Gap in National Insurance contributions

wallacewilliams

Hello,

Just received a letter saying I have a gap in my National Insurance Contributions in 2009-10. I was a student during this time. They have suggested that I could pay £554.30 to make up the shortfall.

I am 39 years old and I have I have 17 qualifying years of NICs that count towards my pension (I've was a full time student for 12 years!). I need 30 qualifying years to receive a full basic state pension and the state retirement age is 67 so I have 27 years to get the additional 13 years needed. Some bereavement benefits require 44 qualifying years, so I have 27 years to get the additional 27 years that would be required for this as well.

It seems like a no-brainer.

My partner works full time and pays into a teachers pension, and we also have life insurance and income protection insurance. We also pay a little into a stakeholder pension each month.

Am I right in thinking that there are better things I could spend my £554.30 on?

Many thanks in advance,
WW

HappyMJ

I'd save your money. You have 27 years to get 13 years of contributions.

lilibet1

Hi

This thread has got me thinking! I have been a full time mum for 16 years ( im 39) am i right in saying that my NI contributions are paid beause i have a child? And is that until he leaves full time ed?? I may have got this wrong so please correct me.

Many thanks

And yes I could think of some nice things to spend 500 pounds on he he x

wallacewilliams

If you call 0845 3000168 the Pension Service will ask you a few questions and send you out a Pensions Forecast which should help answer your question.

WW

[Deleted User]

lilibet1 wrote: »

Hi

This thread has got me thinking! I have been a full time mum for 16 years ( im 39) am i right in saying that my NI contributions are paid beause i have a child? And is that until he leaves full time ed?? I may have got this wrong so please correct me.

Many thanks

And yes I could think of some nice things to spend 500 pounds on he he x

for the years you claimed CB then you got n.i. paid,although there have been many cases where this was overlooked

Oldernotwiser

The government are planning to introduce a flat rate pension which won't be based on contributions so I'd save the money.

lilibet1

thanks everyone

x

embob74

I got a similar letter regarding the tax year 2007-08 which I chose to ignore then received a demand letter which gave me no choice but to pay :-(

boo_boo_bear_2

This couldn't have been the same type of letter as these letters are for voluntary contributions. and would never have a follow up demand.