Credit of earnings
1189.In certain circumstances a person may be credited with earnings to help them get a retirement pension if they do not have enough earnings in a tax year to reach the level needed to make it a qualifying year. Men with no liability to pay Class 1 or Class 2 contributions may be credited automatically for the tax years in which they reach 60 and the four succeeding years. From 6th April 2010 this arrangement will be extended to women. Young people can get credits for the tax year in which they reach age 16 and the two following years. There are conditions attached to the receipt of credits and the availability of a credit does not mean a person does not have to pay National Insurance contributions if their earnings exceed the employees’ primary threshold. Earnings are not credited to married women who have a reduced contribution liability.