National Insurance Contributions, best way to keep paying

HeatherKL

I followed Martin's advice and both my husband and I topped up our missing NI contributions.  However, I have been unemployed since December and I want to make sure I keep on top of them. What is the best way to do this?
I have applied for JSA, as I think this will pay them for the 6 months you get it. Can someone confirm that.
Other wise I think I will have to just pay at the end of the year out of our savings. We are ok with doing this, but if I register as self employed and pay the Class 3? will this still qualify me for the full pension? 
I've tried contacting Citizen's Advice, but no joy getting through. Who else can give me clear answer (apart from you lovely Forumites) I'll ask at my Job Centre interview but I'm not holding out much hope
TIA
Heather

molerat

You can pay voluntary contributions any time up to 6 years after the end of the year in question, up to 2 years after at the actual in year price.  Both class 3 and self employed class 2 voluntary contributions add to your pension entitlement.  If you are self employed you could get class 2 credited with no payment if your profits are above £6845 (for 25-26)

Did you actually need to top up your missing years ?

singhini

HeatherKL said:

I followed Martin's advice and both my husband and I topped up our missing NI contributions.  However, I have been unemployed since December and I want to make sure I keep on top of them. What is the best way to do this?
I have applied for JSA, as I think this will pay them for the 6 months you get it. Can someone confirm that.
Other wise I think I will have to just pay at the end of the year out of our savings. We are ok with doing this, but if I register as self employed and pay the Class 3? will this still qualify me for the full pension? 
I've tried contacting Citizen's Advice, but no joy getting through. Who else can give me clear answer (apart from you lovely Forumites) I'll ask at my Job Centre interview but I'm not holding out much hope
TIA
Heather

Yes that is correct JSA comes with weekly NI credits (26 weeks worth assuming you don't find a job beforehand).

After the 26 weeks of JSA your job coach should ask you if you have savings over £16,000 and if you do have, you can ask for form JSANC1 and claim just NI Credits (you don't get any JSA Money when your just on NI credits).

If you have saving of below £16,000 i think you could apply for Universal Credit (Not sure?)

As you point out, you could go self employed and pay for NI Credits. However it is possible to work or be self employed and earn money and still get NI Credits  -------> If someone works or and they earn above the Lower Earning Limit (LEL) but below the Primary Threshold (PT) you are treated as having paid NICs without actually having to make a payment ------> basically if you work and earn above £542 a month but below £1,048 a month then you are treated as having paid NICs (Its slightly different if you are self employed but i think still possible)

singhini

i just had a thought, aslong as you earn 52 times the LEL in this tax year you get a qualifying NI year

So, if you earn £6,500 in this tax year you should be awarded a qualifying year (LEL is = £125 per week x 52 weeks = £6,500) -------> can someone confirm this is correct please?

HeatherKL

molerat said:

You can pay voluntary contributions any time up to 6 years after the end of the year in question, up to 2 years after at the actual in year price.  Both class 3 and self employed class 2 voluntary contributions add to your pension entitlement.  If you are self employed you could get class 2 credited with no payment if your profits are above £6845 (for 25-26)

Did you actually need to top up your missing years ?

Thanks.
We did need to top up, we had pretty patchy work histories, being often self employed or mature students. My OH still won't get  a full pension, but I should if I carry on paying in.