Record shows 46 full years but also 4 years to contribute.

I have just reviewed my NI record and it show 46 years of full contributions which I understand is in excess of that required for the full state pension. However it also states that there is 4 years to contribute before April 2026. As I’m not now working do I still need to make contributions and if so how do I go about doing this. Many thanks, 

Name removed Admin 

Hi,
Thank you for your enquiry. The number of qualifying years required can vary from person to person.
Your Personal Tax account or the Future Pensions Service can clarify if you have enough years.
However, if it is your Personal Tax account you are referring to even if you have enough years for your pension, it will still mention how many years you have left to contribute before reaching state pension age.
If you were employed/self-employed and earning over the thresholds you would still be liable to pay National Insurance.
If you are no longer employed/self-employed and you already have it confirmed that you have enough qualifying years to get the full state pension  paying voluntary contributions would not increase your pension payments. 
Thank you.

Many thanks for your reply. That does explain it very well for me. Cheers

Hello I will qualify for my State Pension in 2027. I worked for the NHS until March of this year when I retired due to personal circumstances. My NI record shows 44 full qualiifying years but states I need at least 2 more years to qualify for the full state pension. I believe that this is, in part, due to the NHS 'contracting out' I worked as an auxiliary nurse from 1993-1996, completed my Staff Nurse training form 1996-1999 and then worked full time until March 2023. Could someone please explain the 'contracting out' thing to me and how it has affected my NI contributions. I believe that, under normal circumstances, you require 35 years to qualify for full State Pension and, if I do manage another 2 years, I will have 46 years Thank You

Hi juliemci,

For explanations of How your Basic State Pension has been calculated you will need to contact Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm.
They will explain about the impact of your contracted out period in your individual circumstances.
If you are wanting any advice on your Contracted Out pension, you can contact our Helpline on 0300 200 3500 – Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm. 

Thank you.

@juliemci McIntyre You've got a bit confused. Needing 35 years only applies to those people starting to build up NI years from 2916 onwards. Everyone else is under transitional rules. You are likely to be a big winner under the new system, paying reduced NI whilst contracted out but now getting the opportunity to accrue the standard "new" State Pension rather than the "basic" State Pension. gov.uk has some useful info here, https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-its-calculated

Oops! That should have said from 2016 onwards.

I have just reviewed my NI record and it show 45 years of full contributions which I understand is in excess of that required for the full state pension. It says that there are 4 years where I didn't pay enough NI to count as a qualifying year. I have not been receiving what is stated at the full pension since I retired last year. I did try to find out how I could pay for those years, but that does not seem to be an option when I check my account now. I was contracted out at some time - but would that not show as not having paid full years' NI if that was the case. I have phoned twice & was told first time that it looked like I should be getting full amount. Waited 6 weeks & called again & was told my case would be checked again & a letter sent. Still nothing.

Hi,

If you could contact The Pension Service they will be able to check your State Pension entitlement and your National Insurance account.

Contact the Pension Service

Thank you.

I understand the minimum years NI contributions needed for a full UK state pension. I also understood that contributions need to be paid in the years immediately prior to claiming the state pension but I have not been able to verify this on the Government web sites. Is it possible to stop working and cease NI contributions before the state pension age (say at aged 63) and still claim a full state pension assuming full qualifying years have been paid.

Hi,
Yes, it is possible to stop working and paying NICs before reaching state pension age and still have paid NI in enough years to give 100% entitlement. 
It is not necessary for NICs to be paid in the years ‘immediately prior to claiming the state pension’ specifically.  
However in certain cases paying for gaps prior to the 2016-17 year will not improve entitlement.
For specific advice on your pension entitlement, I recommend you speak to the future pension centre on 0800 731 0175  8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday
Thank you.