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 believe contracting out won't affect it, as long as you have 35 years of contributions. I contracted out in 2002, I kept the paperwork advice in case it turns into a mis-selling issue later! My contracted-out money went into my private pension and it's quite a big chunk of the pot

@mrsm43s I've just had a look - contracting out can reduce your weekly pension payment, but it depends how long you did it for and how much you've contributed fully since then. Here's a link:
https://www.gov.uk/contracted-out?_gl=113vjy8f_gaZmFsc2U._ga_Y4LWMWY6WS*MTczODM0MzQxNy40LjEuMTczODM0MzkyMy4wLjAuMA..
Mine is forecasting the full pension, so I must have made it up. I actually assumed there may not be a state pension by the time I retire, so I contracted out to get the money in my account just in case

@mrsm43s best to check your statement - contracting out may have affected your contribution years which is exactly why it's advisable to check so that if you do need more than 35 years you have a chance to make the extra payments (if it's worth it for you)

Sorry said exactly why they extended the payment window after the pensions changed, so people would have a chance to react to changes such as needing more contribution years. (At least that is my understanding). Mainly, check your statement.

@PartyOFive I am always surprised when people lump state pension payments in with other benefits.

Please watch the Martin lewis video about this on line because it’s not worthwhile for everyone and he explains why

Haha be good if you could get through to the relevant bodies to then ask for your 18 digit number to enable you to wait another hour or 10 to get through to pay to top up your pension. Could they make it any more difficult. This country is a joke

@T1Dmama is it people who have more years to work , so could pay another few years stamps so doesn't need to pay stamps up.

You really are best checking your personal forecast. Any other info will just be generic. Your forecast will tell you how many years you have to pay NI / get credits through various benefits. You can't really make a decision without knowing that information.

As in my previous post? I was being a bit provocative I guess, I do recognise there are differences. But it was frustrating to see benefit recipients being blamed for the pensions crisis which is largely to do with the profile of our population (people living longer and therefore receiving more pension, fewer working age people to find those pensions).

My pension forecast is the same as yours, OP. I’m surprised as I have gaps from when I was at Uni. Is that the maximum we can get, do you know? I was expecting to have to pay something to plug the gaps.Thanks for posting about this. V useful.

If it says that you cannot improve your forecast then yes that is the maximum. This is adjusted for inflation each year so the actual figure will be different when you retire.

The only way to increase your state pension is to delay taking it. You can increase the amount by 1% for every 9 weeks you defer.
www.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension/what-you-get

My sister emigrated to be with her partner but it didn’t work out so she came with gaps in her contributions. She couldn’t get any job, even zero contract min wage, but had too much in savings (sold her share of the house to her partner) to claim benefits but she did sign on, to get NI contributions.

Signing on is one way to build up your NI but you have to apply for jobs and be able to tolerate being spoken to by a condescending job centre employee every two weeks!

Martin Lewis will be talking about pensions again tonight on ITV. He’s stated it’s a much watch particularly for those aged 40-73, due to the deadline coming up.

There is (allegedly), an on,one form you can now fill in requesting a call back from future pensions, if you still can’t get through to top up your NI contributions. I’m damned if I can find it, I’ve been trying to get through on the phone for months now, and low and behold they ring me back on a Saturday whilst I’m at work, when I cannot talk! They are piggin useless

I've phoned Future Pensions recently and am awaiting a call back at some point.
What I was told is that because they're registered my call that even if the deadline passes I will still be able to pay my missing years contributions and at today's rates.

It's obviously just a real nuisance that I don't know when they're likely to call back, probably when I'm at a hospital appointment with my phone switched off, but it's better than nothing.