To ask how many National Insurance credits you have?

[CatteryCatz]

I’ve just turned 29 and I have 7 National Insurance credits (full years).

I thought it seemed quite bad, but I worked part time at uni, but didn’t meet the threshold for credits for those years. All of my years are full since then.

It’s a shame that National Insurance credits aren’t given when at uni/college.

You're 29, and you need another 28 full years contributions for full credit. Unless you're planning to retire before 57, I can't see the problem.

36 full years. I am tired! You have plenty time plus the benefit of compulsory employer pension contributions which my generation didn't have for a long time. Hopefully with a degree you've the ability to earn a decent salary and save into a private pension too.

If you pay NI on part time work whilst you are at Uni/College, then you would get credits, but the threshold was pretty high back then. Now the threshold is lower, more people will pay and get credits

You also get credits for years you claim child benefit - not sure if that applies to you?

You need to get 28 more years credits I think to have the full amount, so could maybe still retire a bit early..?!

I'm an old bird in my 50s so have full credits
DH looked after the kids more and retired early, so he is about 5 years off the full amount. We did check and pay the top ups where possible

You get NI credits (which get you qualifying years for the state pension) by paying tax, claiming child benefit (or just the NI credits without the money) for a child up to 12 I think, plus there are some benefits where you build up the credits.

I’m 39 and have 13 years to go, because I had Saturday jobs as a student and teenager and apparently some of these years in part time jobs before graduation have given me qualifying years. But as a PP said, I’ll need to work beyond 52 (sadly!) so will keep paying NI regardless.

I have full credits but I am 61

Why would they be? You weren't contributing. If credits were issued then what would be the point of a contribution based system.
I may be a bit bear headed about this because I have 45 years and another seven to go. So 52 by the time I get my pension.

Bless you!

I have a workplace pension, though it is at the statutory minimum, in terms of contributions. (Employer won’t increase their contributions, even if I increase mine.)

I’ve just started a SIPP, which has £100. I’m going to pay a small amount into that each month. Sometimes I wonder if it’ll be worth it…

@TheWordWomanIsTaken you don’t get your pension at 52. It’s 66 or 68 now. It may just be 52 when you have done your qualifying years. Unless you’re talking about a private pension.

I think she means she will have 52 years of contributions, not that she wll be 52!

43. However in recent times the threshold has increased so much that lots of people will get caught out. I suspect the system will be abolished long before you retire. It is worth noting that I've always topped up my income with self employment and ensured I paid class 2 contributions even though I didn't have to.

Haven’t missed a single year since 1993/4. (Have worked since I was 15.). I’m 47 and need another 4 years (but will end up adding another 16 years if I work to 67).

I have 43 full years and another 7 years to go until I reach state pension age. I’m still working.

When I claimed my state pension, I had been working for 51 years, and had NI credits for all but two of them, one when i was pregnant and too ill to work, and one when I was living overseas and decided I really didn’t need to pay voluntary contributions.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what are they and how do I find out?

Yes, as it stands at the moment it is worth it. I am 62 and realising that I didn't contribute enough to private pensions and relied too much on a series of intermittent work place pensions. You don't know what the state pension will be like in 40 years when you come to retire, so make your own provision.

@HollyGolightly4

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits

I'm 30 and I've got 12 years - I worked all through college and uni so I think that accounts for a few years when I didn't have a full time job. I reckon I'll be working till I'm 70 so plenty of time to make up the rest!

You pay national insurance when you work and earn above the weekly qualifying amount. You can also get credits for claiming child benefit a ong other benefits.
Each full year entitles you to some state pension. If you started paying in after 2016 you need 35 full years for the full new state pension. If you had any contributions before then the number of years needed will vary.
If you go to your government gateway account it will show your record.
www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services

I'm 39 and have 23 full years already. Just one year where I didn't contribute enough. Have worked since I was 16. Shame I have to keep contributing once my years are filled!

You aren't just paying NI for state pension though. That's just one of the many benefits that it entities you to. Not to mention helping to fund the NHS.
It's not like a private pension pot.

I'm 32 and have 16 years. I worked part time through college and must have paid enough during my maternity leaves too.

You’d get it for claiming child benefit

Lots of years - interestingly I have full years for when I was in 6th form, I’m guessing that isn’t a thing these days. I didn’t pay any NI for four years when I was living abroad - my first job was abroad so I don’t know about NI. I didn’t cross my mind that I could/should pay voluntary contributions, and I’m surprised my parents didn’t point it out to me.
I think it’s a bit unfair that years studying for a degree aren’t counted.

You can pay to top them up but at 30 you will probably accumulate maximum over time.

@CatteryCatz I have 41 years as that’s how long I’ve worked but can’t take state pension until 2033 😩.