NI Credits

edddd1

My wife has taken ill-health retirement at age 46 and receives a company pension.The pension sum precludes her claiming Incapacity Benefit. Her forecast of state pension states that she will have 30 years contributions. My question is - are there any circumstances what-so-ever under which she should pay for or organise credits on a continuing basis, especially if she spends a period abroad.

EdInvestor

If she already has 30 years conts, there is no need to pay any more.

edddd1

This was the issue I had heard about...

There have been various sensationalist stories in the English press here in Southern Spain, 'OAP's refused treatment' etc, some quick research produced the following...
"The reciprocal arrangement within the European Union states that Britons who have reached state pension age, women over 60 and men over 65; those with long-term disability pension; and those working and therefore paying social security contributions, are entitled to free treatment.
But, if you retire early, say in your fifties, you are not entitled to free medical care. You may however, be able to claim health care cover back from the UK for a limited period. This short-term cover depends on your most recent National Insurance contributions while you were still working. Maximum entitlement is two and a half years. To claim you need E106.

Form E111 is primarily to provide health care for tourists. If you have a house in Spain but do not use it all the year the E111 will cover you for up to 90 days. If you stay more than 183 days you are regarded as a resident.

STATUS DEFINITION ENTITLEMENT TO NHS HOSPITAL SERVICES
1. UK RESIDENTS Persons who at the time of treatment have:

Been in the UK for the previous 12 months (absences of up to 3 months are disregarded)

or
Been living in the UK for a settled purpose* for not less than 6 months.
Come to the UK for employment, (this includes students and trainees whose courses require them to spend not less than 12 weeks in employment during their first year and some voluntary workers).
Had at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK and have either been working abroad for not more than 5 years or have been taking home leave in the UK at least once every two years or have a contractual right to do so.

All hospital services.

2. ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES Persons who have one of the following:

A travel document issued in the UK in accordance with the Convention of the Status of Refugees.
A letter from the Home Office stating the patient is a refugee or has been granted refuge in the UK.
An acknowledgement from the Home Office confirming the patient has made an application for asylum.

All hospital services.

3. OVERSEAS VISITORS
3.1 European Economic Area (Nationals) Persons who are nationals of the European Economic Area Member States (List A below).
Only urgent treatment for which the need arose during their visit to the UK
or
referrals specifically to the UK for treatment with Form E112
or
Workers/students and their families temporarily living in the UK with Form E128.

3.2 Countries with Reciprocal Agreements (Nationals and Residents) Persons who are nationals (List B below) or nationals or residents (List C below) of countries with reciprocal agreements with the UK.
Only urgent treatment for which the need arose during their visit to the UK.

3.3 State Pensioners Living Overseas UK State Pensioners living overseas who are in receipt of a state pension.
Only urgent treatment for which the need arose during their visit to the UK.

3.4 Other Overseas Visitors Overseas visitors not in categories 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 above.
No free hospital services (except treatment at A&E outpatients).

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA MEMBER STATES COUNTRIES WITH RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE UK
List A List B
Nationals from: List C
Nationals and residents (irrespective of nationality) from:
Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Iceland Irish Republic Italy Liechtenstein Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain
Sweden UK Bulgaria Czech Republic Gibraltar Hungary Malta New Zealand Russian Federation Slovak Republic Former Soviet Union States (except Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia ) Former Yugoslavia Anguilla Australia Barbados British Virgin Islands Channel Islands Falkland Islands Isle of Man
Montserrat Poland Romania St Helena Turks & Caicos Islands "

seven-day-weekend

The 30 years entitles your wife to a full British State Pension.

It is nothing to do with health rights in a foreign country. You would not be entitled to free Healthcare if you are non-British Resident, even if you continued to pay stamps.

The way to get free healthcare in Spain if you are Spanish Resident is as follows.

Be of State Pensionable age (at he moment 60/65) and be covered by an E121 issued by the British Government. A dependent will be covered too.

Or:

You can be covered for up to two years on an E106 if you have paid enough Class One NI stamps for the preceding two years before you becaome Spanish Resident.

Or:

Be in receipt of long-term Incapacity Benefit and be treated like a pensioner, on the E121, for as long as you are on the Benefit. A dependent will be covered too. If you becaome of Pensionable age whilst still on IB, your cover continues indefinitely.

Otherwise you have to pay into the Spanish system and qualify for their free healthcare, or take out private medical insurance.

You will not be able to access the British NHS other than for emergencires if you are Spanish Resident.

To Recap : Paying Class 3 Voluntary NI COntributions will not entitle you to fre healthcare in another country, they only count towards your pension and if you already have 30 years in there is no point paying any more.

Hope this helps.