National insurance, when is a year full?

dave23

When does a year become full? Do you have to work the entire tax year or does there come a point where you have paid enough NI for it count as a full year?

I only need two more years including this one to qualify for the full SP but I am about to be made redundant and as I am 59 my chance of getting another full time job look bleak so I might just retire. I know I can pay voluntary class 3 NI if needed but is this year already full?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

There is a point when you can have paid sufficient NI for it to qualify as a full year.

You can also pay voluntary Class 2 NIC for one year if you wish (and are willing to complete a Self Assessment return).  Approx £600 less than Class 3.

manetti

"For a year of your working life to be a ‘qualifying year’ towards your state pension, you have to have paid (or been credited) with NI contributions on earnings equal to 52 times the weekly lower earnings limit."
(Currently £120 per week I believe)

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-7873583/How-qualifying-years-state-pension-worked-out.html

dave23

Thanks for that link manetti, so it looks like you get a full year after you have earned £6136. That would mean this year is full and if I could find a part time job next tax year I would only need to earn £6136 to fill that final year as well

jamesd

There's also a cap at the upper limit that means it takes a minimum of two months.