New State Pension Guide

Browntoa

Thanks for the reminder , I must do this as I was also contracted out .

Seems a simple enough form to fill out online, my details , child details , mother's details and periods of care

p00hsticks

DianaSt wrote: »

I don’t believe this scheme, which was introduced in 2011, is well publicised

It is mentioned quite frequently on this particular forum if and when it might be appropriate, but any reminder is useful!

lisboa84

Just wondering, what proof does the HMRC require to show that a grandparent looks after a grandchild?

And what is the minimum number of hours per week of child caring needed to claim the credit?

molerat

lisboa84 wrote: »

Just wondering, what proof does the HMRC require to show that a grandparent looks after a grandchild?

None whatsoever, I suppose they could do checks if they really wanted to.

lisboa84 wrote: »

And what is the minimum number of hours per week of child caring needed to claim the credit?

There is no minimum specified but it is, as is NI, credited as weeks so it should be claimed as weeks I suppose in a similar way to jury duty - 1 day will get a full week credit - but is wide open to abuse. I wonder how many claim the full 52 weeks per year - do the parents not get any holidays ? We were honest and MrsM claimed the actual 39 - 41 weeks each year.

p00hsticks

molerat wrote: »

None whatsoever, I suppose they could do checks if they really wanted to.There is no minimum specified but it is, as is NI, credited as weeks so it should be claimed as weeks I suppose in a similar way to jury duty - 1 day will get a full week credit - but is wide open to abuse. I wonder how many claim the full 52 weeks per year - do the parents not get any holidays ? We were honest and MrsM claimed the actual 39 - 41 weeks each year.

This benefit is really just transferring the NI credits associated with the child benefit from a parent who is also earning those credits through employment and so doesn't need them.

If the parents are in a salaried job the chances are they are still getting paid for that job, and hence paying NI, even when on holiday. And if they're not, then it'll be their NI record that will show the shortfall if they've OK'd the transfer.

Suzannet

My Mum runs a pre-school. She is paid termly. She has earnt the minimum £6032 annually but because she doesn't earn anything in the month of August and is down in December and the Easter holidays she is not entitled to her year credit. She has to pay a top up. I feel this is not described in this write-up. It is calculate weekly and monthly NOT annually.
How many people might take 6 weeks unpaid for a long holiday not realising they will lose an entire years credit. Mum has worked part time most of her life so needs these last year's to count. She is being penalised for being paid termly. If she was paid an even monthly she would be entitled.

relishy57

Could your Mum not negotiate a monthly payment? I worked in a preschool for approx 3 years after early retirement as a teacher and got 12 monthly payments. Timesheets were done by the treasurer of the group and then the Preschool learning Alliance did the payroll, bank transfers etc.
I didn’t earn enough to pay NI only did 3 mornings per week so I will be claiming from April the Grandparents credits which I learnt about on this forum. (Thank you Molerat and others).
I will have 3 years from 2016 to pay voluntarily though. Is the best advice still to pay up for all missing years just before SP age. I notice that 2016/17 goes up from April.

50Twuncle

Suzannet wrote: »

My Mum runs a pre-school. She is paid termly. She has earnt the minimum £6032 annually but because she doesn't earn anything in the month of August and is down in December and the Easter holidays she is not entitled to her year credit. She has to pay a top up. I feel this is not described in this write-up. It is calculate weekly and monthly NOT annually.
How many people might take 6 weeks unpaid for a long holiday not realising they will lose an entire years credit. Mum has worked part time most of her life so needs these last year's to count. She is being penalised for being paid termly. If she was paid an even monthly she would be entitled.

I am in a similar position - working in a school for just 10 hours per week - my salary (around £4k is divided by 12 and I am paid the same every month - despite working only 37 weeks per year - However, my salary is not enough to pay any NI !!
I recommend that she has a word with her paying dept - but it will cost them employer NI Contributions too !

Funseeker

I was working abroad from 1990 until I moved back to UK in 2010 and since then I have been paying NIC Class 2 each year and I won't reach full state pension by my retirement year, which is coming soon. According to the state pension website, until 5 April I can still buy 3 x years before 2010 using Class 3 (voluntary contributions) at £689 each, which seems worthwhile. However, is it possible to make contributions for these pre-2010 years as Class 2 (voluntary payment of earnings while self-employed abroad), as that would be a lower cost per year to claim the years?

molerat

Funseeker wrote: »

I was working abroad from 1990 until I moved back to UK in 2010 and since then I have been paying NIC Class 2 each year and I won't reach full state pension by my retirement year, which is coming soon. According to the state pension website, until 5 April I can still buy 3 x years before 2010 using Class 3 (voluntary contributions) at £689 each, which seems worthwhile. However, is it possible to make contributions for these pre-2010 years as Class 2 (voluntary payment of earnings while self-employed abroad), as that would be a lower cost per year to claim the years?

If you were working before you left UK and were working abroad for those years then I see no reason why not. You need to contact FPC and query it with them.