LETTERS BEING SENT OUT IF YOU ARE OVER 35 AND HAVE A GAP IN YOUR NATIONAL INSURANCE RECORD

01 November 2010

 

If you do not have enough National Insurance contributions or credits for the 2008-09 tax year HMRC may send you a 'Gap in your National Insurance record' letter telling you that the year will not count towards your basic State Pension and certain bereavement benefits. The letter explains how you can pay voluntary NICs to make the year count. Letters will start to be issued from 23 September.

 

In response to customer feedback the letters will be better targeted this year, therefore, not everyone who has a gap in their National insurance contributions record will receive a gap letter. If you have a gap in your record and don't receive a letter you can still pay voluntary contributions.

 

Subject to certain exceptions, letters will be issued to people who are aged 35 or over at 6 April 2010 and who have not already built up the 30 'qualifying years' needed to get a full basic State Pension.  You can find out more about how you qualify for the State Pension by following this link.