2 week period of unemployment between jobs - NIS contributions query

trust.no.1

Good Morning forum.

My situation is that my previous employment ended at the end of last month under the terms of a settlement agreement.

Now I start a new job next week. The timing means that my first salary would be paid in December's payroll and cover the two weeks worked within November.

I'm assuming this means that there will be a gap in my NIS contributions record for the month of November?

If this is the case - can I receive a credit for November by registering at my local JobCentre - but without claiming JSA?

Advice appreciated.

p00hsticks

if you get paid monthly and the two weeks salary is enough to hit the LEL then you should be OK.

emmajones1976

In any case surely this would only be an issue if you are one year short of the 35 once you finish working?

trust.no.1

p00hsticks said:

if you get paid monthly and the two weeks salary is enough to hit the LEL then you should be OK.

Yes I will be paid monthly, however due to payroll cut-off dates my first salary will be in December's payroll paid near the end of December. It will cover December's pay plus slightly over 2 weeks owed for November.  So during the month of November there will be no NIS contributions on my record.

I'm  just checking whether I need to proctively do anything or whether I'm worrying needlessly.

emmajones1976

Surely the system works on an annual basis rather than monthly. You would be fine based on the other 11 months (assuming you earn a decent amount).

trust.no.1

emmajones1976 said:

In any case surely this would only be an issue if you are one year short of the 35 once you finish working?

TBH I tried reading up on this before posting but am none the wiser. Due to my having been  "contracted out" in my previous employer's pension scheme I still need  3 more full years of NIS contributions in order to get a full state pension.

I'm checking whether a lack of NIS contributions for November will be an issue as far as my NIS record ifor this year s concerned.

trust.no.1

emmajones1976 said:

Surely the system works on an annual basis rather than monthly. You would be fine based on the other 11 months (assuming you earn a decent amount).

Ahh.,. thanks for this - I've just looked at my NIS record on gov.uk and only the total contributions for each "complete" year is listed. So yes - I agree that if the system works on an annual basis then missing a month should not be an issue provdied the total contributions for the year is higher than a certain amount. 

Glad to see that I am worrying needlessly .

Thanks to everyone who has replied.