Many people like myself will be greatly hacked off at having done the "right thing" and made voluntary NIC contributions, particularly when they were made at a time when we were particularly cash-strapped.
However my complaint isn't regarding that issue but I feel doubly aggrieved because a major reason for paying the contributions was based on incorrect information given to me by the advice line.
Before deciding whether to make NIC payments I requested a forecast and finding the forecast difficult to follow I subsequently spoke to the section. The main point of interest for me was that my wife had virtually no contribution record and whilst contributing in my own name seemed attractive, what was of particular interest to me was that she would receive a pension based on my own contributions when she reached 60. My wife and I are exactly the same age - I'm just a few hours older. When I called the enquiry line I gave them both our NI numbers and fully explained that it was this aspect I was enquiring about. Based on the advice that she would receive a better pension at age 60 if I made voluntary contributions to enhance my own record, I went ahead and made around 2000 worth of contributions over the years.
Recently I read on a Government Tax web site that in fact this advice appears not to be true and that she would only start receiving a pension when I start to receive mine. In other words, she wouldn't get her pension until both of us were 65. So the five extra years I was advised she would receive as a result of my contributions was incorrect.
Is there any chance of me receiving a refund on the basis of the advice line providing incorrect advice?
I have legal and tax insurance which might be my next port of call if there is any likelihood at all of success.
John