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Should my wife make voluntary NI contributions for 2010/11 tax year?

by fodigie 22 October 2012 |

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My wife (aged 44) is a UK citizen and has never worked (housewife). She has received a letter from HMRC advising her that there is a gap in her NI contributions for 2010/11.
At the same time. she has been told that she has 10 qualifying years of NIC's which count towards her basic state pension.
Should she make the voluntary payment of £626.60? Will she be required to do so for future years also? She does not plan on working in the near future.
Many thanks

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879

MikeGG1 posted
She has 10 years, so presumably she worked before you were married. Did she stop because of getting married or when you had children? If so, did she claim Home Responsibilities Protection? And if she did, how many years did, or will, that give her?

The minimum required for full pension is 30 years so she has earned one third of the full Basic State Pension. However, as your wife, she is entitled to 60% of the full BSP if you will have a full record.

You say that she does not plan to work in the near future, but does she plan ever to work? There is another 20 years before State Pension Date.

The issue is too complicated to answer on the information that you have provided so far.

Mike
Posted on 22 October 2012 | Love 0 loves Report
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fodigie posted
Thanks Mike.

We married when she was 18 so she has never worked (looking after the children). She has not claimed Home Responsibilites Protection - I am assuming that the 10 qualifying years relates to that. If not, how does she go about claiming it?
With regards to going back to work, at this moment in time there are no plans to start work (but you never know about the future).
You mention her entitlement to 60% of the BSP, how does that relate to her NIC?
Thanks
Posted on 23 October 2012 | Love 0 loves Report
879

MikeGG1 posted
Please see https://www.gov.uk/home-responsibilities-protection-hrp/overview for HRP.

The 60% relates to your NIC.

Mike
Posted on 23 October 2012 | Love 0 loves Report
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travelbugs posted
does this apply to house blokes as well, married with two kids,
Posted on 24 October 2012 | Love 0 loves Report
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ferryhill9 posted
Assuming your wife never worked again. She could pay the £626 / year for the next 20 years. That would give her a full state pension, which is currently around £6000 / year for the rest of her life, Pretty good return. One thing to note, the ability to make up missing contributions is time limited. I seem to remember 5 years when we paid my wife's NICs. It was also a lot less then, I seem to remember around £320 for each year (that was about 6-7 years ago).
Posted on 24 October 2012 | Love 0 loves Report

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