National insurance record

noclaf

I recently setup my Government gateway account.
For my NC record, it states there were 4 years where I did not contribute enough. For context the period is 2000-2004, I was a full time student during that period though I did work part-time during summer holidays.
Would I be correct to assume that as I didn't work a full tax year in those jobs, they don't count as a full year of contributions?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Almost certainly yes.

Does it actually matter though?  

What does your forecast say (in full, not just the headline figure).

noclaf

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Almost certainly yes.

Does it actually matter though?  

What does your forecast say (in full, not just the headline figure).

Hi D&C,
Curiosity got the better of me after browsing my account for the first time. It doesn't matter now but thought it worth checking.
On a unrelated matter and as you are the resident tax guru hope you don't mind me asking; I had a tax code change yesterday and the notification has appeared in my gov gateway account. As I am PAYE and the account contains my employer name and payroll id/information will HMRC automatically inform my employer of the change?

Edit: I've just seen that the tax code will be automatically updated so answered my own question.
Also re the forecast, I have 19 'full years' and another 10 to go, to hit the magic 29 figure

macman

i used to think that students in full time education were credited as having paid their full NI contribution in those years, but my own record has a similar gap (4 years below the threshold). As D&C points out, it's irrelevant as long as you have, or will, accumulate the full quota of years before retirement.

I thought it was 30 years for the Basic Pension and 35 for the New State Pension?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

The new tax code (just the end result i.e. S787L, not the breakdown) should be sent to your employer.

But when they operate it depends on whether it is for 2020:21 or 2021:22. 

2020:21 should be best payday and 2021:22 first payday after 5 April 2021.

noclaf

macman said:

i used to think that students in full time education were credited as having paid their full NI contribution in those years, but my own record has a similar gap (4 years below the threshold). As D&C points out, it's irrelevant as long as you have, or will, accumulate the full quota of years before retirement.

I thought it was 30 years for the Basic Pension and 35 for the New State Pension?

Based on my record it appears that college or school years upto age 18 count as 'full years' but university years are counted as that's the exact period I have my gap.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

macman said:

i used to think that students in full time education were credited as having paid their full NI contribution in those years, but my own record has a similar gap (4 years below the threshold). As D&C points out, it's irrelevant as long as you have, or will, accumulate the full quota of years before retirement.

I thought it was 30 years for the Basic Pension and 35 for the New State Pension?

The op is under transitional rules so the number of years isnt really relevant.

35 years applies for those starting out on their State Pension journey from 2016.

nick74

macman said:

i used to think that students in full time education were credited as having paid their full NI contribution in those years, but my own record has a similar gap (4 years below the threshold). As D&C points out, it's irrelevant as long as you have, or will, accumulate the full quota of years before retirement.

I thought it was 30 years for the Basic Pension and 35 for the New State Pension?

It used to be the case that people were given full NI credits for the tax years which included their 16th, 17th and 18th birthdays. The rationale for this was that many people in that age group were in full time education, however there was never a direct link between being in full time education and getting the credits. Everyone of that age was credited with them automatically regardless of circumstances.

molerat

The 3 years of credits stopped for those reaching their 16th birthday after 6th April 2010.  Even immigrants received the credits when setting up an NI account even if they were not resident at the time.