Irish - UK pension contributions

[reallifesucks]

I worked in the uk for a number of years and I believe I have until April 5th to buy extra years into my pension.

How do I know how many years I have already paid?
And how do I know how to buy these extra years?!

Thanks

You need to set up a Government Gateway Account www.access.service.gov.uk/login/signin/creds
and then check your NI record and do a pensions check. www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Are you in the Republic now?

Uspfinancial.ie have information on their website. It is a bit of a fiddly process.

Yes , live I the Republic now. Tried to register on that gateway site and it says "the information you gave does not match our records"

I have an old p60 in front of me so its definitely the right details!

Did you use your previous UK address?

If I were in your shoes, I'd try and ring up the relevant body in the UK with your NI number. My dad receives a very small amount from when he worked in the UK in the 60s. I'm not sure what you would be entitled to now. I have small private pension from the UK which I will definitely be accessing in 25 years.

Thanks all. I have spent a good part of my morning on hold. I have made some progress.
I was on to the National Insurance helpline.

I have an O' name and an Irish passport and apparently government gateway can't process special characters. Do you have a UK driving licence you can use instead? I had to give up...

Contact Future Pension Centre: 0800 731 0175