National Insurance Credits

bll78

I'm hoping someone can help. I have suddenly realised I think I'm not paying NI, and because I don't qualify for means tested benefits am not paying NI that way either. This is the situation:-

I get an occupational pension (I believe this is not NI'ed but advice welcome)

I have been working in limited hours since September but don't earn enough for NI to be deducted.

I cannot get WTC because of the Occupational pension and because before September I was earning more. I did pay NI before this date.

I do get DLA at higher rates and believe would be eligible for ESA (although I know their criteria can make that a guessing game) the reason I don't get it is because of my income, although if I stopped work I would get some ESA.

My problem is I've suddenly realised although I'm trying to work I fall through the gap when it comes to NI contributions because I get too much for means tested benefits but not enough is earnings for NI. Is there anyway I can get it paid without giving up work and going on ESA? It is an issue because I'm only in my 30's so if I manage to keep working like this for the next 30 years or so I'll stuff up my state pension
:beer:

chrisbur

What are your earnings? There is a band of earnings on which no NI is paid but you are treated as having paid it.

bll78

My monthly income is £589, totaling £7072 per year. Obviously this year it was more as I was working more hours before September, although I'm not sure of the exact amount as I had some sickness before I eventually left.

Poppie68

ESA is paid to people who are not well enough to work..(though there is permitted work) depending on how much your occupational pension is you might not recieve any money anyway...not too sure if there is an underlying entitlment though...i'm sure one of the others will be along soon who will know.

bll78

If it helps I could get ESA if I didn't work as the pension would not be too much on it's own to stop the entitlement it's in combination with the wage that causes the issue.
As for the well enough to work eligibility bit, I have been repeatedly told am I not fit for work and was paid out my pension based upon an assessment on this. I am only lucky enough to be able to manage it now because I have a VERY supportive employer who is pro-disabled workers. He brings staff to my house and holds meetings with me in my front room when needed, as well as accepting my hours are totally controlled by me and I do most of my work in bed on my laptop, and that I may be off sick a lot. I am further impacted by being at hospital at least once a week (8 consultants at 6 different hospitals some are hundreds of miles away), weekly physio, and an hour or so of medical therapy assisted by my carer daily. As well as the ad hoc visits from continence, social workers, occupational Therapists, Neuro Rehab nurses etc.. So I'd hope that with this and my recent indefinite DLA award they'd put me in the support group of ESA, if this job dried up as I'd never get anyone else as understanding to employ me, but I know others have had a terrible time with ESA!

chrisbur

bll78 wrote: »

My monthly income is £589, totaling £7072 per year. Obviously this year it was more as I was working more hours before September, although I'm not sure of the exact amount as I had some sickness before I eventually left.

Earnings of between £481 (lower earnings limit)and £663 (earnings threshold)per month count as if you had paid national insurance though you do not actually start paying until you earn over £663. These are figures for 2014/2015 they are a little lower at the moment so on £589 a month you are well over the lower earnings limit and so are treated as having paid national insurance,

bll78

chrisbur wrote: »

Earnings of between £481 (lower earnings limit)and £663 (earnings threshold)per month count as if you had paid national insurance though you do not actually start paying until you earn over £663. These are figures for 2014/2015 they are a little lower at the moment so on £589 a month you are well over the lower earnings limit and so are treated as having paid national insurance,

That's fantastic is it automatic or do I need to do something to make sure it happens?
Thank you

chrisbur

bll78 wrote: »

That's fantastic is it automatic or do I need to do something to make sure it happens?
Thank you

Just to clarify one point when you say your income is £589 is this all earnings from your job as only they count for NI purposes. Just had a thought that you might be including your pension in this figure.
Assuming it is all earnings then you do not need to do anything your employer will be reporting these details to HMRC. You will see the details on your P60. This will show a column for earnings at the lower earnings limit and another for earnings between the lower earnings limit and the earnings threshold. There are some more columns but they will not have any entries on your level of earnings.

bll78

It's just my earnings. Thanks again for your help

woozywendy

You can register and get a pension forecast from the government :-)
https://secure.thepensionservice.gov.uk/statepensionforecast/

whodathunkit

The OP is only in his 30s - nobody knows what the situation regarding pensions might be in 30 years time.