State Pension Query.

Hi Federica Buso,
Thank you for your query
We apologise for the current wait times on the phone lines, during this busy time of year we are receiving a high volume of calls, we are currently trying our best to reduce the long wait times, the quietest time of day for contacting the helpline is the first and last hour the lines are open, between 8-9am and 5-6pm.
However if you are unable to call at these times, an alternative to contacting us via telephone is our customer webchat. Please find the link below:
Ask HMRC online - Ask HMRC - GOV.UK
Thank you.
 

Hi pwylung,
Providing that we receive your query before 5 April 2025 then an individual will receive a further 31 days for making any shortfalls of voluntary National Insurance contributions that they may wish to make.
The rates in force when we receive your query will be used.  
You will not be penalised for our delays.
Thank you.

 

I received Home Responsibilities Protection (now national insurance credits) for my Son until he was 16. He continued full time education at school for another 2 years and although I still received Child Benefit for these 2 years I didn’t receive any HRP for those years. Why do these 2 years NOT count towards HRP for National Insurance purposes?

Having worked overseas for a number of years, there are gaps in my NI contributions that may be filled and the amounts (based on Class 3) have been shown in my account when I checked in HMRC site. Got a confirmation email from State Pension that I am eligible to pay at the cheaper Class 2 rates, together with the respective amounts for the relevant years. It has been 2 weeks and the gap amounts shown in my aforesaid account have not been updated. I already paid on-line based on the class 2 amounts advised, and sent in a completed form IPC117 as advised by the aforesaid email. My questions: (1) when should I expect the gap amounts be updated? (2) do I still have to call HMRC to allocate my payment as you advised above a while ago, or it is no longer necessary since the latest instructions I received is to send in the completed IPC117 after payment is made? Thank you.

Most of my outstanding Voluntary NICs are class 2. There are 3 years which are class 3. How do I find out what my pension forcast will be if I do not pay the the class 3 NICs.

Hi Daisycat Clark,
When your child reached the age of 16, you no longer met the requirements to benefit from the Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) scheme. To qualify for HRP, you needed to have received Child Benefit for an entire tax year (from 6 April to 5 April) for a child under 16 between 6 April 1978 and 5 April 2010.
Even though your child continued his education after turning 16 and you were still receiving Child Benefit payments, there was no scheme available to award credits to your National Insurance record.
Thank you 
 

Can a lump sum be taken from a deferred UK state pension and leave the remainder deferred? Thank you in advance.

Hi pwylung,
If the payment has been made then currently it can take a few weeks as there are a large amount of payments and queries around voluntary contributions being received and worked.
If your account is still not updated after 6-8 weeks then please get in touch with HMRC by phone to make sure the payment has been correctly allocated.
Contact details here: 
National Insurance: general enquiries
In all cases the actual payment date will be used in any calculation of pension so customer will not lose out.
Thank  you. 

Hi Beebee,
You can get more information on how to check your state Pension following this link
Check your State Pension forecast
You can also call Future Pensions to discuss how your pension will be impacted by choosing not to make payments for specific years.
You can call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175
Contact the Future Pension Centre
Thank you 
 

Hi Mike Devereux,
For further assistance and advice regarding deferment of pensions, please contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469
You can also get more information about deferring your pension here
Delay (defer) your State Pension
Thank you. 

I am unable to access any information elating to my future pension, telephone is not answered and the online access is unavailable for over a week

Hi
Prior to year end 24/25, my pension forecast showed that years 2010/11 through to 2013/15 were being reviewed.
I was content with this as these are years my daughter was in school and I expected this to change to full year.
I have looked today, and the wording has changed to not full year.
I need to get these changed to full year.
How do I go about this?
I have written but not received a response.
I would prefer to speak to someone either through email or by phone.
Can you help/advise please?

Hi Siennablue Morgan
Please use the contact details:
Contact the Future Pension Centre
Thank you