National Insurance voluntary contributions advice

squirrelchops

Hi

My OH is taking a break from work to undertake a private project. He will not be employed for the next 6 months and also not claiming jobseekers or the like as I am supporting him as my partner.

My question is should he bother paying NI voluntary contributions. Ive looked at the direct gov site and it mentions having to have contributed for 30 years to be able to claim the pension (if it is still around by the time we retire but that's another thread!!).

OH has been paying contributions for 23 years already and has many more years of being able to make NI contributions in the future.

Therefore would others bother paying the £13.25 per week for class 3 contributions for the next 6 months or write this off and not bother?

Any advice gratefully received.

squirrelchops

I have done my research now and decided it is not worth OH paying voluntary contributions for the next 6 months. He is only 7 years off having achieved 30 years of NI contributions which is the minimum you need for state pension so he will soon catch up with that when her returns to paid employment.

zagfles

Yes probably not worth it - he can always make voluntary contributions in later years if it looks like he won't make the 30.