NI Class 2 - should I continue to pay?

Make-it-3

I was self-employed before going off on maternity leave. While receiving my Maternity Allowance my class 2 NI payments were covered by the Government, but now that has finished they have started collecting them again.

However, I'm not yet working again and still exploring my options in terms of self-employment or taking a part-time employed job (and I may not be lucky in getting either in current climate).

Should I continue to pay my NI anyway? I understand that I am getting credits towards my State Pension because I receive Child Benefit. So is there any point in continuing to pay while I am not working?

pjclar02

Hello there

No need to pay class 2 NICs, as you will get state pension credits anyway through claiming child benefit.

zygurat789

You have to pay class 2 if you are self employed and your arnings for the year are greater than £5315

Murdina

It sounds like you are no longer holding yourself out for self-employed work. You should notify HMRC that your self-employment has ceased and then tell them when it starts again.

Make-it-3

Murdina - that sounds sensible and if my pension credit is being covered anyway there doesn't seem like any gain from continuing to pay while I'm not working.

Is de-registering for self-employment relatively easy?