Robin Gillies

Andrew, thanks for your comment, much appreciated. This is the second episode I’ve had with my State Pension. Before I reached pension age I made a voluntary contribution. I can’t remember exactly when I made the payment but, while it certainly took a few months to process, I received the appropriate increased pension when I turned pension age. This time I made another voluntary contribution, in November 2023, after I’d reached pension age, in respect of year 22/23. I’ve phoned the helpline and they’ve said it could be at least another 4 weeks before my pension payment is increased. I did get confirmation that the increase would be backdated to when they received the voluntary contribution, and the agent did say he would chase the payment following my phone call. All the best!

I turned 66 in July 2023 and have received a state pension since then. In November 2023 I made an additional voluntary contribution in respect of year to 5th April 2023, but my pension payment has not yet been increased. Can you tell me when it will be increased, and will the increased payment be backdated to when I made the payment?

I turned 66 in July 23 and am now in receipt of my state pension - not the maximum pension as I did not have sufficient contributions. Will I be able to make a voluntary contribution for 22/23 in order to increase my pension, even though I’m already receiving it? If so, when will the amount I need to pay for 22/23 be known - at the moment the amount is not on the website record. Thanks.

I paid 6 years worth of voluntary contributions on 11.1.23, and was told of the normal 6 week timescale for it to be allocated. When my record was not updated within the 6 weeks I phoned the helpline who confirmed that my payment had been received but had not yet been allocated. One of your earlier responses implied that the helpline could allocate the payment during the call. Should I have been offered that option? Can I call again and have that happen? I have checked today and the payment has not been allocated.