If you do not pay National Insurance you may have gaps in your National Insurance record, HMRC has warned via Twitter/X
HMRC blocking state pensioners from their ‘full’ amount because of record
HMRC has warned some state pensioners could miss out on their “full” state pension amounts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
If you do not pay National Insurance you may have gaps in your National Insurance record, HMRC has warned via Twitter/X. “I have checked my Government pension and I found out that I have a lower monthly pension,” the taxpayer said.
“It looks like I was paying a lower rate of income tax for six years as self-employed which was between permanent employment. I’m 63 and I have worked all my life, can I get full pension?” HMRC replied: “You usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to get the full amount.
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“You’d need to check your NI history to view how many qualifying years you have.” The taxpayer asked: “I do have over 45 years contributions but six years I worked self-employed but paid less for those two years.
“Is there any way I can top those six years up?” HMRC said in response: “You’d need to contact the Future Pension Centre for an adviser to confirm.
“If they check your record and then confirm it’s worth your while to make a top-up for those years, we can then advise on the next steps.” You cannot pay voluntary contributions if you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record – unless you’re getting Class 3 credits and are eligible to pay Class 2 contributions, are a married woman or widow paying reduced rate National Insurance or have passed the deadline for paying contributions for the period that has gaps.
Check your National Insurance record to find out if you have any gaps and how much it will cost to pay voluntary contributions.
You can also check if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions or if you can pay online.
If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, check if you’re eligible for National Insurance credits before deciding to pay voluntary contributions.
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you think your National Insurance record is wrong.