Voluntary NI Contributions:

The following was printed in an issue of EON’s pensioners magazine:

“Thousands of people who have been paying voluntary national insurance (NI) contributions to make up shortfalls in their record will be able to claim a refund after a government u-turn.

A reduction in the number of qualifying years needed to receive a full basic state pension to 30 for men born on or after 6th April 1945 and for women born on or after 6th April 1950, means some people have wasted hundreds of pounds by paying more than they needed.

The government has now said that any voluntary contributions made since 25th May 2006, may be refunded, this being the date when it published its proposals to reduce the number of qualifying years.

The refund will not be automatic so you will need to ring the NI office on 0845 915 5996 if you think you qualify.”