Ni Contributions

[Old_Geezer]

Unsure which forum is best as I didn't spot a 'government' or 'taxation' one, so I'll try here.

One possibility I may face during the next year is to be unemployed, at an age when for sure I'm not that interested in looking for another job. For the few employers that would be interested in considering an older guy as employee, I can't see any offering a decent salary position; especially as the technical knowledge I have is more suited to old defunct equipment and I'm already finding it difficult to be as adept as I used to be on the new tech. Both mind & body no longer at their peak, seems to be in freefall on occasion.

So, as a precaution, I'm preparing for the possibility of leaving the rat race by saving all I can in the hope I can fund myself until the first pension kicks in. (It may mean I do not die still employed as my father and grandfather did before me, and I get a few years for myself.)

So I was under the impression that having contributed well over 30 years of NI contributions I was set to no longer contribute after such an event. For sure I can find details in the Net saying the State pension is sorted, and I assumed it also applied to everything the NI funded. But the trouble with speaking to friends over a pint or two at the pub is that one said, "Ah but you will still have to carry on paying in order to get the service of the NHS !"

What is the situation there ? Does the government expect folk with no income, and not wanting to seek further employment to continue to stump up even after 30 years contributions ?

Am I obliged to job seek knowing that none will be suitable whilst others seem to be on permanent welfare ?

Cheers.

[SlackAlice]

As far as I'm aware you only stop paying NIC after reaching State Pension Age and you have to notify your employers.

It's not specifically 30yrs, depends on your Birthdate.

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/pensions-and-retirement-planning/pensions-and-retirement/financial-support-for-retirement/making-sure-youve-stopped-paying-national-insurance.htm

[bhg481]

Have a look at this OG. Section 5 deals with unemployed.

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/help-if-youre-not-working

[Old_Geezer]

That is what my friend was suggesting. Maybe I have made a wrong assumption because the pension certainly requires 30 years only to qualify. But it seems odd the NHS seems to be prepared to treat everyone, yet if you have no income and are unemployed, as a previous contributor for decades you are expected to still cough up.

[Old_Geezer]

I wasn't intending to claim any welfare, so I would not be eligible for credits. Again it seems those who look after themselves are being asked to contribute.

Well it isn't the end of the world, but it is a blow. Haven't they had enough out of me yet ?

[Old_Geezer]

Interestingly the "how much you pay" page refers to 'employed', 'self-employed', 'company directors', 'share fishermen', but not to 'unemployed'. It's just this sort of hiding the basic information one needs that forces one to ask for opinions from folk on question websites.

[poorclare]

Just become an alcoholic/gamble or pretend to be and the government will pay YOU money to spend in the pubs/clubs and bookies
Pubs/clubs open just after 9am
all us other poor *** have to pay the government .
aah this sickening

[SlackAlice]

I suggest a visit to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They will be able to give advice especially if you are expecting unemployment for whatever reason.

I took early retirement because my employer wanted to reduce staffing levels which left me about 18mths before I reached State Pension Age. I had no intention of working but still went to the Jobcentre and signed on. I didn't get any benefits other than NIC contributions. I was not after any money because fortunately I had sufficient to cover me until my various pensions kicked in.

I know its all changed now and thats why I suggest a visit to CAB, because they should be up to date.

[ladybirder]

If you just sign on as unemployed won't that cover it.? People, like that Philpott guy and his wife who hadn't worked for years, still got the services of the NHS when having their babies didn't they?

[Canary42]

///"Ah but you will still have to carry on paying in order to get the service of the NHS !" ///

Old wives tale. I know from similar experience.

[ubasses]

When you reach 30 years you only need to go on paying NIC if you are still receiving earned income. After 2016 when the new higher flat rate pension comes in it will increase to 35 years. If you are going to fall into this category you can make voluntary contributions.

[Old_Geezer]

I seem to have a dissenting voice here now :-)

Yes I guess I could simply sign on but I'd rather have a better/fairer way to avoid the drain on finances. Surely the zero (small dividend cheques aside) income should count for something.

I don't wish to chase up to the extent of the CAB until the anticipated event occurs but will keep that in mind.

[Old_Geezer]

Without working out dates and checking, I'm already past 37 years contributions.

[THECORBYLOON]

If you have checked your State Pension entitlement and it is saying you already qualify for the full Basic amount, once employment ends, you need not worry about NI Contributions. Claimants receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance for example receive an NI Contribution each week they satisfy the actively seeking employment (ASE) and availability conditions and you can sign for Credits only without making a claim for JSA.

Whoever telt you that you need to be paying NI in order to receive NHS treatment is incorrect. NI need be paid on earnings only if they exceed a set level and you are under State Pension age.

[THECORBYLOON]

JSA claimants receive an NI Contribution Credit is what I meant to type.

[Old_Geezer]

That would be great news: and now I have the usual issue with question sites. When one receives contradictory advice, how do one know which is correct ?

Can posters who believe I would not have to continue contributing know of something official I can look at and confirm the situation please ?

(Again if it all happens as expected I can always try the CAB at that time.)

[wolf63]

Mr Loon's answer would be the one that I would have given you.

I 'retired' at 40 :-)

[THECORBYLOON]

Do you want to know if you HAVE to pay NI whilst unemployed OR if NHS treatment is based on NI Contributions?

[THECORBYLOON]

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074374 see the answer to the first Question

[THECORBYLOON]

https://www.gov.uk/tax-national-insurance-after-state-pension-age/calculating-national-insurance-and-tax confirms NI stops at pension age so how do folk in their eighties and nineties receive NHS treatment for free UNLESS you don't need to be paying NI?

[factor-fiction]

If there is any doubt I would always refer to the gov.uk site.
For example https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/what-national-insurance-is-for
I can find lots of references on here and other advice sites about the benefits that NI contributions entitle you to, but for UK residents I can see nothing that uses NI contributions to determine entitlement to NHS.