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).