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  1. #1
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    5 stars to the staff at the UK government lost NI number department!

    I lost my NI number yonks ago. I had previously paid some small amounts into the system, but left the UK when I was 43 years old. I reckoned that I would be able to claim a pension of totally bugger-all in 5 years when I hit 66 years old.

    Just now I called the above department in Geordie-land, got out my Geordie translator app and tried to track down my missing NI number. Within a few minutes, (mainly because my surname is unusual ==> Simon 'Grandcock', they tracked down my records and my NI number reminder will be in the post!

    But more important and reassuring for me, once they were happy that I was who I claimed to be, they looked up my records and told me that I had made 10 years of NI contributions, which equates to about 48 quid/week in pension. But they also checked and said that I could top up with another 14 years, then top up again each year from now until I'm 66, and then be eligible to receive a pension for 30 years of contributions, which works out at about $750 USD per month.

    I actually spend less than that each month on rent and food..... I have been feverishly saving $2,000 a month in the misplaced believe that I'd have no pension.

    So in fact, rather than being totally skint when I retire, if I make these top-up payments, I should be able to afford both a live in tart and a live in ladyboy, (well maybe the LB might be rather expensive....).

    Next step is to wait for my NI number by post, then apply for an accurate pension forecast, then make the top up payments.

    The staff at the call-centre in Newcastle were really helpful - I can't fault them, (except for their accent of course).
    Groping women when you're old is fine - everyone thinks you're senile

  2. #2
    I'm in Jail

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    Simon, good for you. Slimboyfat found out he could also make up back payments and was also pleasantly surprised; if you know your Govt pensionable retirement date and can top up missed payments (which by and large is inexpensive) then its a no brainer.

  3. #3
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    You actually forgot your NI number? I was given mine at 16 years old and was told to memorise it and remember it. I did. And I can still remember it to this day.
    Last edited by Neverna; 14-01-2020 at 10:39 PM.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    You actually forgot you NI number? I was given mine at 16 years old and was told to memorise it and remember it. I did. And I can still remember it to this day.
    Actually I could remember some of the NI number, but not all of it. I left the UK around 2002 and over the years I mislaid and finally lost the number.

    Once I receive the reminder, I intend to have it tattooed onto my todger....

    Now the next step will be to see if I can wrangle paying the cheaper class 2 contributions, as opposed to class 3.

  5. #5
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    Not my experience, lost my NI card years ago, had no idea of the number, tried to get it from HMRC who control the system, filled in all the address, employment etc. details.
    I am still in the UK by them, ID theft came to mind, HMRC wrote, I have to report the ID theft to my local UK police station.
    Contacted a friend who is still a detective in the West Mids about making a crime report, can't do from overseas.

    Would be good if some Nigerian had been working with my number all those years, but at a guess he has been on the dole in my name.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    The staff at the call-centre in Newcastle were really helpful - I can't fault them, (except for their accent of course).
    I agree, in my dealings with them, they were very helpful and informative.

    Being Geordies they will have memories of when things were really tough for the average Joe or Jill.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    a guess he has been on the dole in my name
    I believe you used to get NI credits with "dole" time. One did/does if "caring", for children if female and possibly male these days, or an elderly person.

  8. #8
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    And I can still remember it to this day
    how many use their number as a password ?

  9. #9
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    I'm amazed that people could be so simple minded as to think the DWP might have difficulty in tracing a NINO from an enquiry made by a forgetful Brit punter born in the UK.

    Incidentally, HMRC do not "control" the system as alleged by Jim, the NINO allocation is a DWP function as indeed is the maintenance of records which of course are indivisible from those maintained by the HMRC not least because NI contributions are deducted from taxable income and that a "contribution year" means a qualifying year in which a minimum level of earnings was accrued, currently £6,136.

    Many folk overlook this important threshold, and when trying to calculate their likely SPA they overlook part years etc.

    Also, those of a certain age received NI credits for the time they remained in education from the age of 16 to 18 years inclusive but this changed in 2010 after the contribution years threshold was reduced from 44 to 30.

  10. #10
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    Interesting SA, web site says HMRC is where you get your NI number from, you say different, can you tell me which agency I need to go to.

  11. #11
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    I'm amazed that people could be so simple minded as to think the DWP might have difficulty in tracing a NINO from an enquiry made by a forgetful Brit punter born in the UK.
    It only took 30 seconds to locate my name in their database - there are only 2 other people living in the UK with the same last name (my 2 brothers).

    Now if I were called Mohamed Patel, things might have been different.....

  12. #12
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    Now if I were called Mohamed Patel, things might have been different.....
    doubt it.

    patel is a hindu name, very few muslims will have the surname patel, and very few hindus will have the forename mohammed.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    Simon, good for you. Slimboyfat found out he could also make up back payments and was also pleasantly surprised; if you know your Govt pensionable retirement date and can top up missed payments (which by and large is inexpensive) then its a no brainer.
    Indeed, and despite another poster on TD commenting that an individual could only make missed payments for the last 6 years, I have made up missed payments for the last 13 years and this is now reflected on my National Insurance record.
    I am now paying Class 2 contributions (£12) monthly by direct debit and if I continue this to make the total up to 35 years of contributions then I will get the full state pension.

    Well worth it in my opinion and thanks to NPT for suggesting I look into this.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile View Post
    doubt it.

    patel is a hindu name, very few muslims will have the surname patel, and very few hindus will have the forename mohammed.
    wot E said 5555

  15. #15
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    ...and despite another poster on TD commenting that an individual could only make missed payments for the last 6 years, I have made up missed payments for the last 13 years and this is now reflected on my National Insurance record
    That's correct. The NI office chap said that I had paid in 10 years, and could top up for 14 years of contributions from 2006 to the present year, then contribute for the next 5 years until I'm 66 years old, then retire with 30 years of NI contributions. (I can't make it up to 35 years - I left the UK too many years ago, but 30 years is far better than nothing).

    Since I was self-employed both in the UK and when working overseas, I'm hoping that I can top up with the cheaper Class 2 contributions.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    there are only 2 other people living in the UK with the same name (my 2 brothers).....
    Simon your parents didn't show much imagination naming you all Simon
    Last edited by NamPikToot; 20-01-2020 at 09:13 PM.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by slimboyfat View Post
    Indeed, and despite another poster on TD commenting that an individual could only make missed payments for the last 6 years, I have made up missed payments for the last 13 years and this is now reflected on my National Insurance record.
    I am now paying Class 2 contributions (£12) monthly by direct debit and if I continue this to make the total up to 35 years of contributions then I will get the full state pension.

    Well worth it in my opinion and thanks to NPT for suggesting I look into this.
    The system changed in 2016 and it is right that anyone eligible for the new SPA system can buy missing contributions in respect of years from 2006/7 onwards but these must be bought before 5 April 2023. After that date the buying of extra years will revert to the previous condition that missing years can only be topped up within six years.

    Obviously, this will be important to those who are still undecided.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    The system changed in 2016 and it is right that anyone eligible for the new SPA system can buy missing contributions in respect of years from 2006/7 onwards but these must be bought before 5 April 2023. After that date the buying of extra years will revert to the previous condition that missing years can only be topped up within six years.

    Obviously, this will be important to those who are still undecided.
    Exactly. Right now, I'm 'at the start' because I'm waiting to receive my NI number reminder letter via snail mail. Then I need to ask for a pensions forecast, (which I already know from the NI chap). Then I need to apply to top up and justify why I should be allowed to pay the cheaper Class 2 contributions. Finally, I need to pay up!

    I should get that all done before 2023 I hope!

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Airportwo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    I lost my NI number yonks ago. I had previously paid some small amounts into the system, but left the UK when I was 43 years old
    Interesting, my card was stolen in 79 along with quite a few other things in Malaysia, been meaning to get number since then, I left when I was 23, so don't hold up much hope of their being any money in the kitty for me!

  20. #20
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    Update: Well, just 3 weeks after requesting my NI # reminder, it arrived in the post and I was able to register an account on the government website.

    That website informs me that I've paid in for 10 years, (as was verbally informed to me before), and will receive just 401.12 GBP a month when I retire in 5 years. But by making voluntary NI contributions, I can increase this to 559 GBP/month.

    However, my record of years where I can top up quote the top up rate as class 3.

    Does anyone know the procedure/tricks to get this changed to the cheaper class 2 contributions?

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    That website informs me that I've paid in for 10 years,and will receive just 401.12 GBP a month when I retire in 5 years.
    are you complaining?, generally the idea is you pay in all your working life to get a pension not 10 years. Depending on how long you live that looks like a good return the current payers are giving you. jeez.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    are you complaining?, generally the idea is you pay in all your working life to get a pension not 10 years. Depending on how long you live that looks like a good return the current payers are giving you. jeez.
    Actually, my use of the word 'just' was to then compare it with the amount that I will receive after paying top-ups. Nothing wrong with 400 quid a month for the rest of your life

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    Getting it set up will take some time, around 5 months in total but it is well worth the peace of mind. Started doing mine last year and I barely notice the money going out. I'm paying class 2 back, I have no idea why, that's just what the letter came back stating.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    Update: Well, just 3 weeks after requesting my NI # reminder, it arrived in the post and I was able to register an account on the government website.

    That website informs me that I've paid in for 10 years, (as was verbally informed to me before), and will receive just 401.12 GBP a month when I retire in 5 years. But by making voluntary NI contributions, I can increase this to 559 GBP/month.

    However, my record of years where I can top up quote the top up rate as class 3.

    Does anyone know the procedure/tricks to get this changed to the cheaper class 2 contributions?

    just checked mine and I have 21 years of contributions which will get me 108.69 a week , would also love to know how you can pay just 12 quid a month instead of 16.65 a week !! (761.80 for the year) to catch up ?

    Also what's very annoying is I have a lot of years where I had some payments but not the full year and now cannot top them up. This was due to being self employed in the Thatcher years where hiring people as self employed was basically used by all and sundry small businesses in the construction industry as a way of cutting down their costs. I only ever worked for 2 people/businesses and never at the same time.
    Last edited by parryhandy; 07-02-2020 at 08:54 AM.
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  25. #25
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    On completing all the forms I was told I can make the cheaper Class 2 contributions.
    Eligibility for Class 2 or Class 3 is given at this HMRC webpage.


    Voluntary National Insurance: Eligibility - GOV.UK

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