Originally Posted by Perth

Thanks, but I am not within six years of retirement due to the increase in retirement age. I am 58. I did read the entire article and it did not appear to apply to me. The whole thing is so confusing

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse

Hi chook, would it be worth getting a pension forecast, even if you already have one? My reason for suggesting this is, as well as the amount of pension you'll receive based on your NI record to date, there's another section, tailored to your circumstances, that tells you the ways you can increase your contributions.

Originally Posted by mrken30

I called about voluntary contributions in April this year and they told me about going back 10 years. I won't retire until after 2030.the 10 years didn't apply as I left in 2008.just call them, they are normally very helpful.

Originally Posted by Perth

Yep, will do. Always a hassle calling from Florida as the connection is never good from my cell (we have chucked the landline). But no worries. For an extra few quid in my dotage, I'll make it work.

Originally Posted by vikingsail

I would sign up for one of Skypes monthly plans cheaper than paying cell phone rates. Then you can sit on hold for hours. Although my own experience of calling this service is very positive. Never been on hold for more than 5/ 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by morpeth

I use Skype for same reason when calling Overseas, and even have on occasion used it via my cell phone as well.

As far as pension question , IF I understand the posts and brochure I received when I asked for Pension statement, I can pay in Class 3 contributions which will add to number of years credited. I keep seeing references online that it isn't that clear but that is what brochure seems to say.

Originally Posted by feelbritish

I was not going to phone from here in UK as it is one of those expensive premium numbers so I emailed them for a forcast and got standard email back that I could only get forcast a few months before I retire which was as helpful as a chocolate teapot! On paying the new Class 3 since 2 stopped this year I was advised it was not worth paying in for the remaining 5 years to get a little more back monthly. Has anyone written to them and got a forcast and is there a different email or normal phone number for them?

Originally Posted by feelbritish

I was not going to phone from here in UK as it is one of those expensive premium numbers so I emailed them for a forcast and got standard email back that I could only get forcast a few months before I retire which was as helpful as a chocolate teapot! On paying the new Class 3 since 2 stopped this year I was advised it was not worth paying in for the remaining 5 years to get a little more back monthly. Has anyone written to them and got a forcast and is there a different email or normal phone number for them?

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

It depends a bit on (a) whether 7000 quid is lot of money to you and (b) how long you hope to live and [c] do you have other sources of pension income which make the State pension trivial to you?

Right now, your pension will be effectively zero (unless you do get a job and get ahead of the new minimum 10 years of contributions) The new full pension amount is supposed to be 150x52=7800 pounds a year, index linked.

So for 7000 you're financing the first 11 months yourself.

ETA: Is your username where you're from? I was there this afternoon.