Paying hardly any NI- Is it going to cause me a problem?

Bexm

Hi

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum but I'm hoping someone can advise as I'm confused!

My work situation is about to change and I may be having 2 part time jobs.
The salary in one job will not be enough for any NI contributions and the other only £4 a month and paying no tax at all. (my pension I am also sorting separately)

I have never paid this little NI and I am wondering is this going to cause me a problem in the future?

Thanks

Bex

sammyjammy

From a state pension point of view it will make no difference how much you are actually paying in NI as long as you are (or are treated as) paying NI.


It would potentially affect your entitlement to Contributory based benefits such as New style JSA/ESA.


The benefits are the savings you make in paying Ni because your earnings are across two jobs instead of 1, gives you more flexibility and chance to pay more into any other pensions you have.

Bexm

Thanks for your reply.
Is there any way if finding out if it will definitely affect It?

sazaccount

Bexm wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.
Is there any way if finding out if it will definitely affect It?

You can check your NI contribution for your pension years here: https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record and if you have not enough paid to be classed as a "year" you can see how much it will be to "top it up"

sammyjammy

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/jobseekers-allowance

this link tells you the earnings threshold for jsa

zagfles

It's nothing to do with what you pay. You need to earn above the LEL (£118 a week, or monthly equivalent) in a single job to get NI credits for stuff like the state pension JSA etc. We've just had a couple of similar similar discussions on the pensions board:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6057854/my-ni-record-is-very-confusing
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6057459/a-couple-of-questions-on-my-wifes-national-insurance-record-and-ongoing-ni-contributions

Bexm

I have been doing some more research now...

So.. As I will be earning above the LEL per week in one of the two jobs and am paying NI contributions I should be OK for JSA or ESA should I need it? I read somewhere I need to have a certain number of weeks earning the LEL to qualify for them.
Or does the actual amount count too? (I will only be paying around £4 a month)

I went to the job center to try and get advice but they were pretty useless!