Work 4 months - earn a “full year” of NI for state pension?

noitsnotme

If you are paid monthly, does it mean you need to receive at least £542 in your monthly pay to ensure you qualify with regards to the £125 a week caveat?



https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-and-thresholds-for-employers-2025-to-2026

RogerPensionGuy

This is a great thread and I don't think many people are aware of it. 

I've known a few people who just feel leaving employment at the end of March is a best option because they aware financial year is 5/6th April.

I explained just do April and May if monthly pay sufficient or do Apr till June, July whatever to get an extra NI on the books.

Most people in the above situation just like last paycheck in March and 1st DB or SIPP paycheck in April and feel another time of the year will cause hassle.

I have always been critical of 99% of pension seminars & meetings I've attended as they always normally hard link last employment or earnings payment with pension payments starting the next day or month, they generally don't explain stopping paid employment and pension income can slide as required.

I guess lots of people just like payments every week or month to keep it simple.

As time goes by, getting them 35 years of NI in the bag are looking like gold plated items its better having. 

There's been so much talk of the state pension getting means tested etc over the years and maybe it will maybe, but I suspect to contain/restrain its cost we will just see age ebb up & up.

It's essentially 67 nowadays and I can see it going up to 69 in say 15/18ish years and 70/71 in say 25/28ish years.

Bluebell1000

I've also found this useful. I am still some way off retirement, but was thinking of stopping in August to make sure I 'bank' another year of NI contributions (which will hopefully only leave me with 2 additional years of pension to pay for) - depending on how regulations etc. change in the meantime!