National insurance contributions / pensions - 2 weeks unemployed?

[Sarah557]

Hi All

Not sure if anyone will be able to shed some light on this please?

Im going to be leaving my current role soon as I have been offered a new job. I was hoping to finish and then have a two week break before starting my new job (therefore, unemployed for two weeks).

Just wondering if anyone knows if this will cause issues for me down the line? I understand I can pay more towards national contributions in the future so hopefully this would sort that out. Would it cause any issue with pensions? I will be going from one public sector organisation to another (not sure if that makes any difference?)

Thank you :)

There shouldn’t be any issues, NI is based on actual earnings, with pension you will get opportunity to join the new employer’s scheme, some you can join straight away, some you may get asked to join after probation period. The pension scheme company may be different to your existing employer’s scheme and it might be something to consider moving your existing funds to the new company’s pension policy.

There is no issue with the NI and the state pension. You just have to earn over a certain amount each tax year, you don’t need to work the full year.
It could potentially make a difference if your work pension is a final salary pension. You would need to check the pension rules. My pension, for instance, keeps the final salary element as long as you don’t have more than a 4 week break in service. If the break is for more than 4 weeks then the pension is treated as two different pensions and you would lose out as the first pension would potentially be based on a lower final salary.

Thank you both, this has given me some reassurance. I will look into the pension side of things further. Thank you!