Is there a benefit to having MORE than 35 years national insurance contributions?

[minniemummy0]

I’ve just set up the online account where you can view your taxes etc.

On the National Insurance section, I have:

11 years of full contributions
32 years to contribute before 5 April 2050
9 years when you did not contribute enough

I’m still able to make contributions to 4 of the 9 years I didn’t make enough contributions. It totals around £1500.

Considering I’m in line to meet the 35 year mark for full state pension, do you think there is any point in making up those 4 years? My only thought would be it could be ‘insurance’ for if I’m out of work in the future (I have no intention of being but you never know what the future holds!). Or is it possible the goalposts could be changed and we would require more years contribution in the future? I’m guessing as 35 years is described as “full state pension” you don’t get paid more if you have 45 years or whatever??

Its a difficult one to answer as I am sure it will all change before 2050, but those of us who had already paid in more than 35 years before the new rules will get a protected payment, I had already paid in for 46 years by April 2016 and I have seen my future pension statement I will get more than the basic rate when I get my SP ( I didn't opt out) in 2021, but the 5 years of NI contributions I will pay between 2016 and 2021 will not go towards my pension, under the old rules of SSP I would have got at least £1.73 a week for every year I paid full NI and I have lost that, So I will assume it will stick at 35 years for younger people I think that's why they bought in work place pensions

Thanks for the input Oldsu. I’m still not sure what to do!

Have you been in a contracted out pension during your previous working years? If so you can reduce the amount of the 'Contracted Out Pension Equivalent' or cope by continuing to pay NI. Cope can have a substantial impact on your final state pension.