Another question about State Pension and qulaifiing years

DE_612183

As it stands I am nearly 60 and have a full set of qualifying years.

My wife is about 3 or 4 short, but is 5 years younger than me.

She hasn't worked for a number of years, and I can't really see her doing that anytime soon.

I have a former final salary pension and a couple of SIPPs.

When I turn 67 and have the state pension, in order to get any qualifying years added - does she need to work or claim benefits of some sort?

Does she not automatically get years if I'm on state pension?

jem16

DE_612183 said:

Does she not automatically get years if I'm on state pension?

No-one automatically gets years. If she's not working then she will either have to pay voluntary NICs or be eligible for NI Credits in some way usually either through caring or being on appropriate benefits.

Her NI record would be nothing to do with yours.

DE_612183

ah ok thanks, I suppose I was getting confused as she got years credited when getting child allowance.

 

TadleyBaggie

One solution would be to have another child and claim child benefit again.

xylophone

Have you both obtained state pension forecasts?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

What exactly do they say?

DE_612183

yes - thats how I know I'm ok and she a few years shy

MallyGirl

she could get credited if she takes on grandparent childcaring but other than that it is working or buying extra years to make up the gaps

Merlin139

If your wife wanted to look for part time work of say around 12 to 16 hrs a week she would earn enough to get her over the minimum threshold for NI contributions. As long as its above the lower threshold of £123 per week she would get credits. Less than £190 per week and she would not pay NI.

Also while looking for work she could claim NI credits. If she goes to her local Job Centre and asked to claim for National Insurance credits.

You have to sign on once every 3 months for this.

You can also get credits for acting as child minders for Grand Children.

Blue_Butterfly

You can also get Carer NI Credits for looking after one or more elderly or disabled people for a minimum of 20hrs each week. 

sammyjammy

TadleyBaggie said:

One solution would be to have another child and claim child benefit again.

bit dramatic 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

sammyjammy said:

TadleyBaggie said:

One solution would be to have another child and claim child benefit again.

bit dramatic 

But more fun "organising" it than it is paying voluntary NI 😉