Year Not Full National Insurance Gap

lyppy1234

Hi, I’m really confused. I have a gap in my NI for 2023/2024 and can pay a voluntary amount (which I can’t really afford and only decreases my pension by a couple of pounds). What I don’t understand is that I was paid over the £6396.00 PA. I am on low income, but more than the £123 a week lower limit. I don’t claim any benefits but I don’t pay NI or tax as I don’t earn enough. I have a gap in 2002/2003 after I had my son, but no other gaps until now. I have 33 full years and have at least another 15 years to work.  If I’ve been paid over £6396pa why is my NI year not complete? Has anyone else had this and if so did you find out why your year wasn’t full? Also, I understand you have to have 35 years full - is this consecutive or over your working life? 

Tried the Gov. website, but no help there. Tried calling but keep being told they are too busy and then they cut me off.
Thank you in advance.

molerat

35 years is not relevant to anyone with a pre 2016 history, you may need more, you may need less, you may coincidentally need 35, everyone is different.  Your forecast will tell you if you can get the full amount and how many more years you need to contribute to get there.  The years required is over your working life.  There is no real panic over trying to sort 23/24, wait until after the panic has died down.

QrizB

lyppy1234 said:

 I have a gap in my NI for 2023/2024 and can pay a voluntary amount (which I can’t really afford and only decreases my pension by a couple of pounds). What I don’t understand is that I was paid over the £6396.00 PA. I am on low income, but more than the £123 a week lower limit.

NI is calculated weekly. Were there some weeks when you earned less than £123?

How much is the voluntary payment?

Were you working for a large employer, or were you working for someone who might not have put you on the books? If a large employer, can you say who it was?

lyppy1234

I think there was 3 weeks that year that may have dropped under £123, but not 100% sure.
The voluntary payment is £331 and I work for a reasonably large employer.

my forecast doesn’t tell me how many more years are needed??? It just shows my forecast.

molerat

lyppy1234 said:

I think there was 3 weeks that year that may have dropped under £123, but not 100% sure.
The voluntary payment is £331 and I work for a reasonably large employer.

my forecast doesn’t tell me how many more years are needed??? It just shows my forecast.

Your forecast should state everything, expected amount at retirement - the big green box - and below that what you already have and what you need to do - how many more years needed - to get to that green box amount.

Something like this

lyppy1234

Ah yes, thank you. I think my brain just saw figures 🫢. It says I only need to contribute for “another year” before my retirement date. So hopefully it’ll be ok as I’ve got a few years left still to work.
Thank you both for your responses.