National Insurance

[nessi]

I earned a total of £2500.00 for the entirety of the last tax year. As a student this was earned over a short space of time during the summer so I paid £145 in National Insurance contributions. Would this count as a qualifying year? If not, would it be possible/worth while to reclaim this as I only earned around £48/week on average? I'm very confused and no-one from HMRC can seem to give me a straight answer.

[cathfromsaron]

as an employee, national insurance is determined by what you earn in one week NOT over the year! it cannot be reclaimed!

[nessi]

Thank you! But do you know if it would still count as a 'qualifying year' - so that it counts as a year out of the 30 needed towards a state pension?

[Hopkirk]

How early do want to retire?

[nessi]

I would consider continuing to work after retirement age if I was still enjoying it.

[ummmm]

If I remember correctly students don't have to pay tax and NI on part time wages.

[ojread2]

not sure where you heard that ummm

http://www.direct.gov...OrCollege/DG_10035694

[THECORBYLOON]

For the tax year 2011/12, you would have needed to have earnt £5,304 for that year to count as a Qualifying Year. Folk can pay voluntary contributions to make up shortfalls in particular years and it is normally limited to no more than six years ago but due to all the faffing about wi the changes in retirement ages, that has been extended.