Should I pay the gaps in my National Insurance contributions?

Touser

Hi,

Over the last 6 years I have been out of work in total for around 2 years, of which 1 year of this I didn't claim Job Seekers Allowance. A friend recently asked me if I planned to pay the gaps in my National Insurance contributions.

Is it worth me doing this and if 'yes' how do I go about doing it?


Thanks.

pink68

golly good question...

sorry dont have answer but am in slmilair situation and hadnt even thought of plugging the gaps. bet someone out there knows the answer though!:j

getting-sorted-sarah

It really depends whether you have other gaps, or may have other gaps in the future. If this is the only period of your working life that you don't pay conts, it is unlikely to affect you, however if there are more it may mean you get less State Pension or (if a minimum of qualifying (fully paid up) years is not met), it can mean you get no State Pension at all.

First step would be to contact Revenues and ask for a statement of your contributions including which ones you'd be allowed to pay, and then take this to the CAB to see if you can get some (proper!) advice.

bryanb

The number of years NICs for a full state pension is reducing to 30 (I think in 2010) If you will achieve 30 without filling the gaps it's not worth paying. If you decide to pay, find out the rate for Class3 Voluntary contributions, send a cheque to HMRC with a covering letter not forgetting your NI number

just_thrifty

You might find this site helpful- http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/. There's a section on guides and forms with links to the Revenue site and also lots of info about planning ahead.