Is my state pension preserved ?

[SimonV8ster]

Ok, too much reading leaflets on a boxing day has got me thinking.

I have paid 26/27 years of national insurance payments, i believe if you pay 30 years you qualify for the full amount of state pension.

If i never contribute again am i going to receive 26/27 - 30ths of my state pension ? Will it be preserved for me without doing anything ?

If i'm not around (travelling abroad/working abroad/living abroad) do i need to make the odd payment to retain it ?

[Simpo Two]

Aren contributions not compulsory for 30 years unlesss your earnings are <£5,885pa?

[Riff Raff]

The number of years contributions you need to make are going up to 35. The change happens in 2016 or 2017, Google to check. Whether you will receive the maximum weekly payment will depend on whether you were contracted in or out, as well as the number of years contributions you have. It is really complicated to work out what you might get, and talking to a pensions advisor might well be worthwhile.

I know I need to.

[sawman]

SimonV8ster said:

If i'm not around (travelling abroad/working abroad/living abroad) do i need to make the odd payment to retain it ?

I would speak to some one at national insurance office - they are quite helpful in my experience.

I paid a different rate of NI whilst overseas for a couple of years - cant remember the detail as we have ben back in the UK for 5 years!

[The Leaper]

Go on to the DWP website and order a personal State pension forecast: this should be your starting point. It should also indicate whether or not it's the full State pension.

R.