What's the threshold for a qualifying NI year?

Oasis1

Does anyone know how much you need to earn, and thus pay NI on, to get a qualifying year?

And is this a total across the whole year, or is there a threshold that has to be met each month?

I can't seem to find an answer. Asking incase I take a career break for part of the year and wondering if I'll lose out on qualifying.

Thanks!

Marcon

Oasis1 said:

Does anyone know how much you need to earn, and thus pay NI on? And is this across the whole year, or is there a threshold that has to be met each month?

Thanks!

https://www.litrg.org.uk/news/reducing-your-working-hours-check-your-national-insurance-record#toc-what-counts-as-a-qualifying-year-

Oasis1

Marcon said:

Oasis1 said:

Does anyone know how much you need to earn, and thus pay NI on? And is this across the whole year, or is there a threshold that has to be met each month?

Thanks!

https://www.litrg.org.uk/news/reducing-your-working-hours-check-your-national-insurance-record#toc-what-counts-as-a-qualifying-year-

Thanks. So I think it says the lower earning threshold is "£1,048" per month. So aslong as I earn above £12,576 over the year, it'll qualify? Or does it have to be over £1,048 every month?

molerat

You need to earn 52 x the LEL of £152 pw or £533 pm / £6396 pa, on earnings above the LEL and below the UEL.  Earning £1048 pm would get you a full year in just over 6 months.  Earning £533 every month would get you a full year without paying any NI.

Oasis1

molerat said:

You need to earn 52 x the LEL of £152 pw or £533 pm / £6396 pa, on earnings above the LEL and below the UEL.  Earning £1048 pm would get you a full year in just over 6 months.  Earning £533 every month would get you a full year without paying any NI.

Thanks for replying. So to simplify - aslong as I earn £6,396 in 2024/25, I'll qualify? Even if it's in the first month?

molerat

Even if it's in the first month?

No.  Earnings above the UEL, £4189 pm, don't count so it would take 2 months.

Oasis1

I'm lost! How much do I need to earn in 2024/25 to qualify? :'D

molerat

Oasis1 said:

I'm lost! How much do I need to earn in 2024/25 to qualify? :'D

£6396. 

But anything over £4189 in a monthly pay won't count so earn £5000 and only £4189 counts towards the £6396.  

Next month earn only £532 and nothing is added towards your total.  

Month 3 earn £2207 and you have your £6396.

Oasis1

molerat said:

Oasis1 said:

I'm lost! How much do I need to earn in 2024/25 to qualify? :'D

£6396. 

But anything over £4189 in a monthly pay won't count so earn £5000 and only £4189 counts towards the £6396.  

Next month earn only £532 and nothing is added towards your total.  

Month 3 earn £2207 and you have your £6396.

Thanks so much for taking the time, I think I understand now!

Flugelhorn

molerat said:

Oasis1 said:

I'm lost! How much do I need to earn in 2024/25 to qualify? :'D

£6396. 

But anything over £4189 in a monthly pay won't count so earn £5000 and only £4189 counts towards the £6396.  

Next month earn only £532 and nothing is added towards your total.  

Month 3 earn £2207 and you have your £6396.

I'm confused now  - I worked for one month in April 2020 then retired at the end of the month - I paid about £608 in NI and have been credited with the whole year.