National Insurance

Steve_PS

Having just started a new job abroad, as part of the financial induction process I was told that if you have paid 30 years of NI contributions you can apply to stop paying any further. I have searched the internet but found only one reference to this in the Independent website stating that the rules for NI will change in 2010 when only 30 years of contributions will be required for a full state pension. Can anyone throw any more light onto this subject?

CIS

You can't stop paying NI if you have a liability to pay until you reach state pension age - even if you have accrued a full pension. If through working abroad you have no UK NI liability then you will not accrue any further pension rights unless you pay voluntary contributions.

In 2010 any person who retires after 06 April will require only 30 yrs for a full basic state pension but would still be required to pay an NI due even once they have accrued the full 30 yrs for a basic pension.

IIRC the additional pension will still require approx 44 years of NI conts to accrue the maximum.