State Pension/National Insurance contributions

Shizbala2112

Was a trainee driving instructor, but failed my final attempt to qualify fully. Was self employed. Checked online and have 37 years full N.I. contributions. Been refused Job Seekers Allowance as haven't paid Class 1 N.I. contributions. So, 2 questions:

1. Are there any benefits I can get as will be looking for part time work (don't qualify for Universal Credit)
2. Do I need to do anything regarding National Insurance, as I already have 37 full years paid up.

Thanks

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6655737/state-pension-national-insurance-contributions

Why not tell us how much State Pension you have accrued to date?

TadleyBaggie

Indeed, having 37 years full NI years doesn't automatically mean you have maxed out your State Pension.

Aretnap

Get a state pension forecast, which will tell you whether you need any more years NI to qualify for a full state pension.

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

Note that it will give you two numbers: the amount you'll get if you continue paying NI until your 67th birthday, and the amount that you have accrued up to now. If the numbers are different then you need to continue paying NI (or qualifying for credits some other way) to get a full state pension.

Ignore anything you read about only needing 35 years contributions. That applies only to people who have spent their entire working lives under the new system. Anyone born before 2000 is under transitional rules and might need more or fewer than 35 years depending on your own historical income and contracted out status.

Ayr_Rage

As all those 37 years cannot be allocated to the NSP, you'll have to check online as to how many years you require to get a full NSP.

It will depend on your work history and whether you were self employed or in a pension scheme where you paid contracted out NI etc

Marcon

To answer your first question - try https://www.turn2us.org.uk or https://www.entitledto.co.uk

Shizbala2112

State Pension forecast says I will get fill pension. Was hoping for a clear answer on this, but alas…

Ayr_Rage

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888151#Comment_81888151

Does the forecast say you have ALREADY paid enough or is it assuming you will contribute until you reach SPA?

You need to read the information carefully, some have been caught out.

There aren't any simple answers, everybody is different when it come to SP and benefit entitlements.

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888151#Comment_81888151

There is a clear answer if you read your forecast carefully. It'll be tailored to your own circumstances and will tell you if you need to contribute any further years of NI to get a full state pension.

molerat

Your forecast does give a clear answer if you read below the big green box. It will be something like this

Which means you are already there. Or like this

Which states you need another X years. Ignore the £s as those images are out of date but the general idea remains valid.