Pension entitlement

[chippie]

I paid my NI shortfall yesterday, be careful as after the 05-04-2025 the number of years that you can back date reduces, when you login via to the goverment website using your gate way you can check individual years that are missing and when the closing date for topping up.

 

[The Wino]

So you were in serps and got years added, I was contacted out of serps and got years deducted. Do you get the feeling they made all this up in 2016?

Presumably if you contracted out of serps you paid less it would therefore make sense you had some deductions. Likewise if you paid more in you would expect to have something added. Why doesn't that make sense?

 

[JockandRita]

Also check that all additional year payments will make a sensible difference to what she'll get as for many topping up the 5th year often only adds pence so you never recover the outlay.

tonka. That's exactly what we found Steve, so Rita and I are fractionally short on the full pension, as the gain for several hundred of pounds outlay each, was only going to be a few pence per week, with no hope of ever breaking even.

AlunandFelicie. Good luck getting what you are entitled to in the way of credits to make up the lost years of NI stamps.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Complicated, not half

I’ve always worked and paid NI one way or another.

Both PAYE and being self employed.

I checked my forecast some time ago and I was missing full years

A year or two later I’m not missing as many full years.
How did that happen

Think they make it up as they go along

 

[Carpmart]

I was amazed at what constituted a qualifying year for NI contributions. Working as a KP in a hotel kitchen whilst at college gave me two qualifying years.

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[tonka]

Minxy JockandRita Cheers both..

I've done my maths.. We plan to make up a year next week, which by coincidence will be covered by my own first full months pension payment so not like we will miss that one... We then have 2 more years to catch up with 4 more payments if we decide to do it..

 

[Chris]

I checked mine a year or so ago and I had something like 35 qualifying years when I definitely hadn’t worked all those years so I don’t know how they work it out.

I was a bit worried beforehand because I was self employed for most of my working life and my NI contributions were tiny compared to an employed person.

I tend to agree with the notion that they make it up as they go along.

 

[carolyn]

When I retired I had to buy 2 years to bring my years up to 35 years according to the accountants. GPs on the old NHS schemes were opted out. I checked when Martin Lewis did his campaign and I had to buy another 3. The medical student years that used to count no longer counted looking at the years. As far as I can see the clinical years used to be credited but no longer, who knows. I paid up in February ready for my first payment in May. I have to live 3 or 4 years to get my money back, here’s hoping! There was another year I could have paid but I’d have had to live to about 110 haha.

The OP doesn’t have long to sort out any credits going back longer than 6 years unfortunately even if she is entitled to them. Hopefully Citizens advice can help. Worth contacting them tomorrow for an appointment. Sometimes if an application is in things can be backdated. It’s a minefield though.

 

[Minxy]

Minxy JockandRita Cheers both..

I've done my maths.. We plan to make up a year next week, which by coincidence will be covered by my own first full months pension payment so not like we will miss that one... We then have 2 more years to catch up with 4 more payments if we decide to do it..

I'm in a bit of a quandary myself as I currently get credits for doing stuff etc for my mum so as long as she's around the amount of top-up I have to pay reduces weekly but after 5/4/25 I can't top up the earlier years however I still have enough future years to come which would be sufficient albeit at a higher cost.

As we've had a load of expenses this month and more to come, even though I could afford to I probably won't bother topping up at present as the difference in cost between the old years that are dropping of and the future years would likely be mostly covered by interest on the money whilst it sits in a savings etc account.

Also if DuxDeluxe gets his wish I won't live to draw my pension anyway!

 

[Carpmart]

I’m hoping that the confirmation I received from the pensions ‘people’ showing >35yrs is accurate! You go to the govt department who runs this aspect and you hope the information they provide is correct! This thread makes me question that! Crazy when you can’t trust a govt dept to provide accurate information!

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[Boldly]

If the disability is due to an rta then surely the insurance payout should cover any shortfall. In my opinion the insurance should also be paying any pip type payment, not the tax payers!

 

[AlunandFelicie]

I’m hoping that the confirmation I received from the pensions ‘people’ showing >35yrs is accurate! You go to the govt department who runs this aspect and you hope the information they provide is correct! This thread makes me question that! Crazy when you can’t trust a govt dept to provide accurate information!

You’d be crazy to trust a government department

 

[AlunandFelicie]

If the disability is due to an rta then surely the insurance payout should cover any shortfall. In my opinion the insurance should also be paying any pip type payment, not the tax payers!

Bit harsh that after nineteen broken bones a brain injury and thirteen major operations
All resulting in the termination of a career as one of the leading barristers in her field in Britain

 

[SpeedyDux]

So you were in serps and got years added, I was contacted out of serps and got years deducted. Do you get the feeling they made all this up in 2016?

I'm in that situation. I suffered a deduction for the years when my company pension scheme was contracted out of SERPS. There was no set-off for the surplus years of full NICs during which I wasn't contracted-out, even though I had about 43 full years and needed only 35. That was unfair.

I understand that from 2016 onwards when the rules changed, it is possible to either accrue full NICs years from employment etc that can be set off against the earlier contracted-out years, or you can buy missing post-2016 years for the same effect. Neither option helps people in my circumstances so I have to suck it up.

 

[steve69]

I don't wish to frighten anyone, but here's what happened to me trying to get my "5 year shortfall":
(Summarised as best I can).

July 6th 2022, I phoned HM department of work & pensions - DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension. I was told I would receive paperwork in the post within 2 weeks to pursue the matter.

July 25th 2022. No paperwork had arrived by this date so again, I phoned DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension. I was told (again)that I would receive paperwork in the post within 2 weeks to pursue the matter.

August23rd. 2022. No paperwork had arrived by this date so again. I phoned DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension.
On this occasion I was told that HM pensions don't deal with this matter and I had to phone HM Revenue(Tax) office for further information.

August24th 2022. I phoned HMRC, (0300 200 3500) whereupon a nice young man was very helpful and gave me all the information I needed to pay for the gap years required – 5 years in all - to enhance my state pension.

August25th 2022. I completed the transaction that pays for the gap years required by HMRC in order to enhance my pension.

September22nd 2022. I received a letter from HM pensions office stating my increase could only be for 2 gap-years (I was told to pay for 5 years – which I did). No explanation for the discrepancy was offered.

October4th 2022.
I phoned H.M Pension office(0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension, the person there could not explain the discrepancy, but they would look into it.

November10th 2022 No correspondence was received by this date so I phoned the pensions Ombudsman and was put through to the pensions office again. The person I spoke to there said they would email the relevant department and tell them to write to me with and explanation for this discrepancy.

November20th 2022 I received a phone call from HM pension office (Yes – It was a Sunday!!) whereby a man by the name of “Yasser” explained that I was only entitled to 2 gap years – with no clear explanation why – and that I should write to HMRC to claim back the 3 years overpayment for the gap years, which I am now doing.

November22nd 2022. I phoned the pensions Ombudsman again, only to be told that I had to wait another week or so as the pension office was writing to me with an explanation.

December14th 2022 and still no letter of explanation.

In desperation I contacted my MP and gave him the above details. he sorted it out within 2 weeks, bless him, and I finally got my 3 years overpayment back (around £2,700).

Take it from me, when it comes to the pension department, the left hand really does not know what the right hand is doing.

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[Boldly]

Bit harsh that after nineteen broken bones a brain injury and thirteen major operations
All resulting in the termination of a career as one of the leading barristers in her field in Britain

Wasn't intended as a dig at you.
Rather just pointing out that the system is not fit for purpose and needs major attention. I suspect the current tinkering will leave individuals worse off but the country no better off.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Also if @DuxDeluxe gets his wish I won't live to draw my pension anyway!

……so I am safe from being crispy fried then?

 

[Brains]

A lot of it will stop after the 26th March announcement it’s rumoured

What is the particular rumour suggesting?

(You don't need to read the FT to know the Chancellor is in very deep do-do and needs to make some big money fast,
and as always, benefits and pensions are a soft target.)

 

[gus-lopez]

I was a bit worried beforehand because I was self employed for most of my working life and my NI contributions were tiny compared to an employed person.

Yes if you pay the 3 quid a week class 2 contributions ,or whatever it is now, that entitles you to a full year.You only pay class 4 when earnings are in excess of 12,750 .& yes it is far lower than an employed persons payments.

I don't wish to frighten anyone, but here's what happened to me trying to get my "5 year shortfall":
(Summarised as best I can).

July 6th 2022, I phoned HM department of work & pensions - DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension. I was told I would receive paperwork in the post within 2 weeks to pursue the matter.

July 25th 2022. No paperwork had arrived by this date so again, I phoned DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension. I was told (again)that I would receive paperwork in the post within 2 weeks to pursue the matter.

August23rd. 2022. No paperwork had arrived by this date so again. I phoned DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension.
On this occasion I was told that HM pensions don't deal with this matter and I had to phone HM Revenue(Tax) office for further information.

August24th 2022. I phoned HMRC, (0300 200 3500) whereupon a nice young man was very helpful and gave me all the information I needed to pay for the gap years required – 5 years in all - to enhance my state pension.

August25th 2022. I completed the transaction that pays for the gap years required by HMRC in order to enhance my pension.

September22nd 2022. I received a letter from HM pensions office stating my increase could only be for 2 gap-years (I was told to pay for 5 years – which I did). No explanation for the discrepancy was offered.

October4th 2022.
I phoned H.M Pension office(0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension, the person there could not explain the discrepancy, but they would look into it.

November10th 2022 No correspondence was received by this date so I phoned the pensions Ombudsman and was put through to the pensions office again. The person I spoke to there said they would email the relevant department and tell them to write to me with and explanation for this discrepancy.

November20th 2022 I received a phone call from HM pension office (Yes – It was a Sunday!!) whereby a man by the name of “Yasser” explained that I was only entitled to 2 gap years – with no clear explanation why – and that I should write to HMRC to claim back the 3 years overpayment for the gap years, which I am now doing.

November22nd 2022. I phoned the pensions Ombudsman again, only to be told that I had to wait another week or so as the pension office was writing to me with an explanation.

December14th 2022 and still no letter of explanation.

In desperation I contacted my MP and gave him the above details. he sorted it out within 2 weeks, bless him, and I finally got my 3 years overpayment back (around £2,700).

Take it from me, when it comes to the pension department, the left hand really does not know what the right hand is doing.

Still gives me nightmares from dealing with them back in 2018.
Then also in september 2023 & every month after until april 2024 Letter of explanation promised every time. First one , dated october 2023 turned up in april 2024. Then they arrived weekly after that.
Shambolic

 

[Hawkstone]

You’d be crazy to trust a government department

I don’t if this is helpful but I rang the pensions about my brother in law who will reach pension age this year. Slightly different as he has never worked due to disability from birth so has never laid NI. They were no help at all.
He currently receives the higher rate PIP and Employment Support Allowance. As his ESA is disability related it does not actually stop but is reduced at retirement age. He can then apparently apply for Pension Credits which will top up his weekly benefit entitlement.
I have gone round in circles on the pension website and still can’t work out what he will receive. Age Uk may be a good point of contact.

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[rolosroller]

You can usually only pay for gaps in your National Insurance record from the past 6 years.

The deadline for paying gaps between April 2006 and April 2018 has been extended to 5 April 2025.

 

[steve69]

The deadline for paying gaps between April 2006 and April 2018 has been extended to 5 April 2025.

So any gaps prior to 2006 that result in a shortfall can't be included.......In other words - tough.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

It was 30 years but they changed it a while ago it is now 35 years..
Lucky for me i had 35 years in when i finished work, had my first payment this week..

Congratulations I got my first payment 12 months ago, why do you look so much older than me?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

It was 30 years but they changed it a while ago it is now 35 years..
Lucky for me i had 35 years in when i finished work, had my first payment this week..

Are you that young?

 

[tonka]

Are you that young?

YES I AM...
You know that after seeing my youthful figure at the fun meets.

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[carolyn]

I always thought you were younger than me Steve but now I know you’re way older than me. I don’t get my pension until May. I feel great!

 

[DuxDeluxe]

YES I AM...
You know that after seeing my youthful figure at the fun meets.

Note to self I must drink less at meets……….

 

[rolosroller]

So any gaps prior to 2006 that result in a shortfall can't be included.......In other words - tough.

Not my fault I don't work for the tax office

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

If the disability is due to an rta then surely the insurance payout should cover any shortfall. In my opinion the insurance should also be paying any pip type payment, not the tax payers!

If PIP is awarded due to someone else’s fault the Compensation Recovery Unit will claim all DWP costs back until either a compensation settlement is reached/settled or otherwise five years.
Edit to say that these costs cannot be taken from any compensation to the injured person.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I don't wish to frighten anyone, but here's what happened to me trying to get my "5 year shortfall":
(Summarised as best I can).

July 6th 2022, I phoned HM department of work & pensions - DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension. I was told I would receive paperwork in the post within 2 weeks to pursue the matter.

July 25th 2022. No paperwork had arrived by this date so again, I phoned DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension. I was told (again)that I would receive paperwork in the post within 2 weeks to pursue the matter.

August23rd. 2022. No paperwork had arrived by this date so again. I phoned DWP (0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension.
On this occasion I was told that HM pensions don't deal with this matter and I had to phone HM Revenue(Tax) office for further information.

August24th 2022. I phoned HMRC, (0300 200 3500) whereupon a nice young man was very helpful and gave me all the information I needed to pay for the gap years required – 5 years in all - to enhance my state pension.

August25th 2022. I completed the transaction that pays for the gap years required by HMRC in order to enhance my pension.

September22nd 2022. I received a letter from HM pensions office stating my increase could only be for 2 gap-years (I was told to pay for 5 years – which I did). No explanation for the discrepancy was offered.

October4th 2022.
I phoned H.M Pension office(0800 7310469) with regards to gap-year payments for my state pension, the person there could not explain the discrepancy, but they would look into it.

November10th 2022 No correspondence was received by this date so I phoned the pensions Ombudsman and was put through to the pensions office again. The person I spoke to there said they would email the relevant department and tell them to write to me with and explanation for this discrepancy.

November20th 2022 I received a phone call from HM pension office (Yes – It was a Sunday!!) whereby a man by the name of “Yasser” explained that I was only entitled to 2 gap years – with no clear explanation why – and that I should write to HMRC to claim back the 3 years overpayment for the gap years, which I am now doing.

November22nd 2022. I phoned the pensions Ombudsman again, only to be told that I had to wait another week or so as the pension office was writing to me with an explanation.

December14th 2022 and still no letter of explanation.

In desperation I contacted my MP and gave him the above details. he sorted it out within 2 weeks, bless him, and I finally got my 3 years overpayment back (around £2,700).

Take it from me, when it comes to the pension department, the left hand really does not give a Fiddlesticks what the right hand is doing.

I spotted the small error in your final summary and took the liberty of correcting it for you. You are right up to a point,but their are absolutely chapter and verse when it comes to relieving you of a few bob, funny that heh.

Mike.

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