State Pension

[Regretsandregrets]

Last year(6th April 2020-5th April 2021) I paid £3710 of NI Contributions on my earnings of roughly £41000 but I only worked 11 months and not 12 as I retired and returned part-time with a month taken off in between.
Now, my question is whether this last year will count towards my qualifying years for State Pension or not ?
Do I have to pay for all 52 weeks to make it a qualifying year or the total amount paid a more relevant number?
I have 33 qualifying years before last year and will be happy to pay for those missing few weeks if the last year would not qualify otherwise.
I hope I have made it clear!!!

Have you logged into the hmrc portal and checked how many qualifying years it says you have?

The last year's figures haven't been updated yet but I never thought there would be an issue. Just read an article in a newspaper which mentioned 52 weekly contributions to make it a qualifying year which has put a doubt in my mind.

www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/students/going-abroad/national-insurance

Did you earn over the lower earnings limit?

I was 6 weeks short in contributions for one year as only paid up until mid Feb. I only had to pay £60 to make it up to a full year. I was only paying minimum contributions (or should say they were being paid for me - benefits related). Look up Pension wise - a Government free advice line. I found them very helpful in advising me how many years short I was and how much and when to make up contributions.

@SuperLoudPoppingAction....a very useful link indeed. I definitely earned more than the Lower Earning Limit and should therefore qualify.
Your help is greatly appreciated.

@bigbluebus..Thanks for your reply. I have noted Pension wise for any future query.

As you earned more than 52 x the lower earnings limit it will be a qualifying year. The fact you didn’t work every week is not relevant.