Should I top up my son’s national insurance contributions?
One of our experts answers a reader's question.
27th May 2020 15:47
Q
“My 28-year-old son has some incomplete years of national insurance contributions (NICs). I am wondering if I should top them up for him using voluntary NICs so that he will get the full state pension.
I know he can only top up the past six years, but I have also read it may not be worth it. I am happy to help him financially, but only if it will benefit him."
From: JD/via email
A
At this early stage in his working life, your son does not need to worry about topping up his state pension as he has plenty of time to build up his entitlement.
In order to get a full state pension under current rules, you need to have paid or received credits for national insurance for 36 years. As your son has at least 40 years to go until he reaches the proposed state pension age, there is no benefit in making voluntary contributions at this stage.
Making voluntary national insurance contributions
The amount of state pension you receive depends on your national insurance contributions (NICs). This is a tax taken from your salary alongside income tax.
If you have not built up a full state pension entitlement during your working lifetime, then it is possible to pay voluntary NICs to boost your state pension. You can only buy NICs to cover gaps in your national insurance record from the past six years. Also be aware that it may not always increase your state pension, so speak to the Future Pensions Centre (visit www.gov.uk/future-pension-centre or phone 0800 731 0175) before making any payments.
The cost of voluntary NICs depends on the year you want to pay for. The weekly rate is £13.90 for 2014/15; £14.25 for 2017/18; £14.65 for 2018/19; and £15 for 2019/20.
Michelle Cracknell is former chief executive of the Pensions Advisory Service.
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This article was originally published in our sister magazine Moneywise, which ceased publication in August 2020.
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