Janice

35 years only applies to someone who began work from 6th April 2016 onwards. For the rest of us we're in a transitional phase from old to new system and anything from 29 to 50 years may be needed. With 40 years, the only reason you are not getting the full new state pension is because you have been contracted out. During that time you paid less NI as did your employer. In return your works pension makes up the difference. You can improve your state pension by either paying voluntary NI or getting NI Credits.

HMRC will not be able to give you the answers you want/need. It's the Future Pension Centre that will give you the answer but they're very busy just now. Failing that you can head off to the MSE Forums Pension Board where you will get the help you need.

Thank you HMRC Admin 32 I noticed today that the Self Assessment Help Guidance had changed and no longer says a maximum of 52 weeks. Perhaps one more small change needed to mention 53 weeks also being a possibility in some tax years?

Can I have an update on where you are at please with correspondence regarding paying NI from Canada?

Hi HMRC Admin, Well I'm now totally confused! You initially told me to declare the amount for 52 weeks which is what the Self Assessment help guidance says I should do. Now you're telling me I should declare the 53 week figure and ignore the guidance on the SA form.

Hi HMRC Admin - Can I just ask for clarification on this please? For me this is a 53 week year as far as state pension payments are concerned as my first entitlement in the 2023/24 tax year was 6th April 2023. I'm looking ahead but noticed on the SA guidance under the State pension section that it says this; "If you receive State Pension for the full year to 5 April 2023, to calculate the total amount you were entitled to for the year, multiply your weekly entitlement by 52. If your weekly entitlement changed during the year you'll need to multiply each amount by the number of weeks for which it was received up to a maximum of 52 weeks." Looking at my 2023/24 Tax Code the figure used is 1 week at the old rate and 51 weeks at the new rate so 52 weeks in total. So are you saying that I should enter the amount for 53 weeks which will be 2 weeks at the old rate and 51 weeks at the new rate even though the guidance is telling me to use a maximum of 52 weeks and my tax code has also used 52 weeks?

Thank you HMRC Admin 20 However I am a little confused as on the 15th February you gave me this reply; "Posted about a month ago by HMRC Admin 20 Hi jem16, As I don’t know which country is involved the following are our International timescales: They are dealing with post received on: EU: 31 August 2022 Non EU: 17 August 2022" Presumably Canada is Non EU? If so then why, 5 weeks later, are they working on earlier correspodence?

My son's CF83 application form was received by you on 14th September 2022 - just over 26 weeks ago. Can you clarify where you are currently at with these applications and when can he expect his application to be processed?

Hi cat2hawkins The tax year in which you reach State Pension Age does not count towards your state pension. No voluntary contributions from 6th April 2023 will count so you should cancel your Direct debit going forward. However before doing so just check if April's payment is paying in arrears or not.

Dear HMRC 20 days ago I asked where you were up to with processing CF83 forms and I was told this; "Posted 20 days ago by HMRC Admin 20 Hi jem16, As I don’t know which country is involved the following are our International timescales: They are dealing with post received on: EU: 31 August 2022 Non EU: 17 August 2022 Thank you." Yet 4 hours ago you posted on this thread to say you were processing CF83 forms from 1oth August. Are you really saying that in 20 days you have gone backwards? I do appreciate that you're busy but it would help if we are given accurate information.