What are National Insurance credits?

What are National Insurance credits? | National Insurance if you work abroad

What are National Insurance credits?

National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. This can assist taxpayers to build up the amount of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions which can increase the amount of benefits a person is entitled to, such as the State Pension.

For example, National Insurance credits may be available to:

  • those looking for work,
  • who are ill, disabled or on sick pay,
  • on maternity or paternity leave,
  • caring for someone or
  • on jury service.

Depending on the circumstances, National Insurance credits may be applied automatically or an application for credits may be required. There are two types of National Insurance credits available, either Class 1 or Class 3. Class 3 credits count towards the State Pension and certain bereavement benefits, whilst Class 1 covers these as well as other benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.

There are usually no National Insurance credits available to the self-employed required to pay Class 2 National Insurance, nor for older married women who chose to pay a reduced rate of National Insurance (pre-April 1977).

For more information, Book a Free Consultation

Our Offices

Makesworth Accountants in Harrow

Unit-101, First Floor,
Cervantes House, 5-9 Headstone Road,,
Harrow, London HA1 1PD
United Kingdom (UK)
Phone: 020 7993 8850
Fax: 020 7183 5320
Email: info@makesworth.co.uk
See also  Employing staff for the first time

Need Accountancy Support?

For information on bespoke training, or if you have any other questions for Makesworth Accountant, please fill in your details below

Accountancy Support

Your Name(Required)

Proud to be featured in

Happy with our services? Please leave us a Google Review. Click here