To remind you to check your pension contributions before April 2025.

[AlisonWhatIsTheMatter]

I’ve checked mine and even though I was advised to contract out of SERPS in the late 80s, (currently resting in Phoenix Life) I’m not missing any years of contributions ( I think) my forecast on GOV.UK states I cannot improve my forecast anymore.

I was reminded to check again last night after watching Martin Lewis.

Just a reminder to check your contributions before April 2025 otherwise you might not get another chance to ‘plug in’ any gaps.

I’ve attached my GOV.UK forecast so you can compare what yours states.

If only retirement age was still at 60! I’d have 5 years to go. 😩

I'm 66 retire this year, I've transferred some of mine because I had too many to my husband , he did the school runs etc. Does it work the other way around? if you have a hubby could they transfer some of theirs if they have more than they need? worth a look I'm sure

I have one year where I have a gap, but it says I only need to work another 7 years in the next 24 years to get the full amount, so do I need to plug that gap?

I don't see how it could be no, because surely you'll achieve that?

Remember you should get credit for children / childcare years if you claimed child benefit. Ditto working /paying in another European country.

Mine is similar 2 years and 19 years to pay them.

No

If you still have many years to go and think you will work them then don't add to it as it wouldn't benefit you.

I just check mine
Says I need 1 more year, at limit in 2026......but I can't claim it until 2046, so you know, I could have a few years off but couldn't actually afford to not work🤦‍♀️
Worked since I was 16 either part or full time.

So I get if you getting benefits, child benefits etc you get credits

if you are working part time every week what would that impact your contributions? Is there a minimum amount?

If your earnings are over £242 a week you will pay NI

Are you sure about that? I've never heard of transferring NI credits to a spouse. I know you can transfer some of your tax free allowance if you are not using it but not NI credits. How did you do it?

Yes definitely it made so much difference he did a lot of the child care later on and I’ve worked all my life so i had more than I needed and I’ve transferred about 6 years i think. It’s kicked in now there’s a form “You can transfer National Insurance (NI) credits to your partner or carer if you're working and receiving Child Benefit.” If you have credits, you can transfer them to your partner using form CF411A. Just google it there’s a link to gov.uk.

Thanks for the reminder! My lovely financial advisor recently told me to do this. (I'm 65) He said if I live more than maybe two years beyond the start of my pension, it was 'free money'. And who wouldn't want that? MUST get it done...

@LumpyandBumps For NI you need to hit the Lower Earnings limit for 52 weeks. It’s currently £123 per week.This is reviewed each April.

Only up to age 12

Yes, it is correct that you can do this.

I haven't read through to see if anyone else has answered this but I'm a few years older and just checked my record. I have some gaps too (when I was a student) - I clicked through to see the total and how/if I could pay it and it said I couldn't so I'm guessing it will all work out in the end. If you click the button that says 'view payable gaps' and go from there it will tell you your options for paying (if there are any).

I should have shared this link in my OP. It explains clearly what you should be checking if you’re aged between 40-73 and if you’re aged 40 and below there is also advice on whether it’s worth plugging any gaps.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/

On the Martin Lewis site, he do say beware if you are single and pension is your only income if you don't have much savings, if you have a low pension you can claim pension credit and all the benefits that come with it, so a single person on a full pension get no help but if just under you do, is that correct.

I haven't read the whole thread sorry (not very well with asthma), how do I check for missing years?

TIA 😊

You need to register for a government gateway account. https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services

Thanks

There are only 9 weeks to go. Don’t dawdle.

My gaps were before 2006 so couldn't top up. Anyone know why that date is the cut off?

It is usually only 6 years you can go back and pay. It was extended to allow people to pay gaps in their record when the new state pension came in. As of this April will go back to the usual of only being able to pay back the most recent 6 years.