O/T state pension

So I'm looking through my NI record and for some years I have credits forwhen I have my children but others it's just put down my paid employment even though the kids are under 12.. Any one any idea why?

 

Is there a gap in your contributions Helen?

Either way any questions best to ring the helpline number

 

No I've still been credited with the full year Pleasantly surprised actually as I didnt realise I got credits for staying on for my A levels.

 

Yeah, usually get NI credits up to 18 if you do A levels

 

Thinking of retirement Helen , no finer way to while away the day. Finished work April this year and have to say it’s exceeded my expectations.

 

Having read this thread i’ve looked at my record, which says I have 20 complete years, 30 years left to contribute and 2 incomplete years I can’t contribute to top up as it’s too late.

The first one is the tax year 1998/99.

I turned 15 on 4 April 98, 16 in 99. How could they not have figured I was in full time compulsory education? What NI was I meant to pay when at school?

The other one was 2001/02, when I was in full time education doing A levels (and the start of uni), though paid some NI via my part time jobs.

Seems very unfair to suggest I have gaps, but I’ve no idea who to contact to enquire.

 

You only need 40 years, so you should be fine. You won't retire till at least 67.

 

How do you look at them as ive always been confused with my years being self employed?

 

Just getting a few things in order. Can take my final salary pension (for what its worth) from 55 so not much longer!!

 

Its 35. I've another 3 to pay which is less than I thought I had according to my forecast.

 

If you create an online account with Gov.uk ( you may already have one if self employed) you can look at your NI record and it gives you a pension forecast.

 

When I logged into the government portal it said I'd got:

29 years of full contributions
12 years to contribute before 5 April 2031
10 years when you did not contribute enough

 

It should tell you how many more years you need to contribute for as well.

 

NI office Telephone number: 0300 200 3500

Give them a call when you get chance

 

I think they stopped NI payments for 16 year olds when it became more or less compulsory to stay on until 18, not sure what year that was?

 

Ok thanks

 

Thought same mate. But looking at the guidelines. It says 35yrs contribution. To get full state pension, ???

 

bloody hell Helen! Another dream smashed on the BBS. I thought you were only 25!

 

In flattered!!

 

Just to mention that (assuming its not been scrapped) you receive NI credits for any years that you have been in receipt of Child Benefit, regardless of whether you worked or not. I think you may need to be the named payee for this.
e.g. we have 3 grown up kids, with the eldest being 6 years older than the youngest. My wife has 24 (18 + 6) years of NI credits on her record in respect of their childhood years, even though she worked part-time during that period and was below the NI payment threshold.