Can I finally come in from the cold?
Credit: Guzelian
From Bosnia and Sierra Leone to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, Andy Dixon has spent his career in conflict zones around the world. For the past three years the 59-year-old former British Army captain has been in West Africa, working on aircraft logistics as a contractor for an undisclosed American government agency.
This year he has returned home to Wakefield, West Yorkshire. “I’ve been working away from my wife and my 12-year-old daughter for a long time now. Being away from my family during the pandemic made me realise where I really wanted to be. It is time for me to hang up my hat and come in from the cold,” he said.
| UPDATED: 09:07, Thu, Feb 18, 2021
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State pension income is dependent on NI records and ahead of retiring, people can check on their NI record to see if they have any gaps. Where these gaps exist, people may be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill them.
State pension warning as error could leave Britons with £50,000 less than expected Rebekah Evans
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State Pension payments are overseen by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and given to Britons of an eligible age who have built up National Insurance contributions throughout their lifetime. It is important to note, however, the Government states a person may receive less than the full new state pension if they were contracted out before April 6, 2016. While state pension payments are clearly very important to many, a simple mistake could mean they are left with less for retirement.
Research from consumer website Which? showed a significant number of Britons are currently overestimating the amount they are set to receive from the state pension.
| UPDATED: 08:03, Wed, Jan 6, 2021
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State pension eligibility requires at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions to receive any payment in retirement. To receive the full amount of £175.20 per week, at least 35 years will be needed.
Voluntary National Insurance payments can usually cover gaps in a record over the previous six years.
Where a person is eligible to pay voluntary National Insurance, there will be a wide range of variables as the following details and contexts explain:
Employed but earning under £120 a week and not eligible for National Insurance credits - class three
Self-employed with profits under £6,475 - Class two or Class three, with each counting towards different benefits
Both employed and self-employed, with low earnings and small profits - HMRC will need to be contacted for guidance
Self-employed as an examiner, minister of religion or in an investment or land and property business -Class two or Class three, with each counting towards different benefits