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Original poster

Pay into state pension

14 replies

BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 12:42

Can I pay lump sums into state pension?

I was a sahm for 25 years. Am 53 now. Horrible divorce. Blah blah.

No state pension. Can I pay a chunk into it to secure state pension?

OP posts:
CourtenayDevon · 30/03/2024 12:51

I don't think you can pay one lump sum.
If you log on to your government record of your pension, you can backdate some years. It will tell you which years you can update. It has changed recently.

www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

messybutfun · 30/03/2024 12:52

Did you claim child benefit?

Notsonifty50 · 30/03/2024 12:55

As PPs said you need to log onto the government gateway and see which years you are missing NI contributions for. It will tell you how much you need to pay. If you claimed child benefit you will have NI credits for those years,

Original poster
BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 15:19

Stbxh earned too much for child benefit. So I'm screwed on the front too.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 15:20

So I check which years are missing then I can make payments to make up for them?

OP posts:
Original poster
BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 15:20

Thank you for your help.

OP posts:
Rainbowshit · 30/03/2024 15:22

BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 15:19

Stbxh earned too much for child benefit. So I'm screwed on the front too.

You should have claimed it anyway and they would have allowed for it in his tax code.

As others have said you need to check how many years you have missed and you may be able to pay for them now.

Original poster
BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 15:37

Yeah I didn't know that about credits for CB. What a shame. I wonder if I can do anything about that.

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 30/03/2024 15:49

Unless the system changes, people without state pension seem to get pension credit awarded anyway.

PaminaMozart · 30/03/2024 15:53

Your solicitor should ensure that your lack of a pension is taken into consideration in the financial settlement, both by off-setting other assets and buying back as many SP years as possible.

If you haven't already, make sure you're up to speed - Wikivorce, Divorce for Dummies etc.

TheOneWithUnagi · 30/03/2024 15:58

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/?utmsource=mseios&source=MOBBMSEIOS&utmmedium=mobileeapp&utmcampaign=msee_home

You have until April 2025 to make a lump sum to cover since 2006.

Cotswoldbee · 30/03/2024 16:00

When you log into your Gov Gateway Acc it will show you how many years you have plus part and/or missing years. It will also show you which years you can "buy" and the cost but it isn't as straight forward as just pressing a button and paying. You have to speak to an advisor who will run few a few things first and if/when you agree to buy some, they will give you a reference number (16-digit I seem to recall?) which has to be included with the payment.
One thing that you have to consider is how many working years you have ahead of you when you could be earning & paying NI.

Notsonifty50 · 30/03/2024 20:28

BlastedPimples · 30/03/2024 15:37

Yeah I didn't know that about credits for CB. What a shame. I wonder if I can do anything about that.

You should be able to apply retrospectively for those NI credits from April 2026. Will see if I can find the link which I have saved somewhere.

KeepingItUnderTheRadar · 30/03/2024 20:33

Stbxh earned too much for child benefit. So I'm screwed on the front too

CB has only been means tested for about 10/12 years though. You'd have got it before that so must have some NI credits?

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