Married woman's election: paying contributions

Paying contributions as a married woman

If you were married and living in Jersey before 1 April 2001, you can choose to apply for a married woman’s election. This means you can choose whether or not you want to pay contributions.

Choosing not to pay contributions

If you choose not to pay contributions, then:

• your pension will rely on your husband's contribution record (Revenue Jersey will also treat this income as your husband's when you claim married allowance) 
  
• your contributory benefits will be affected (contact us to find out more)
  
• your contributions won’t be deducted from your wages if you work for an employer 
  
• you don’t have to pay Class 2 contributions when you don’t work
  

Applying for a married woman’s election

If you choose not to pay contributions, you must fully understand how your right to claim benefits may be affected.

You may only opt out once from the Social Security scheme. You can choose at any point to opt back in and pay contributions if you have chosen to opt out, this decision will be final. 

You will need to provide your original marriage certificate if we do not have a verified copy on your record already.

Apply to opt out of paying contributions

Changes in circumstances

Tell us as soon as possible if you get divorced or separated.

If your marital status changes, you may have to pay contributions as a single person, even if you chose not to pay as a married woman.