For all Service Personnel and Civil Servants. This was posted in one of the forces groups yesterday. Please read as it might affect you. 

'Today, I contacted the Royal British Legion re the recent changes to our National Insurance contributions. I was told, co-incidentally, that the guy I spoke to had received an identical call from an ex-Navy guy earlier today. I was also told that the information would be passed to the Campaign Team, but what they'll do about it wasn't clear.

So, if you're not sure what I'm talking about, here's the deal . .

From last April, changes to the NI rules, mean that the NI contributions we paid via our wages, for the duration of our service, are now classed as 'opted-out' payments. As a result, we are not entitled to a full state pension, at pensionable age.

I will lose £25 per week and, my friend who served 40 yrs non-commissioned/commissioned loses £50pw.

When I went onto the DWP website, it stated that I had 38 qualifying years. What the site did not say was that, as of April 2016, 16 of those qualifying years (my service) are now classed as 'opted-out' due to the fact that we (allegedly) paid a lower rate of NI.

This also affects Civil Servants - a double whammy for some of you.

It is possible to back-pay some NI contributions, but you're only allowed to do so for a certain number of years. It's too late for me to make up the contributions that, in my case, are 'opted-out' (77-93).

If you're already claiming your state pension, this will not affect you.

It's clear that this new rule has not been widely advertised and I hope that the RBL pick it up and campaign to get that underhand decision reversed.

Please share this information with all the serving and ex-serving people you know or, indeed, raise the issue with your MP.'