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State Pension

Posted , 5 users are following.

hypercat
hypercat

Hi I don't know if anyone will know anything but thought I would ask anyway.  I am due to get my state pension at 65 in 2 years time.  Now I know the full rate is around £155 a week which I was expecting seeing as I have more than 35 years National Insurance Stamps.

However I look it up online and it says that while I have 39 years NI contributions I am on target for only £133.00 a week instead.  I can't understand why this would be the case. 

I haven't been in work since 2010 and do remember reading something somewhere saying that some of these contributions have to be between 2016 and 2019,  but when I asked Age Uk about it they said that is not the case. 

I have googled this but can't find any info and am wondering if anyone could help please.

Thank you. 

 

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • denise15811
    denise15811 hypercat

    Posted

    Hi Hypercat,

    I'm so sorry but i have no idea about pensions as i'm way off claiming mine yet so it's not something i've ever read about. I just didn't want you to think i'm ignoring your post. Hope you find the answer your looking for here or maybe CAB could inform you better. xx

  • belgravia
    belgravia hypercat

    Posted

    Yes as Denise says contact the advice services like CAB who would understand these things much more then any of us Hypercat..
  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo hypercat

    Posted

    Hi I would presume your male due to the 65 years of age for retirement, I don't see how you are only getting the low rate projection of pension.

    A because that's not an option with your stamps but B because it goes up nominally this month.

    Did you use the pension calculator on the DWP site.

    • hypercat
      hypercat AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      No I am female but am caught in the putting the pension age up for women so I will be 65 when I get mine.   My sister who is 2 years younger will get hers at 66 and it will be the same age for men. 

      I went on the Government Gateway site which is official DWP, answered loads of security questions and they gave me access to my records online.

  • hypercat
    hypercat

    Posted

    Thanks for your replies folks.  I appreciate no one know has any answers but can anyone have a google for me please as I can't find anything online about  this  .

    I won't go to our CAB as they are only open 2 mornings a week and are frantically busy,  but I did arrange a meeting with an advisor at 'Age UK'  last year who assured me that it isn't the case I would have to have more recent stamps to get the full pension.   It seems she might be wrong. 

     

  • patricia04797
    patricia04797 hypercat

    Posted

    Hi hypercat,

    I am in a similar situation to you. I am also due to get my state pension in two years when I'm 65. I went online and checked and am due the full state pension £155. 

    I checked with CAB online and searched national insurance conbributions and benefits. Wow, it's a minefield! There are so many varying rules and different circumstances.  It is a bit confusing but if you read through it you may find stuff that suits your circumstances. It definitely does say "If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you normally need 35 qualifying years". Note the word "normally"!

    Sorry I can't be of more help. xx

     

    • hypercat
      hypercat patricia04797

      Posted

      Thanks for that.  When I checked it said I had 39 qualifying years which is over the 35 that they are demanding.  I can't understand why my reading is different from yours.

      Can I ask are you still working please?  

       

    • patricia04797
      patricia04797 hypercat

      Posted

      No, I'm not working, I lost my job through ill health and have been on ESA in the support group for about 4 years now. I'm assuming my NICs are paid through them. I don't even pretend to understand how it works!

      I took about ten years off altogether when my kids were little but I think my husband's NICs covered that somehow and probably kept me up to date.

      I know you said CAB are really busy in your area but could you perhaps arrange a phone intervew with them instead? They're usually pretty good at this sort of thing. 

    • hypercat
      hypercat patricia04797

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that.   It looks like the fact you are claiming benefits and getting your NI stamp paid is the difference.   I am not claiming any benefits coz I have very small private pensions.  I am going to ring the pensions up tomorrow to see what the situation is. 

      I hope I am not going to be forced on JSA to just get my stamp paid.  I can't get a job at my age and  most of them I can't physically do anyway.  Thanks for your reply.  

       

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