Small earning exception for NI

katebl

Hi all, wondering if someone could help please. For the past couple of years my Mum has been in receipt of the certificate for the small earnings exemption for NI contributions. The letter has come through to renew but this time I have realised I think this then means the years don't count towards her future pension - is that correct?

She is approaching her late 50's and I have previously applied for the pension forecast before for her but never received it. My concern is she will end up short on her NI contributions when for the sake of £2-odd a week I would rather pay it for her!

nomunnofun

You are correct. Has your mother considered voluntary contributions?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/students/wf27_3.htm

(Ignore the fact that the word 'students' appears in the link)

katebl

Thankyou - I have just tried again to get a forecast sent to her, and if there is a shortfall in qualifying years then I will definitely look into the voluntary payment. I don't know why that didn't occur to me sooner to be honest, I never considered the impact it may have on her in later life!

Savvy_Sue

While you wait for the forecast to come, until how recently was she in receipt of Child Benefit / how many years of that did she get?

That comes with Home Responsibilities Protection, ie there's some provision made towards state pension.

Once she stopped getting Child Benefit, was she getting any other benefits like Carer's Allowance? I believe this also confers HRP.

The pension forecast is needed, but don't feel that if she's never worked for an employer she won't have any contributions, IYSWIM.