No state pension contributions

Frith

What happens if you don't pay any national insurance or make any state pension contributions? 

Of course, you wouldn't have a pension but would there be any other repercussions? 

(I'm asking for someone else) 

Marcon

Frith said:

What happens if you don't pay any national insurance or make any state pension contributions? 

Of course, you wouldn't have a pension but would there be any other repercussions? 

(I'm asking for someone else) 

State pension contributions are included in NI contributions.

You wouldn't be entitled to a state pension or any other benefit where payment of NI contributions is a requirement. See https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-nic/national-insurance for more information on which benefits are 'contributory'.

Exodi

And just to be crystal clear - someone who has not worked, but is in receipt of benefits can still accrue national insurance credits and be entitled to a state pension (just to prevent the assumption some people have that not working automatically means no state pension).

If it was the case, they could consider buying additional years, which typically represents incredible value for money.

eskbanker

Frith said:

What happens if you don't pay any national insurance or make any state pension contributions? 

Of course, you wouldn't have a pension but would there be any other repercussions? 

(I'm asking for someone else) 

There'd be repercussions if you were meant to have paid NI, e.g. if you failed to pay mandatory contributions from self-employment, as opposed to simply choosing not to pay any voluntary ones - what's the scenario here?

BlackKnightMonty

eskbanker said:

Frith said:

What happens if you don't pay any national insurance or make any state pension contributions? 

Of course, you wouldn't have a pension but would there be any other repercussions? 

(I'm asking for someone else) 

There'd be repercussions if you were meant to have paid NI, e.g. if you failed to pay mandatory contributions from self-employment, as opposed to simply choosing not to pay any voluntary ones - what's the scenario here?

If it was Income Tax then HMRC would demand you to pay it back; with interest. If you don’t do that; then they might take you to court.

Brie

If, for instance, someone has never worked and never claimed benefits but has lived in the UK (& had the right to do so) they might be eligible for pension credits but little else.  This is the situation some women find themselves in if their husband dies and there's no or very little money and no pension payable to the widow.  

Frith

What would anyone recommend with regards to buying past years of pension? Class 2 or 3?

This person hasn't had a job for about 15 years. 

eskbanker

Frith said:

What would anyone recommend with regards to buying past years of pension? Class 2 or 3?

This person hasn't had a job for about 15 years. 

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

molerat

Frith said:

What would anyone recommend with regards to buying past years of pension? Class 2 or 3?

This person hasn't had a job for about 15 years. 

The cheaper class 2 is only available to the self employed.

Have they actually checked their SP forecast and NI record ?

Without that anyone would be guessing as to the best way forward.

Do they have savings or other pensions ?

Paying voluntary contributions could be a bad move in some circumstances as a person could be better off relying on the largesse of the benefits system.

sammy95

I am also looking into this - if it is possible to claim a state pension if you havent paid NI through employment?

Context: This person has an NI number, has claimed other benefits in their name eg child benefit for a few years, hasn't worked in the UK so has not made any NI contributions. Would they be entitled to some kind of pension?

molerat

sammy95 said:

I am also looking into this - if it is possible to claim a state pension if you havent paid NI through employment?

Context: This person has an NI number, has claimed other benefits in their name eg child benefit for a few years, hasn't worked in the UK so has not made any NI contributions. Would they be entitled to some kind of pension?

Child benefit and some other benefits give NI credits towards the state pension.  The only way to find out is to check, the best way is through the on line tax account.

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

https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record