Originally Posted by Jimbo9

Also you have to be an Aussie resident for 10yrs before qualifying for a Aus pension - From the fco website

Frozen Pensions

The UK pays about 800,000 pensions overseas. In those countries where no bilateral agreement exists to up-rate pensions, including Australia, they are frozen at the time of immigration: 205,000 UK pensioners live in Australia. Of these, 70% qualify for an Australian age pension, either through residency in Australia, or under the former bilateral social security agreement. In those cases the Australian government pays the difference between the UK frozen rate pension and the Australian age pension. Owing to the high cost of this measure, Australia subsequently abrogated the Bilateral Social Security Agreement in 2001. Existing British pensioners in Australia are not affected; but future British pensioners emigrating to Australia will have to complete the standard 10 years residence before qualifying for an Australian pension. Australian pensioners in the UK will be similarly affected. The abrogation also affects entitlements for those travelling between the two countries to welfare payments such as unemployment and invalidity benefits.

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

I've got just over 10 years National insurance contributions paid in the UK, "I think" Having Started work in August 1970, and having Left the UK in September 1980. Is it worth while me paying any missing NI Contributions now, (if there are any) and how and who do I contact for this.

I suppose the main question is it worth going through, what looks like a lengthy process, what benefit is there to me, of qualifying for the UK pension after 26 years here in Aussie ?

I've just spent an hour looking through the UK pension site, getting myself totally confused. So hopefully someone can fast track me on this.