Day 34: Moraira (Morning Rain)

Rain in the morning, which presented an opportunity to sort out some personal finances. In particular, my future state pension. I was under the impression that to qualify for the full state pension it is necessary to have paid sufficient N.I. contributions for a minimum of 35 years. I currently only have 34 years! However, it is possible to make payments to the Government to make up any shortfalls.

To complicate matters, it transpires that new restrictions to top-up qualify years will apply from the 6th April 2025. Accordingly, having just become aware of this change, I thought it prudent to sort it out whilst it was fresh on my mind - if I don't do it now, I'm likely to quickly forget and, then when I do remember, it will be beyond 5th April and too late!

Having checked my contributions, it transpires I have one qualify year of work where I've made some N.I. contributions and could make a reduced voluntary payment to make it a state pension qualify year, thus entitling me to a full state pension when I reach 67. At least so I thought!

The Government website states that it is possible to make top-up payments directly from the pension website. Except, as I discovered, it does not apply to everyone! Instead, I was instructed to phone a Govanment pensions advisor - who turned out to be Julie! She informed me that I did not need to make the payment because I started making payments before the latest scheme was introduced. For clarity, I asked if that meant that even though I only had 34 qualifying years I'd still get the full pension, currently equivalent to about £221 a week. She confirmed that yes I'd get the full pension.

So, although the wait was about 35 minutes (phoning from Spain!) before my call was answered, I was very pleased to hear that I'd get the full state pension without needing to make "voluntary" top-up payments. A result! Also, perhaps good news for others of a similar age as myself: a sprightly young 60 year old!!

After lunch, the sun came out, which gave me the opportunity to do some bike maintenance. However, before the fettling could commence, I moved the van away from the puddle at the back of the van!

It turned out be a rather productive day!

• Distance driven: 0
• Distance cycled: 0
• Weather: Frequent rain showers in the morning, sunshine from about 2.30pm. More rain forecast for tomorrow!