How long would someone need to be on JSA to be allocated a full year of NI credit for state pension?

What_time_is_it

I'm taking voluntary redundancy next year. I'm intending to take a year or two off work, but I want to make sure I've covered all my options regarding NI credits for building up my state pension.

If I was claiming JSA, how long would I have to be claiming it for in order to get a full year of pension on NI credits? Is there even a length of time? Anyone know how this works?

p00hsticks

I'm not sure, but I think you'd probably just get a credit for each week that you claimed JSA, so if this was at the start of a tax year you'd end up with a partial year that you'd need to top up to full - either by returning to work, claiming another benefit or making a voluntary contribution - in order for it to be included in State Pension calculations. 

molerat

You get a week credit for each week on JSA so 52 weeks for a full year but if you are leaving work mid way through the year you may have enough through work.  If you earn 52 x the LEL (£123 pw so £6396)  that would give you a full year of credits.  If claiming JSA you need to be actively seeking work.

What_time_is_it

molerat said:

You get a week credit for each week on JSA so 52 weeks for a full year but if you are leaving work mid way through the year you may have enough through work.  If you earn 52 x the LEL (£123 pw so £6396)  that would give you a full year of credits.  If claiming JSA you need to be actively seeking work.

Thanks. I'm thinking about the next tax year - 2025/26. For the year 2024/25 I will have earned a full year of credits by the time I finish work.
It sounds like even claiming the full 26 weeks of JSA during 2024/25 would only give me 26 weeks (i.e. Half a year) worth of credit. Might just be easier to buy the full year rather than all the faff of visiting the Job Centre and proving I am seeking work.