Yorkieabroad

I think the most "behind" I've ever been is 2 years....Maybe I need to become a squeaky wheel by letting some arrears pile up!

thinbrit

I pay mine by International Bank Draft, which is pricey at $40, but convenient. I have the Inland Revenue setup as a regular payee in my online banking account, and just send the amount electronically when I receive my 'bill' each year. Their bank charges £1.70 to receive the payment, so I make sure I cover that fee, and that the net deposit matches the bill exactly.

On the draft, I include my N.I. number etc as directed, but I always print my draft receipt and mail it with the 'bill' back to England, and check the box that requests a paper receipt be mailed back to me.

$40 is not the cheapest method, but it is by far the most convenient for me.

durham_lad

You are unlucky, I also get a letter each year detailing the coming 12 payments that will debited from my UK bank account. Letter arrives sometime before April 5th

Jerseygirl

My husband paid his via direct debit from our UK Nat. West account.

hutchiebug

I am over 60, but still working here in U.S. I was told I can't pay any more years in arrears; but am I still able to make voluntary NI contributions until I retire here?

Thanks!

thinbrit

Probably worth a call or email to find out what options, if any, are available to you:

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad

markonline1

I didn't know you could claim a pension once you moved abroad. So having been paying NI for around 20 years, I assume it's worth me paying whilst over here to claim my pension when I retire? I obviously need to look a lot further into this.

durham_lad

Definitely worth it imo

markonline1

I agree. I didn't even know you could do this. I wondered what would happen to all that money I had paid in. Good old BE!

thinbrit

It is a gamble, but one currently worth taking. They can, and do, change the law at any time.
Most recently they upped the amount of years of NI contributions required for a full pension, and also changed, or are in the process of changing, the law so my US born wife is not entitled to a UK pension based on my contributions.

MsElui

what kind of sums of money are we talking about here?

robin1234

I just paid my annual Class 2 NIC, £140.40. Last year it was £137.80.

temple

And the current maximum pension is about 120 pounds a week - or about $800/month. Each individual may also be entitled to an additional SERPS payment - this is all detailed on a statement summary which can be obtained by contacting HMRC.

It's also my understanding that this amount is completely pro-rated - based on the number of contributory years. In short one (currently) need 30 years of contributions to max out, but if you only have 20 then you are eligible for 2/3 of the max amount.

"Buying" additional years at approx 140 pounds each would seem to be a wise move.

MsElui

oooh that sounds reasonable. and i could already have 20 years contributed! so maybe not so bad!

MsElui

so all those making annual payments - this is just to take you up to 30 years worth in total? once you have 30 years accrued there is no more need to pay??