Finished college - not sure on next steps - working part time

racquel75

possibly not the right subject, but looking for any guidance for my child.

they've finished college, not sure what they want to do long term, taking a year off from education, may go to uni next year, may not. 

Currently working part time (stayed in the job they had alongside college).  Hours / earnings aren't high enough to tax / NI.    hear a lot about NI gaps.. and people losing out later in life.

should they be talking to the job centre about signing on for something?  to protect themselves later.

if so, what?  

any guidance appreciated.

Emmia

If they've just left college they're ~18? 19? Lots of time to get NI credits.  I'd focus on perhaps finding them a full time job rather than "signing on".

singhini

racquel75 said:

possibly not the right subject, but looking for any guidance for my child.

they've finished college, not sure what they want to do long term, taking a year off from education, may go to uni next year, may not. 

Currently working part time (stayed in the job they had alongside college).  Hours / earnings aren't high enough to tax / NI.    hear a lot about NI gaps.. and people losing out later in life.

should they be talking to the job centre about signing on for something?  to protect themselves later.

if so, what?  

any guidance appreciated.

If they are working and earning above the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) and below the Primary Threshold (PT) they won't pay any Income Tax or NI but you do build up qualifying years for your State Pension.
I'm not sure if your child is paid weekly or monthly but the figures are:

LEL = £125 a week or £542 a month
PT = £242 a week or £1,048 a month

So lets say they are paid monthly, if they earn more than £542 but below £1,048 then no NI is paid but you do build up qualifying year for your State Pension.

So during a whole tax year (6th April to 5th March) if your child earns 52 times £125 which is £6,500 they get a qualifying year (why 52 times, because there are 52 weeks in a year).

Hope that makes sense. 
Link here might help Navigating National Insurance Thresholds 2025/2026| Crunch