Contracted out

I was contracted out at some point so do not get the full pension having retired at 67 in 2023. I have a workplace pension. I was contracted out for a couple of years at some point but have well over 45 years contributions, having worked all my life. if I need 35 years full contributions (which I have) to get the full pension and I was contracted out for a couple of years surely I would still have enough years contributions in the pot to get a full pension? Is this correct?

Hi Shell190 Younger
When you have been contracted out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) some of your National 
Insurance contributions were either.
• lower than people who were not contracted out
• paid into another pension, for example a workplace or private pension
When you are contracted out of the state pension you may need more qualifying tax years 
than the standard 35 years to get a full state pension.
If you wish to check your State Pension position you can get information about your State 
Pension entitlement from the Pensions and Retirement Planning section at www. gov.uk
Link here: Plan your retirement income: step by step
If you do not have access to the Internet, you can phone the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 +44 191 218 3600.
Contact the Future Pension Centre
Thank you. 

 

Hi there I do not have any years missing. My point is I was contracted out for a couple of years I know but I’ve paid contributions for nearly 50 years. If I need 35 qualifying years (which I have), if I was contracted out let’s say for instance 5 years, what happened to the additional 10 years that I paid in? I did pay into a works pension fair enough, but in my eyes I should still be entitled titled to a full pension as I have paid in for years over the top which was needed?

Hi Shell190 Younger,
If you have paid contributions for nearly 50 years, you can contact the Department for Work and Pensions State Pension helpline and they will advise you how may qualifying tax years you have and how any contracting out period has reduced your State Pension.
They can also advise you on how the State Pension is calculated.
You may have tax years where you have contributed but some tax years may not be full qualifying tax years towards the State Pension. 
State Pension helpline:
Enquiries - 0800 731 0469
Open - 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, closed bank holidays and weekends
Northern Ireland - 0800 587 0892
If you need to check the amount of qualifying tax years with HMRC you can obtain a statement of National Insurance to view your qualifying tax years that count to the State Pension.
Check your National Insurance record
You can also obtain confirmation of your contracted out period with HMRC by calling the National Insurance helpline on 0300 200 3500.