National insurance contributions Advice needed

paulalawson

Hi everyone, I am 54 and am missing some years on my national insurance record, I need to make up 10 years, I can't afford to buy back any years but I was going to start paying class 3 contributions starting in April. I only work 8 hours a week but have heard if I work 12 hours which takes me over £123 a week but under the amount where I would pay national insurance that I can get ni credits ??? Is this correct and if so how long has this been the case?

My husband has an army pension and he insists I don't need to worry about topping up my pension as I will have enough to live on once retired.

Trying to work out what to do for the best, advice would be great

Many thanks

paulalawson

Hi everyone, I am 54 and am missing some years on my national insurance record, I need to make up 10 years, I can't afford to buy back any years but I was going to start paying class 3 contributions starting in April.  I only work 8 hours a week but have heard if I work 12 hours which takes me over £123 a week but under the amount where I would pay national insurance that I can get ni credits ??? Is this correct and if so how long has this been the case?
My husband has an army pension and he insists I don't need to worry about topping up my pension as I will have enough to live on once retired.
Trying to work out what to do for the best, advice would be great
Many thanks

HillStreetBlues

That is correct, it's the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) although you won't pay any NI, you will be treated as doing so.
AFAIK The LEL was first introduced in the mid 80's  when it was £35.50pw

I don't believe the LEL is increasing in 2024/25 so once NMW  wage increases 11 hours would meet requirements for anyone like you that's 21 or over.

molerat

My husband has an army pension and he insists I don't need to worry about topping up my pension as I will have enough to live on once retired.

Maybe you could live as a couple with his full army pension and his state pension but if he pops off early you would only have half his army pension and whatever little SP you would have in your own right, there is effectively no inheritance of state pension under the new scheme.

paulalawson

Thanks for your replys, although I've added this thread in the wrong place lol,  i will do again in correct place

peteuk

molerat said:

My husband has an army pension and he insists I don't need to worry about topping up my pension as I will have enough to live on once retired.

Maybe you could live as a couple with his full army pension and his state pension but if he pops off early you would only have half his army pension and whatever little SP you would have in your own right, there is effectively no inheritance of state pension under the new scheme.

.  

If hubby was posted overseas and you went with him and couldnt work (or if you did it was locally arranged so you didn’t pay NI) you may be entitled to claim NI credits for the period you accompanied him overseas

Dazed_and_C0nfused

paulalawson said:

Hi everyone, I am 54 and am missing some years on my national insurance record, I need to make up 10 years, I can't afford to buy back any years but I was going to start paying class 3 contributions starting in April. I only work 8 hours a week but have heard if I work 12 hours which takes me over £123 a week but under the amount where I would pay national insurance that I can get ni credits ??? Is this correct and if so how long has this been the case?

My husband has an army pension and he insists I don't need to worry about topping up my pension as I will have enough to live on once retired.

Trying to work out what to do for the best, advice would be great

Many thanks

It is correct and has been the case for many years now.

Providing your employer files Real Time Information reports detailing your earnings you should automatically be credited with the appropriate week's NI (or a full year if you earn enough).

https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/employment/what-national-insurance-do-i-pay-employee#toc-what-happens-if-i-earn-less-than-the-weekly-monthly-threshold-

paulalawson

peteuk said:

molerat said:

My husband has an army pension and he insists I don't need to worry about topping up my pension as I will have enough to live on once retired.

Maybe you could live as a couple with his full army pension and his state pension but if he pops off early you would only have half his army pension and whatever little SP you would have in your own right, there is effectively no inheritance of state pension under the new scheme.

.  

If hubby was posted overseas and you went with him and couldnt work (or if you did it was locally arranged so you didn’t pay NI) you may be entitled to claim NI credits for the period you accompanied him overseas

Thank you I did go with him overseas but was covered at that time by home duties with child benefit

Silvertabby

Are some of gaps due to accompanying your husband on overseas postings?  If so, then you MAY  be able to claim Class 3 credits for those years.

paulalawson

Silvertabby said:

Are some of gaps due to accompanying your husband on overseas postings?  If so, then you MAY  be able to claim Class 3 credits for those years.

I did but was covered at that time by credits from having children

paulalawson

HillStreetBlues said:

That is correct, it's the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) although you won't pay any NI, you will be treated as doing so.
AFAIK The LEL was first introduced in the mid 80's  when it was £35.50pw

I don't believe the LEL is increasing in 2024/25 so once NMW  wage increases 11 hours would meet requirements for anyone like you that's 21 or over.

I worked over 12 hours a few years back for most of the year maybe not all, should I of recieved credits for those months I did, meaning would be a part year of credits? I have nothing of this on my ni forecast ???
Thanks