EC70 C

Thank you for your confirmation. Yes I thought I would have to contact DWP. The problem is despite calling several times a day I never get through. I select options, 1, 4, 1 and then it rings once then goes straight to an engaged tone. That is regardless of the time of day I call between 8am and 6pm. Can I write to DWP?

Thank you for your reply HMRC. I suspect I should not insert my NI number in this forum as it is public. I can confirm that I have checked my NI record and pension forecast: You can get your State Pension on 14 February 2037 Your forecast is £185.15 a week, £805.07 a month, £9,660.86 a year Your forecast is not a guarantee and is based on the current law is based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2022 does not include any increase due to inflation £185.15 is the most you can get You cannot improve your forecast any more When i got into my NI record I see this: You have: 30 years of full contributions 14 years to contribute before 5 April 2036 7 years when you did not contribute enough. Yes when I add the years 'full paid' it only adds up to 28. I tried to pay voluntary contributions when I was abroad but was told that I didnt need to due to a 'reciprocal agreement' with that Country. On my return when I asked to have my records updated to reflect that agreement i was told that actually that only applies if I had been paid in £ which I was not. They did say however that I would have enough years to qualify for a full pension so they told me not to worry. That was in 2012 and the rules have since changed. I believe I can pay class 2 for some of those missing years. It is just impossible to speak to anyone on the phone to resolve this.

It has been very interesting reading this forum. I am finding it impossible to speak to anyone on the future pensions line despite trying to call them 12 times in a day! I am self employed so had to hang up each time a client arrived. Anyway after a search I came across the forums. My pension forecast clearly states that I have paid 30 years and says I cannot improve my forecast anymore. However I only have 28 fully paid years. I do not retire until 2037 although due to health issues may have to give up work beforehand so I am keen to resolve any outstanding amounts now. I lived abroad for 7 years and so have 7 missing years on my NI record. I am nervous about trusting the pension forecast since when I was living abroad I contacted the department and asked them if I could pay voluntary NIC while I was abroad since I knew I would eventually return. I was employed abroad and paying their equivalent of NI etc. They told me and confirmed IN WRITING that they had a reciprocal agreement with that Country and so I would get credits on my return so long as kept evidence. I did just that but on my return I was told that I had been misinformed and that would only have been the case if I was working and paid in UK GBP. It all leaves me feeling very uncomfortable and no doubt the rules will change again and again before I do retire and can claim the state pension. Any advice much appreciated.