Early retirement with full state pension quaifying years

Jaheira

For those that have retired early and have the full state benefit contributions, is there any benefit in paying voluntary contributions up until state pension age?  

I'm trying to determine whether making these payments will passport to other benefits/support (excluding state pension) or if my existing NI record will cover these if it becomes a requirement. 

TIA

molerat

There is no point paying voluntary NI if you are retired and already have a full state pension entitlement, they will give no access to any benefits.

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/what-national-insurance-is-for.

You have checked you have a full entitlement and not any perceived necessary number of years ?

Jaheira

Molerat, many thanks for your prompt response.  I am still in employment, but by the time I expect to retire, I will have  full qualifying years. 

I wanted to determine if there are any benefit in paying voluntary contributions so I can budget for this. 

J.

DavidT67

 "£x is the most you can get. You cannot improve your forecast any more."

Like it says on your state pension summary page, paying more NI, voluntary or otherwise, does not yield any benefit once you have achieved your maximum forecast.

Rodders53

Paying NI between early retirement and NSP age may qualify one for some benefits other than State Pension...

Maternity Allowance and Bereavement Support, for example...  https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/national-insurance-contributions-nic/what-benefits-do-my-national-insurance-contributions-nic-pay-for may help?

molerat

Rodders53 said:

Paying NI between early retirement and NSP age may qualify one for some benefits other than State Pension...

Maternity Allowance and Bereavement Support, for example...  https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/national-insurance-contributions-nic/what-benefits-do-my-national-insurance-contributions-nic-pay-for may help?

Interestingly the table in that link differs the table in my .gov link.  I wonder which is correct.

p00hsticks

molerat said:

Rodders53 said:

Paying NI between early retirement and NSP age may qualify one for some benefits other than State Pension...

Maternity Allowance and Bereavement Support, for example...  https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/national-insurance-contributions-nic/what-benefits-do-my-national-insurance-contributions-nic-pay-for may help?

Interestingly the table in that link differs the table in my .gov link.  I wonder which is correct.

You'd have to look at the detail for each benefit, but I think for at least some of them voluntary Class 3 contributions won't guarantee entitlement. Certainly for JSA I believe at least some have to be Class 1 credits earned via actual employment.

Marcon

Rodders53 said:

Paying NI between early retirement and NSP age may qualify one for some benefits other than State Pension...

Maternity Allowance and Bereavement Support, for example...  https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/national-insurance-contributions-nic/what-benefits-do-my-national-insurance-contributions-nic-pay-for may help?

Maternity Allowance is the same in both tables - Yes for class 1 and 2, No for class 3.

Jaheira

Many thanks to everyone for their replies and the links to the above websites. 

As I expect to have made the full amount of contribution, there is no benefit it making further payments.

I wasn't aware of the Bereavement Support Payment, so I will forward this onto family, friends and work colleagues.