than the big green box at the top, that states what you could receive if you do as it says in the texts below it.  It may say do nothing or it may say contribute another x years.

DRS1

Mr_Benn said:

When we checked on the Government website, Im sure it tells you if your due the 'maximum' State Pension ? I was concerned Mrs Benn wouldnt qualify as she possibly had some years missing.  However, this thread has now cast a bit of a doubt, so Im going to have to check again what it said,. 

I don't think the OP is suggesting the forecast is wrong.  They don't even say if they checked it.

[Deleted User]

Have you ever checked to see if paying voluntary NI contributions for any missing or incomplete post 2016 years would increase your state pension?

I was also a teacher and needed to pay 47 years by April 2024 to achieve the new full state pension, minus a few pence.

I took the final part of my teacher's pension in 2016 after a phased retirement but continued with a few part-time contracts until June 2023. This employment alongside a couple of voluntary NI tops from 2016 to April 2024 enabled me to achieve the required 47 years(in my case)  and an almost full new state pension. I was 66 in July 2024.

In my opinion money and time well spent! I appreciate and am grateful for the fact that I now receive a good teacher's pension and an almost full state pension having been contracted put for many years. I am a winner from the pension changes in 2016.

jem16

[Deleted User] said:

In my opinion money and time well spent! I appreciate and am grateful for the fact that I now receive a good teacher's pension and an almost full state pension having been contracted put for many years. I am a winner from the pension changes in 2016.

I’m the same but two years less. Good to hear someone recognising that they’re a winner with the changes. The amount of complaining that’s being done from contracted out people is ridiculous. 

Silvertabby

[Deleted User] said:

Have you ever checked to see if paying voluntary NI contributions for any missing or incomplete post 2016 years would increase your state pension?

I was also a teacher and needed to pay 47 years by April 2024 to achieve the new full state pension, minus a few pence.

I took the final part of my teacher's pension in 2016 after a phased retirement but continued with a few part-time contracts until June 2023. This employment alongside a couple of voluntary NI tops from 2016 to April 2024 enabled me to achieve the required 47 years(in my case)  and an almost full new state pension. I was 66 in July 2024.

In my opinion money and time well spent! I appreciate and am grateful for the fact that I now receive a good teacher's pension and an almost full state pension having been contracted put for many years. I am a winner from the pension changes in 2016.

So refreshing to read this !  I, too, had  substantial public sector contracted out service, and enough time between 2016 and SPA to enable me to top up my NI contributions to take me to the full nSP.  48 years in my case, 44 from working and 4 from voluntary Class 3s.

Yes, you, I, and many like us are the winners under the new pension scheme.  Yet, time and time again we read on these (and other boards) complaints from people in similar situations to us who are adamant that they have been 'robbed'.

grn99

Just found this thread - yes I too was under the illusion of 35 years!!! I actually have 37 years, but 14 of those were contracted out as best I can remember.

The HMRC app shows these as full years, but I assume that hasn’t any bearing on it being a lower amount due to being c/out?

2023/24 is the only gap available to pay into.
the last time I tried to check if I had sufficient years for a full NSP, HMRC told me they couldn’t say! Well that makes two of us. Is there a way to do this, rather than randomly pour more money in and hoping for the best!?! 🤔

QrizB

grn99 said:

... Is there a way to do this, rather than randomly pour more money in and hoping for the best!?! 🤔

Are you already at state pension age?

If not, you should be able to check your state pension forecast here.

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

What does it say - not just the headline number in the green box, but underneath it?

grn99

QrizB said:

grn99 said:

... Is there a way to do this, rather than randomly pour more money in and hoping for the best!?! 🤔

Are you already at state pension age?

If not, you should be able to check your state pension forecast here.

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

What does it say - not just the headline number in the green box, but underneath it?

I’m not at state pension age - 7 years to go.

It says “Your forecast

• is not a guarantee and is based on the current law
• is based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2024
• does not include any increase due to inflation

£234.38 is the most you can get

You cannot improve your forecast any more.”

It also makes reference to being contracted out.

DRS1

There is usually  a bit more than that (eg based on contributions to 4/24 your SP will be X and if you contribute until 4/31 it will be Y) but it looks like you don't need to bother topping up 23/4

grn99

Nothing additional that I can see. Screenshot attached. But with 14 years contracted out I struggle to understand how it suggests that I’m already on max for the new state pension. Only one year after 2016 saw any conts.