The Department of Work and Pensions has sent me a pension forecast which shows I’ve already paid enough national insurance contributions over the 44 years of my working life to receive the full state pension. Do I have to carry on paying class 2 NICs?
You must pay class 2 NICs if you are self-employed and have not yet achieved state retirement age, which is currently 65 for men and 60 for women. As you have already worked for 44 years you must be very close to the state retirement age. You don’t have to pay class 2 NICs from the week you reach the state retirement age. Alternatively if your self-employed earnings are below the small earnings limit, (£4,635 for 2007/08) you can claim an exemption from paying NICs for the tax year.
