NI Contributions to enhance state pension

Jackie_Mellor

Hi, My husband has recently been retired due to ill health at 53 after having a major stroke 3 years ago. His work contract was terminated. Does anyone have any idea how the system works regarding NI contributions? He is no longer earning and will get a small pension plus his PIP.
We'd like to ensure he gets the maximum state pension at 67 and have no idea if we need to continue to pay NI contributions for this to happen and if so who do we contact?

Any advice would be really appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Does he not claim ESA? that would get him N.I cont
You can buy missing years I think going back upto 5 years at around £650 per year.

molerat

First thing to do is get a state pension forecast https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension. He could already be at the maximum.

pmlindyloo

Do you work full time or have savings over £16000?

There are two types of ESA - contribution based (or new style ESA if in a full Universal Credit area) and income based ESA.

Even if he is not entitled to either of these then he can still claim and be awarded a NI credits only claim. These would go towards his state pension. You would need to contact the job centre to ask for a NI credits claim only if you are not entitled to contribution based ESA or income based ESA.

Read this link:

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-4706758/I-need-claim-state-pension-credits-disabled-husband.html

But please check whether he already has sufficient NI contributions and whether he can pay towards missing years and then make class 3 voluntary payments.

Use this link:

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions

If he makes a NI credits only claim for ESA he would still need to be assessed for whether he is fit for work or not, as any ESA claimant would do, so if you can afford to pay for any missing years and then make voluntary payments this may be the better and less stressful option.