State Pension Qualification etc

DE_612183

Whilst my wife was at home we claimed Family Allowance, which I think contributed towards her "NI Years", she was then an employee of our own company which paid a salary, so again had years contributed.

Now the company has been closed down she is no longer and employee anywhere - I've now taken a job so get a salary.

How can she carry on building up her years toward full state pension?

Thanks

lisyloo

She should get a forecast from the gov website and check how years she has.

she could go self employed e.g. sell a few things on eBay.
the other option is to voluntarily pay NI contributions.

Albermarle

Have you actually checked what her current position is ?

Check your State Pension forecast - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

p00hsticks

lisyloo said:

she could go self employed e.g. sell a few things on eBay.
the other option is to voluntarily pay NI contributions.

 These two are essentially the same - the first would still require voluntarily paying NI contributions, but they'd be the cheaper Class 2 rather than class 3 ones. 

Another option is to provide care for (e,g) young grandchildren while the parent is working - in this case the carer can claim the NI credits associated with the child benefit that the parent is entitled to but doesn't need because they are already creditted with NI through work.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-insurance-credits-for-adults-who-care-for-a-child-under-12-fact-sheet

Ther are also credits available for caring for elderly / disabled relatives on specific benefits, although be wary that claiming these  may impact on that persons benefits

https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit

sheslookinhot

lisyloo said:

She should get a forecast from the gov website and check how years she has.

she could go self employed e.g. sell a few things on eBay.
the other option is to voluntarily pay NI contributions.

I think this is easier said than done. Selling a few things on eBay is not really being self employed. I think you need to show that you are actually trading.

DE_612183

Albermarle said:

Have you actually checked what her current position is ?

Check your State Pension forecast - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

33 years fully paid.
3 years not fully paid.
And this year not available yet - which is I presume because the SA has not yet been submitted.

OldBeanz

Dave46049 said:

Albermarle said:

Have you actually checked what her current position is ?

Check your State Pension forecast - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

33 years fully paid.
3 years not fully paid.
And this year not available yet - which is I presume because the SA has not yet been submitted.

What do the pension £ numbers say? The big change to the pension system in 2016 means that "33 years" is not always 33 years.

DE_612183

OldBeanz said:

Dave46049 said:

Albermarle said:

Have you actually checked what her current position is ?

Check your State Pension forecast - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

33 years fully paid.
3 years not fully paid.
And this year not available yet - which is I presume because the SA has not yet been submitted.

What do the pension £ numbers say? The big change to the pension system in 2016 means that "33 years" is not always 33 years.

Estimate based on record up to 05/04/2021 = £173.43
Estiamte if you contribute another 3 years before 2036 - £185.15

One of the years in the NI record says she can pay a volumtary amount of £824 to "make up the short fall"

DE_612183

If she submits a Self Assessment without any income - would that still count as a year?

xylophone

If she submits a Self Assessment without any income - would that still count as a year?

Is she required to submit SA?

Even if she is, if she has made no contributions and was not entitled to credits, how could it count as a year?

Could she get a job paying enough to give her NI credits?

https://taxaid.org.uk/guides/information/an-introduction-to-income-tax-national-insurance-and-tax-credits/national-insurance/national-insurance-for-employees-and-employers/national-insurance-thresholds#:~:text=a) The Lower Earning Limit,actually pay any National Insurance.

Or simply make voluntary contributions?

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions

molerat

Dave46049 said:

OldBeanz said:

Dave46049 said:

Albermarle said:

Have you actually checked what her current position is ?

Check your State Pension forecast - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

33 years fully paid.
3 years not fully paid.
And this year not available yet - which is I presume because the SA has not yet been submitted.

What do the pension £ numbers say? The big change to the pension system in 2016 means that "33 years" is not always 33 years.

Estimate based on record up to 05/04/2021 = £173.43
Estiamte if you contribute another 3 years before 2036 - £185.15

One of the years in the NI record says she can pay a volumtary amount of £824 to "make up the short fall"

What has she been doing for 21-22 ?

There is no rush to do anything as there is another 14 years left to top up the required amount, buying back years would only be a good idea if they were part filled cheap ones.  2 more years will add £10.58, the 3rd will only add another £1.14.

Have you checked your own forecast ?