Paid 42 years National Insurance. Can I get any back?

clemmatis

Ageing_Stick_Insect wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies. It did sound too good to be true. I do consider myself to be fortunate to have worked all my adult life but I've paid far more into the system than I'll get out old-age pension not withstanding. At least I qualify (by a month) for the higher £140pw.

As other posters have said, NI isn't just for state pensions.
It also pays towards the NHS, unemployment benefits, and disability benefits. People who've been fortunate enough to use the NHS rarely, to be employed continuously, and not to be disabled can't ask for a refund, and partners of people who.die young can't ask that the payments be added to their estate.

Ageing_Stick_Insect

clemmatis wrote: »

As other posters have said, NI isn't just for state pensions.
It also pays towards the NHS, unemployment benefits, and disability benefits. People who've been fortunate enough to use the NHS rarely, to be employed continuously, and not to be disabled can't ask for a refund, and partners of people who.die young can't ask that the payments be added to their estate.

I appreciate there are winners and losers in the system. I don't need to elaborate on that. I'm just grateful I've been able to work all my life and have enjoyed good health. Who knows what the future brings?

clemmatis

Ageing_Stick_Insect wrote: »

I appreciate there are winners and losers in the system. I don't need to elaborate on that. I'm just grateful I've been able to work all my life and have enjoyed good health. Who knows what the future brings?

Who knows, indeed. I expected to work full-time till I was 65. I was really pretty healthy and strong. Instead, I had to take disability early retirement, funded by an occupational pension. If I hadn't had the pension I imagine I'd have had to try to get IB or JSA. As it was, my bank manager suggested I take a year off before looking for a job -- the terms of my pension allow some work -- so I didn't even sign on.

And then, my mother was injured and I became her carer... .

Anyway. There really are good reasons why you can't claim anything back any more than I could have claimed some.money back if I hadn't retired early.

I'm sorry you were misled.

custardy

Ageing_Stick_Insect wrote: »

I appreciate there are winners and losers in the system. I don't need to elaborate on that. I'm just grateful I've been able to work all my life and have enjoyed good health. Who knows what the future brings?

and if you live to 100,theres 35 years of pension payout
balls in your court

Ageing_Stick_Insect

clemmatis wrote: »

Who knows, indeed. I expected to work full-time till I was 65. I was really pretty healthy and strong. Instead, I had to take disability early retirement, funded by an occupational pension. If I hadn't had the pension I imagine I'd have had to try to get IB or JSA. As it was, my bank manager suggested I take a year off before looking for a job -- the terms of my pension allow some work -- so I didn't even sign on.

And then, my mother was injured and I became her carer... .

Sunds like you've had a rough time. When I think I'm having it hard I think of the many whi are having a worse time and count my blessings.

Anyway. There really are good reasons why you can't claim anything back any more than I could have claimed some.money back if I hadn't retired early.

I'm sorry you were misled.

It's not called Insurance for nothing. The many who never need to claim subsidise the few who need help. I have no problem with that. And as the old saying goes..."if something sounds too good to be true it generally is".

Ageing_Stick_Insect

custardy wrote: »

and if you live to 100,theres 35 years of pension payout
balls in your court

:rotfl:I should be so lucky. I'm not sure I want to live any longer than I am able to look after myself. There has to be a quality of life - not just longevity for the sake of it.

I have every intention of keeping the Grip Reaper at bay for as long as possible!

Steve059

Don't you still need to pay NI contributions until your state pension date, to be eligible for those other contribution-based state benefits, should you need them?

missapril75

Ageing_Stick_Insect wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies. It did sound too good to be true.

Well done for taking it that way.

clemmatis wrote: »

As other posters have said, NI isn't just for state pensions.
It also pays towards the NHS, unemployment benefits, and disability benefits. People who've been fortunate enough to use the NHS rarely, to be employed continuously, and not to be disabled can't ask for a refund

It's always been a mystery to me why so many talk about getting their money back when the main idea (pensions excluded) is to be bailed out in the unfortunate situation of needing it.

Nobody ever contacts their insurers to claim a refund of premiums because they didn't have their house burn down or crash their car.

Ageing_Stick_Insect wrote: »

It's not called Insurance for nothing.

Exactly.

Ageing_Stick_Insect

Steve059 wrote: »

Don't you still need to pay some NI contribution until your state pension date, to be eligible for those other state benefits, should you need them?

Doesn't 42 years of contributions qualify you for everything you may need? If not, then we're all doomed!

Not sure what benefits you're talking about but with the lump sum I will have plus savings I doubt I will qualify for anything other than the state pension, winter fuel allowance and maybe a bus pass!

HB58

Contributary benefits, such as JSA and ESA, are based on how many NI contributions have been made in the past 2 full tax years, they take no account of how many years contributions you have made before that.