national insurance contributions

TerryK_2

Can you clarify for me the position on N.I. contributions ?
I am over 60 years of age,have a home in France, but am back working in the UK fo a 6 month (at least) which totals 189 days.
The 2 tests for residency sem to be 1) Main residence/home
2) Time spent in the UK i.e over 185 days"

If I am classed as a UK resident ,will I have to pay N.I. conts as I thought that UK male residents had 5 years free of contributions to" equal up ",.
the retirement age?
If I am a French resident why do I need to pay NI conts as the retirement age in France is 60 ?
Also as my retirement age is 2013 and I already have 39 Qualifying years I have a full pension?
Am a bit confused?

lorweld

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LittleVoice

If you are male, under 65, and earning a salary in the UK, you pay NI contributions (if you earn enough).

The fact that you have already paid enough contributions to not "need" to make further contributions to get a full pension does not mean you aren't liable to make further payments. NI covers more than pension.

EdInvestor

TerryK wrote: »

I thought that UK male residents had 5 years free of contributions to" equal up ",.the retirement age?

This only applies to non working men who would otherwise have to make voluntary conts.

If I am a French resident why do I need to pay NI conts as the retirement age in France is 60 ?

You normally have to pay tax and NI on UK sourced income.NI ceases on pension age, currently 60 for women, and 65 for men.

Also as my retirement age is 2013 and I already have 39 Qualifying years I have a full pension?

Again this only applies to people who would otherwise pay voluntary conts.

Steve_xx

Currently, men need 44 years and women need 39 years worth of NI contributions in order to get their state pension.

From 2010 both men and women will need to have just 30 years worth of contributions.

Therefore, you probably don't need to make any more contributions of you're not working and your retirement date isn't due until 2010.

My friend who is 51, and is not working and does not sign-on, has 36 years worth of contributions. Not enough for a state pension as things stand today. But, come 2010 he will have more than enough NI contributions enough due to the new rulings that come into effect then. He wont reach age 65 until 2023 you see.

chesky369

The key phrase there is ... not working ...
If you're working, you pay NI contributions however many you have already, if you're under 60 female, 65 male.

Steve_xx

chesky369 wrote: »

The key phrase there is ... not working ...
If you're working, you pay NI contributions however many you have already, if you're under 60 female, 65 male.

Yes, as you say, so long as you continue to work, you will have to pay NI contributions. Regardless how how many years worth you already have.

My friend didn't like the signing on process. He felt like a second rate citizen when he had to sign on and it upset him every time he had to go there. He did not get unemployment benefit since after the first six months it is means tested and he has his own means. He learned that he was signing on simply to get his NI contributions paid. Then he learned about the 39 & 44 year rule and the impending 30 year rule and decided that he didn't need to sign-on anymore and could well do without the upset of it. He had to do a lot of research as the jobcentre staff couldn't advise him even though they work for the DWP.