Voluntary NI contibutions

I have 35years paid but as I was contracted out by my employer my state pension forecast wasn't the max so I requested a statement telling which years I could pay to top up . Last year I paid two voluntary contributions years 07-08 and 08-09 , I noticed my forecast hadn't increased , I contacted the Forecast people and they said those years would make no difference I should pay years 16-17 and 17-18. Well the HMRC have got £1378 for nothing , of course they have said diddly squat about this so I rang this morning and need to write a letter requesting a refund , heres hoping.
My pension is available 2022 btw.
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  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,925
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    IF you'd come in here and asked first, any of the regulars would have told you about the 2016 cutover and the difference in pre vs post 2016 contributions.

    Good luck with getting your money back. I hope you succeed - I think that HMRC need to make the limitations much clearer to people at the time they pake the payment.
  • Paul_Herring
    Paul_Herring Posts: 7,481
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    I Last year I paid two voluntary contributions years 07-08 and 08-09 , I noticed my forecast hadn't increased , I contacted the Forecast people and they said those years would make no difference I should pay years 16-17 and 17-18. Well the HMRC have got £1378 for nothing , of course they have said diddly squat about this so I rang this morning and need to write a letter requesting a refund , heres hoping.
    My pension is available 2022 btw.

    Common problem:

    http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-5470181/Savers-wasting-money-trying-boost-incomes.html

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/11906803/State-pension-top-ups-overhaul-you-risk-paying-more-for-nothing.html

    http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-4823696/Couple-force-HMRC-refund-7k-state-pension-ups.html
    Conjugating the verb 'to be":
    -o I am humble -o You are attention seeking -o She is Nadine Dorries
  • marlot wrote: »
    IF you'd come in here and asked first, any of the regulars would have told you about the 2016 cutover and the difference in pre vs post 2016 contributions.

    Yes I thought it was ok , they sent me a letter showing how much to pay for each tax year and also the time limit before it went up , if I had had the money I would have paid four more years :(
  • Tom99
    Tom99 Posts: 5,371
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    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I don't know how they are allowed to get away with providing such misleading information.[/FONT]
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Like you, my forecast says you need to pay more NI, they give you a list of prices going back as far as 2006 in some cases with no indication whatsoever that only post 2016 years will count.[/FONT]
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hopefully you will get a refund.[/FONT]
  • Tom99 wrote: »
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I don't know how they are allowed to get away with providing such misleading information.[/FONT]
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Like you, my forecast says you need to pay more NI, they give you a list of prices going back as far as 2006 in some cases with no indication whatsoever that only post 2016 years will count.[/FONT]
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hopefully you will get a refund.[/FONT]

    Correct , I have re-read the letter and post 2016 is not mentioned.
  • drumtochty
    drumtochty Posts: 438
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    There are issues here in that NI pays for more than pensions and you cannot take them to court as they do not actually advise it will increase yourstate pension.

    Not helpful for the original poster. The only way a lot of people got money back was to take it to the financial press and their links to the DWP press people got things done and the DWP did not want bad press. Going to the ombusman also helped.

    Writing to the DWP as a punter without any heavy backup behind you will not even get a reply to your letter.
  • Paul_Herring
    Paul_Herring Posts: 7,481
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    drumtochty wrote: »
    There are issues here in that NI pays for more than pensions and you cannot take them to court as they do not actually advise it will increase yourstate pension.

    No, but they do mislead:

    http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-5470181/Savers-wasting-money-trying-boost-incomes.html
    They say they are being led to believe they have gaps in their National Insurance records and that a one-off payment will give them a higher income for life.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/11906803/State-pension-top-ups-overhaul-you-risk-paying-more-for-nothing.html
    People are getting their pensions forecasts, seeing they have a shortfall and are being led to believe they can fill it by paying voluntary contributions. When I tell them they will be wasting their money, they don’t believe me. [because the government website implies differently]

    http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-4823696/Couple-force-HMRC-refund-7k-state-pension-ups.html
    It had previously refused the Aireys on the grounds their payments would give them a qualifying year towards bereavement benefits - although the couple's intention had been to boost their state pensions, not get Government support if one of them died.
    Conjugating the verb 'to be":
    -o I am humble -o You are attention seeking -o She is Nadine Dorries
  • Paul_Herring
    Paul_Herring Posts: 7,481
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    Two days ago: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-5600541/Officials-admit-say-state-pension-work.html?utm_source=cvdb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MOL-TIM-Newsletter-120418
    • Savers spent thousands on state pension top-ups that proved worthless
    • Government is telling people to ask a professional adviser - at an hourly cost of up to £200 - if they'll benefit from making state pension top-ups

    Savers are being told by the Government to seek expensive financial advice if they want to top up their state pensions — or risk losing thousands.

    Officials have told Money Mail they are unable to tell savers if the voluntary payments they make to boost their retirement income will make a difference.

    Instead, savers are being told to ask a professional adviser, at an hourly cost of up to £200, to find out if they'll benefit.

    [...]

    The Future Pension Centre, part of the Department for Work and Pensions, specialises in helping those yet to claim their state retirement income. But it has emerged this body can only give customers an 'estimate' of the difference the top-up 'may' make to payouts.

    The DWP confirmed officials cannot confirm whether the saver will receive a benefit until after they have made the payment.

    [...]

    Mary O'Connor has spent six months chasing £3,398 she paid. In 2015 she asked the DWP how to boost her pension and says she was told she should make the payments [she shouldn't have - PH].
    Conjugating the verb 'to be":
    -o I am humble -o You are attention seeking -o She is Nadine Dorries
  • The final line from the link is encouraging

    An HMRC spokesman says: 'We are sorry some customers had to wait a little longer than we would like to get their money back. All those due repayments should have received them by now.'
  • Tom99
    Tom99 Posts: 5,371
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    The final line from the link is encouraging

    An HMRC spokesman says: 'We are sorry some customers had to wait a little longer than we would like to get their money back. All those due repayments should have received them by now.'

    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I paid £741 for 2017/18 because that is what my pension forecast and letter told me to do, only to find out, from this forum, that I am entitled to a credit for that year.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I did get the money back but only after a letter and chasing on the phone.[/FONT]
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