Service Personnel Command Paper

NI credits for partners accompanying Service personnel overseas. 

From 6 April 2010 Service spouses and civil partners will be able to claim National Insurance credits, to maintain their National Insurance record, for time spent accompanying their spouse or civil partner on an overseas assignment.These National Insurance credits will protect entitlement to the basic state pension and contribution-based social security benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance. All spouses and civil partners overseas are encouraged to apply for credits at the end of an overseas assignment. Nationality or citizenship does not affect entitlement to these National Insurance credits, but spouses and civil partners must have a UK National Insurance Number. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has agreed a fast-track process for assessing the eligibility to, and issue of, a National Insurance Number to Service spouses or civil partners without a UK National Insurance Number applying for National Insurance credits. National Insurance credits applications must be validated against information held on JPA by a Unit Welfare Officer or Unit Families Officer or equivalent before submission to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the applicant.This cross-government initiative between MOD, HMRC and DWP forms part of the overall commitment to support Service families set out in the Service Personnel Command Paper, 'The Nation's Commitment to the Armed Forces', published in July 2008.For further information please see the DWP website access via the External Link >>>>>>>

Service Personnel Command Paper Team

Ministry of Defence

Level 7, Zone J,

MOD Main Building

Whitehall

London SW1A 2HB

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