Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
#316
#317
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
Ok, I’ll hold up my hands, I’m clueless about all this. I have however been making my class 2 contributions since I moved out here. Pretty sure I always get the letter around April with the amount I need to pay and how to pay it, but this year, I’ve had nothing. I assume everyone else that was expecting a letter have had theirs this year?
#318
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,858
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I have not received a letter, online it says I need to pay $5x.xx by 5 April 2025, what amount is on the letter for class 2, all the other years I paid we’re closer to GBP150-160 range depending on which year. I assume my amount is because I have a partial credit, but because it’s a much lower rate for that tax year?
#319
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,858
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I have not received a letter, online it says I need to pay $5x.xx by 5 April 2025, what amount is on the letter for class 2, all the other years I paid we’re closer to GBP150-160 range depending on which year. I assume my amount is because I have a partial credit, not because it’s a much lower rate for that tax year, it only shows as 48 weeks, but that still does not explain the difference.
#320
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I have not received a letter, online it says I need to pay $5x.xx by 5 April 2025, what amount is on the letter for class 2, all the other years I paid we’re closer to GBP150-160 range depending on which year. I assume my amount is because I have a partial credit, not because it’s a much lower rate for that tax year, it only shows as 48 weeks, but that still does not explain the difference.
#321
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
This is a sample from my recent 'catchup' letter. It shows (column 3) that the amount due varies slightly, and it's this variation that makes it so you can't just submit a payment ... I presume. If you submit an amount 3 GBP lower, or higher, than needed for that year, presumably your payment could be rejected.
Which reminds me - I need to call them to find out the amount for 2019-20, and ... perhaps ... get the secret code so I can tie my online payment to my specific account.
Which reminds me - I need to call them to find out the amount for 2019-20, and ... perhaps ... get the secret code so I can tie my online payment to my specific account.
#322
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,858
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
This is a sample from my recent 'catchup' letter. It shows (column 3) that the amount due varies slightly, and it's this variation that makes it so you can't just submit a payment ... I presume. If you submit an amount 3 GBP lower, or higher, than needed for that year, presumably your payment could be rejected.
Which reminds me - I need to call them to find out the amount for 2019-20, and ... perhaps ... get the secret code so I can tie my online payment to my specific account.
Which reminds me - I need to call them to find out the amount for 2019-20, and ... perhaps ... get the secret code so I can tie my online payment to my specific account.
I was sending them in 2 batches, this happened both times, the 2nd call they asked if I had called when I sent the payment to note which year it was for ( I had not either time)... the fact each payment matched an amount on the letter and it would make logical sense to pay the older years first apparently is not how they operate.
I only owe the last year now, so I assume if I send each year it can only be allocated to that year. It shows a partial amount so I will send that first to see if it completes the year.
#323
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I've checked, and discovered that I have 34 years of contributions. It will cost me $761.80 to make it up to the maximum amount of £175.20, compared to the current quote of £171.08 per week. This is the maximum I can receive, since I opted out for a number of years and had some contributions made into a personal pension plan.
#324
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,158
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I've checked, and discovered that I have 34 years of contributions. It will cost me $761.80 to make it up to the maximum amount of £175.20, compared to the current quote of £171.08 per week. This is the maximum I can receive, since I opted out for a number of years and had some contributions made into a personal pension plan.
#325
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I've checked, and discovered that I have 34 years of contributions. It will cost me $761.80 to make it up to the maximum amount of £175.20, compared to the current quote of £171.08 per week. This is the maximum I can receive, since I opted out for a number of years and had some contributions made into a personal pension plan. ....
If you qualify for Class 2 you can cut the £762 down to about £145.
#326
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 108
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
I got my letter too, confirming I could pay 159 pds for current year. I didnt realize I would get a letter after arranging to back pay 4 years last year. I was expecting I would need to call them to find out the amount I would need to pay, I think I am 3 or 4 years away from the max. Letter arrived out of the blue with all the payment info - all paid - easy.
#327
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
At least there is a link to pay class 2 online, I haven't found a link to pay the £762 they want me to cough up.
#328
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
From what I see online, Class 2 contributions are for the self employed. I don't see how I can register to pay that rate, since I'm working, although in the US and not UK.
At least there is a link to pay class 2 online, I haven't found a link to pay the £762 they want me to cough up.
At least there is a link to pay class 2 online, I haven't found a link to pay the £762 they want me to cough up.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 24th 2020 at 8:56 pm.
#329
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,858
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
From what I see online, Class 2 contributions are for the self employed. I don't see how I can register to pay that rate, since I'm working, although in the US and not UK.
At least there is a link to pay class 2 online, I haven't found a link to pay the £762 they want me to cough up.
At least there is a link to pay class 2 online, I haven't found a link to pay the £762 they want me to cough up.
https://assets.publishing.service.go...32814/NI38.pdf
#330
Re: Class 2 NI abolished. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributio
It's a lot more than just self employed, but you need to apply to be assessed for eligibility for Class 2 contributions, and they will send you a brief form to complete. About the only requirement I remember was that you were employed immediately before you left the UK (you have to give your ex-employers name and address), and took up employment "immediately" after you arrived in your new home country (you have to give the name and address of your new employer), but they seem, from what I have heard from others, to be flexible there (after arrival in you new home country) about what "immediately" means.
This page - https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-nationa...-contributions says the following, regarding class 2 and class 3:
Living and working abroad
Class 2 - but only if you worked in the UK immediately before leaving, and you’ve previously lived in the UK for at least 3 years in a row or paid at least 3 years of contributions
Living abroad but not working
Class 3 - but only if at some point you’ve lived in the UK for at least 3 years in a row or paid at least 3 years of contributions
Best bargain ever!
Last edited by Steerpike; Jun 24th 2020 at 9:24 pm.