Questions about credit cards and national insurance numbers

I'm not sure both these questions belong in money matters, but here goes anyway....

As I'm retired I had assumed I didn't need to apply for a national insurance number - is this correct?  Other than for getting a job, is there another reason(s) to apply for one?

Now that I've been here a year, I'd intended to apply for a UK credit card knowing I need to start out with a beginners card in order to establish credit here - but I'm not so sure I need to bother.  I realize this is a personal decision, but I wonder if anyone has advice I hadn't considered. 

I have a US credit card and a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, neither have been a problem to use here.  I also have a UK current account with a debit card that I use when I want the funds to come out of that account.  I always pay off my credit card each month so really, for me, the debit card is as handy as a credit card.  At my age (rapidly approaching 60) there are no plans to obtain a mortgage or take out loans here in the UK (or the US for that matter), and my husband feels exactly the same.  Is there something I'm not considering in regards to establishing UK credit through the use of a UK credit card?

It's getting to the point where I'm so form phobic that the avoidance of any application forms is a really good thing....   

(just kidding - mostly  )

I'm not sure about needing an NI number if you are not working or eligible for the state pension.  I guess by now you already have an NHS number.

As for the credit card I would probably get one unless I had to pay an annual fee. Credit reports are used for many things and while you may not envision ever needing a decent credit score you never know what the future will bring.

I'm not sure about needing an NI number if you are not working or eligible for the state pension.  I guess by now you already have an NHS number.

As for the credit card I would probably get one unless I had to pay an annual fee. Credit reports are used for many things and while you may not envision ever needing a decent credit score you never know what the future will bring.

Thanks!  Yes, I have an NHS number, so I'm all set there.  I had ignored the NIN thinking it didn't really apply to me, but thought I should probably find out for sure.

Good point about getting a credit card.  Should I suddenly find myself needing a good UK credit score, it would be far better to have established one beforehand.  Not exactly something you can get quickly. 

Another reason for getting and using a UK credit card rather than a US card or a debit card.  This explains the protection you get when purchasing items over £100 pounds

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/credit-cards/guide-to-credit-card-protection/

You can get extras as well Barclaycard gives cashback and the Tesco cards give you points.

When you pay your UK tax, HMRC should be assigning you a NI number if you don't already have one.

As for a UK credit card, it might be good to have one for travel.  In addition, you need one if you're ever going to have a UK kindle, or buy digital music from Amazon!   

Another reason for getting and using a UK credit card rather than a US card or a debit card.  This explains the protection you get when purchasing items over £100 pounds

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/credit-cards/guide-to-credit-card-protection/

You can get extras as well Barclaycard gives cashback and the Tesco cards give you points.

Good points and exactly why I started this thread - I knew there were other considerations to consider (  ).  Thanks for the link. 

When you pay your UK tax, HMRC should be assigning you a NI number if you don't already have one.

As for a UK credit card, it might be good to have one for travel.  In addition, you need one if you're ever going to have a UK kindle, or buy digital music from Amazon!   

At this point I'm below the UK income tax filing bar, but I'm sure that won't always be the case.  Sounds like when I need a NIN I'll be given one without having to apply separately - true?

LOL - Nothing much more important than my kindle! (It was probably the reason my husband and I met)  So far I'm still using my US kindle, but that too will probably change  eventually.   

At this point I'm below the UK income tax filing bar, but I'm sure that won't always be the case.  Sounds like when I need a NIN I'll be given one without having to apply separately - true?

LOL - Nothing much more important than my kindle! (It was probably the reason my husband and I met)  So far I'm still using my US kindle, but that too will probably change  eventually.

yes, I was given a NIN without asking separately for one when I paid my UK tax.

If you are still buying kindle books from the US, amazon may tell you at some point that you need to switch over to the amazon UK store.  If you want to use one-click ordering, or order from your kindle directly, they may require a credit card with a UK address.

If you are still buying kindle books from the US, amazon may tell you at some point that you need to switch over to the amazon UK store.  If you want to use one-click ordering, or order from your kindle directly, they may require a credit card with a UK address.

I've been wondering about that, particularly since I'm such an avid purchaser of goods from Amazon.co.uk (where I use my US cc or UK debit card depending on exchange rate).  For now though, I'm just doing what I've always done...

...until forced to do something different.   

When moving back to the UK in April, Lloyds didn't seem to anxious to give us a credit card. Now that we have been here 6 month.....and buying a house....and paying bills it's probably time to try again. We had just been using the debit card instead of credit card. We "only" had 2 credit cards in the US and have closed my American Express (regardless of the consequences) and still have the VISA but never use it.

Best thing I've done is convert my USD American Express Card into a GBP card.  Highly recommend it!

It would have been easier if I'd applied for an American Express card prior to moving here, but instead I have a Discover card which I haven't seen accepted anywhere yet - at least not up here in the Northeast England area.  So I don't have that option anymore - drat it!

So far I really like having easy access to both USD and GBP so I can decide which one is more favorable...  although, in all honesty, I don't bother thinking much about exchange rates unless it's a big purchase. 

Thank you all so much for the feedback, it really helps to hear from those with prior experience.  I'll go ahead and apply for a UK credit card.... even though this first one will probably have training wheels.