2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Samantha Leathers, Amy Britton)
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More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice A considerable number of people made voluntary National Insurance contributions before the April 5 deadline to boost their state pension . However, many are now left in limbo waiting to reap the promised benefits. The amount of state pension you receive is dictated by your National Insurance record.
If there are gaps in this record, you can voluntarily buy National Insurance contributions to fill these gaps and enhance your state pension forecast. Until April 5, this was for any gaps in your record between 2006 and April 2019. Those who managed to make their contributions just prior to the deadline may not have seen a change yet, even if they're already receiving state pension.
This is due to the fact that the process to upgrade your state pension through voluntary National Insurance involves two separate departments. The process starts with HMRC, who need to update your National Insurance record. Once this is completed, it moves to the DWP who recalculates your state pension forecast, reports the Express .
Only then is it confirmed and your state pension payments updated. BBC's Money Box heard from one listener who submitted her contributions in December. While her record was swiftly updated by HMRC, she had to wait more than 11 weeks for her state pension payments to be updated by the DWP.
HMRC informed the programme that some cases could require up to eight weeks to update, depending on the payment method and the complexity of each case. Sir Steve Webb has commented that although delays can be frustrating, those affected will not suffer financially as a result. He explained that the government will backdate payments based on when your claim was initially logged in their system, rather than when they finish processing and recalculating what you are owed.
The former pensions minister noted that this complex process has been in place for many years. He said: "It's different departments with different ministers and this is how it's been for decades." Additionally, he emphasised that the DWP and Pension Service only deal with these matters after HMRC has updated an individual's National Insurance record.
Therefore, if your record hasn't been amended, Sir Steve suggests contacting HMRC. If it has, then the DWP should be your next call, advising: "Sometimes people are chasing the wrong end of the system." Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.
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