NI Contributions query

50Twuncle

Do "voluntary" class 3 NI Contributions count as earned credits do - ie) Entitle you to benefits ?

If so - which benefits are positively affected ?

Before anyone says "wrong forum" - this is an ill health pension related question

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/what-national-insurance-is-for

https://www.which.co.uk/money/tax/national-insurance/national-insurance-and-benefits-ac0lg0d8m4uw

Brynsam

Still the wrong forum - it is a benefit query with a knock on effect on an ill health pension - but hopefully this link will do the trick: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/National-insurance-contributions-(NIC)/What-are-national-insurance-contributions-(NIC)

molerat

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/what-national-insurance-is-for

The only benefit entitlement gained from class 3 is the state pension.

50Twuncle

OK The problem is that I am on an ill health pension (s) having been medically retired from a low paid part time job

I have "savings" but have not paid any NI contributions for 10 years - I am 10 years away from state pension age and am 7 years short on NI contributions for a full state pension

I could purchase 7 years worth - but this would cost me over £5,500 -  and whilst this is still good value - if I can avoid this, I will

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

But not "ill health retirees" - NOT claiming benefits ??

I looked in to NI ONLY CLAIMS, last year and gave up - because part of the agreement was that I had to agree to attend work assessment meetings with a work coach (but I had a job anyway) and had to be prepared to work more hours  “expected hours and work availability requirement" and my pension now prohibits me from earning any income from paid employment anyway...

eskbanker

50Twuncle said:

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

It doesn't say that it entitles you to credits, it says that if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits, then you can pay voluntary NI contributions, and that if you do so then they'd be class 3 ones.

Eligibility for credits is covered at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

maisie_cat

Can you not start a small business and pay voluntary class 2 if you fall below the limit? My glorified hobby/micro business allows me to do that

50Twuncle

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

It doesn't say that it entitles you to credits, it says that if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits, then you can pay voluntary NI contributions, and that if you do so then they'd be class 3 ones.

Eligibility for credits is covered at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

You can get credits if you cannot pay National Insurance contributions, for example, if:

• you’re unable to work due to illness
• you’re caring for someone

So for "get credits" - it means "buy credits" ?

Surely - anyone is entitled to "buy" credits though ?

eskbanker

50Twuncle said:

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

It doesn't say that it entitles you to credits, it says that if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits, then you can pay voluntary NI contributions, and that if you do so then they'd be class 3 ones.

Eligibility for credits is covered at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

You can get credits if you cannot pay National Insurance contributions, for example, if:

• you’re unable to work due to illness
• you’re caring for someone

So for "get credits" - it means "buy credits" ?

Surely - anyone is entitled to "buy" credits though ?

You're conflating two different things - there are indeed ways of being credited without making voluntary contributions, and these are explained in the link I included in my post.

The page you linked to and quoted was all about the separate issue of making voluntary contributions.

50Twuncle

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

It doesn't say that it entitles you to credits, it says that if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits, then you can pay voluntary NI contributions, and that if you do so then they'd be class 3 ones.

Eligibility for credits is covered at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

You can get credits if you cannot pay National Insurance contributions, for example, if:

• you’re unable to work due to illness
• you’re caring for someone

So for "get credits" - it means "buy credits" ?

Surely - anyone is entitled to "buy" credits though ?

You're conflating two different things - there are indeed ways of being credited without making voluntary contributions, and these are explained in the link I included in my post.

The page you linked to and quoted was all about the separate issue of making voluntary contributions.

You mean "You’re not on Employment and Support Allowance but you satisfy the conditions for it" ?

I tried that one last year - I went to the Job Centre - but they wanted me to sign on to "be available for work" / attending any work coach meetings etc ?

But, at the time - I had a job that was perfect for me - working 10 hrs per week and the most that I could cope with - why should I be forced to do more hours and a different job - I am now medically retired and unable to work so how does this go ?

Contribution based ESA is out - no recent NI contributions

Income based ESA is out - too high savings

50Twuncle

If successful - this would give me class 1 NI Credits which would then open the door to other benefits (Contribution based ESA) - which - in turn would pay my NI Contributions - so it's effectively a vicious circle that I am trying to break in to...........