Just left work, any point in registering for employment

peat

I have just left work age 63, I do not intend to work any more, I have in excess of 30 years NI contributions, is there any point in me registering for employment?

Linton

The idea is that you register as unemployed if you have an intention of seeking work. I am sure you will be hassled to ensure you are seriously looking. So no, it's not appropriate to register. You should regard yourself as "retired". Will you reach your state pension age before or after April 5th 2016? If after, you will need 35 years NI for a full higher value pension.

Welcome to the wonderful world of retirement!

CLAPTON

peat wrote: »

I have just left work age 63, I do not intend to work any more, I have in excess of 30 years NI contributions, is there any point in me registering for employment?

if you don't have 35 years of NI contributions then you may not qualify for the maximum state pension


so you may wish to clarify what exactly your NI contribution history actually is and if a shortfall what you can do about it


maybe try citizens advice




quote from their website

Under pension age

You have to pay national insurance contributions while you are working and under pension age, if you earn more than a certain amount called the primary threshold. You do not pay them if you are under 16, and you stop paying them when you reach state pension age. If you are self-employed, you may have to pay some Class 4 contributions after state pension age, depending on your earnings.
You may be able to carry on getting national insurance credits if you are a man who:

• isn't working
• is under 65, but
• has reached or is over the state pension age of a woman who has the same date of birth as you.

For more information about state pension age, see Benefits for older people.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/life/benefits/national_insurance_contributions_and_benefits.htm

System

"a woman who has the same date of birth as you."

It makes it sound like a dating agency for older people.
I wonder who she is? Has she got a good pension?

SailorSam

Check are you entitled to Pension Credit.
I'm 61 and from June/July 2016 i'll be entitled.

johnaka

yes you need to register whether you seeking work or not.
unless you are paying your own NI.
you don't have to claim unemployment benefit but why not.
you've paid into it so I would claim.
don't take any notice of any one who disagree.
you ARE entitled to it just the same as any one else.
you will only get paid for 6 months anyway.
you'll be very lucky to get a job anyway at your age.
I was 59 when I took my redundancy ,I was either to old or over qualified.I just couldn't win no matter what I did so I went self employed and never looked back.
I'm 63 too.
as far as NI goes you still need to pay but if you earn less a certain amount each month this can be paid on your behalf.you need to check this out.
I did have all the details but since going self employed I throw the papers away.

atush

Find yourself some part time work, or a sort of self employment (dog walker? House sitter?) so you can pay self employed Nics- they are less than 3 quid a week. Doesn't mean you have to work much at all to be SE.

Basically, you need 5 years more nics unless you are getting your state pension before april 2016.

jamesd

peat wrote: »

I have in excess of 30 years NI contributions

You will probably have a state pension entitlement above the maximum flat rate pension. To find out, get a state pension statement. When the flat rate comes in each person gets a foundation amount calculated that is the higher of their entitlement under the old and new rules. They keep the higher one. You would qualify for the full basic state pension and assuming not in contracted out pension schemes would probably also have enough additional state pension to get above the flat rate. It's impossible to be sure without you actually getting the statement.

Once you have the statement and again once you have your foundation amount it will be possible to estimate then know whether there is any benefit to you in paying more NI.

Use caution when advised that you don't have 35 years to you won't get the full flat rate. For you, the foundation amount and old rules calculation is most important and could make that completely wrong.

johnaka

even if you do have 35 years or more ,you still need to pay it.
the only time you stop paying is when you get state pension.
this is what I was told at job centre when I told them I was signing off since I was not getting paid and I certainly wasn't going to any more seminars. but they ni has to be paid due to NHS treatment and the rest.

CLAPTON

johnaka wrote: »

even if you do have 35 years or more ,you still need to pay it.
the only time you stop paying is when you get state pension.
this is what I was told at job centre when I told them I was signing off since I was not getting paid and I certainly wasn't going to any more seminars. but they ni has to be paid due to NHS treatment and the rest.

incorrect
one only pays NI is one has an earned income

Colin_Hunt

peat wrote: »

I have just left work age 63, I do not intend to work any more, I have in excess of 30 years NI contributions, is there any point in me registering for employment?

Have you a pension in payment, or are you living off savings(like me) ?
Check with HMRC to see what your contribution record is, and if short of 35 years, start jobsearching, but consider waiting until April 6th as JSA is taxable, not much point claiming £72 quid and jump through hoops only to pay tax on the pitiful sum.