Gap in wifes NI contributions

cyclonebri1

Sorry but yet another pensions query, one we should have looked at earlier I know, but..............

My wife had a period of around 10 years when she paid "1/2 stamp". I don't have the exact period, dates etc.

I'm sure I've heard that these can be paid up but I haven't looked into it at all.

The question is if we can afford to pay this up, is it advisable? and what benefits will it bring?

Inversely if we don't will our joint married pension be reduced? or just the wifes when I am a dwindling dust dot on the horizon?

Again sorry for lack of detail at present.

:beer: in advance

seven-day-weekend

If your wife's retirement date is on or after April 6th 2010, she only needs 30 years contributions to get a full pension. If before that, then she needs 39 years.

I don't think she can make up any years in which she paid the 'small' stamp. However, if she then switched to full stamp, there is a mechanism to pay up some of these, but I'm not sure of the qualifying details. I'm sure someone will come along soon who does know.

Also,if your wife has received child benefit after 1974 and was paying full stamp immediately before, she may be entitled to Home Responsibilities Protection if she was not earning enough to pay NI due to bringing up children. This will reduce the number of years she has to pay NI. This does not apply if she was only paying the 'small' stamp.

There is no such thing as a 'joint' married pension. You each have your own provision and if your wife does not have any/enough due to paying small stamp, she will be entitled to a Pension based on your contributions and it will be 60% of yours. If you die before her, I think she will get £100%.

Other people will have more advice for you I'm sure.

Hope this helps.

janienewcastle

Hi there, in relation to the above query, it is possible to buy back contributions but only if there are gaps on your wifes record from 1996 and no married womans reduced rate election 'active' on her NI record.

To get a clearer picture call the national insurace enquiry line on 0845 302 1479, they will tell your wife over the phone if there are any conts she can buy back. The voluntary contributions will only count towards basic state pension and berevement benefit only. Check with the pensions service on 0845 3000 168 to find out how many years of stamp your wife has already (retire after april 2010 and its 30 years) then you can see if it would benefit your wife to pay back the (potential) gaps.

Hope this helps!!!

cyclonebri1

It helps alot, thanks to both of you:santa2:

I will post back with the results if it turns out to be of any use to others:xmassign: