Pension Options
#16
Re: Pension Options
Are you sure you're not eligible for Class 2 contributions? The $16k sounds like Class 3.
Class 2 contributions are £3.05 per week = £158.60 per year, times the 13 years shortfall (although obviously only 6 years could be paid now, the rest would be paid going forward, so I'd expect to increase a bit). That would be £2061.80.
And if it would give you an extra £85 per week, you'd break even after about 6 months by my calculations. If so, that's a no brainer IMO, and would be well worth doing.
Class 2 contributions are £3.05 per week = £158.60 per year, times the 13 years shortfall (although obviously only 6 years could be paid now, the rest would be paid going forward, so I'd expect to increase a bit). That would be £2061.80.
And if it would give you an extra £85 per week, you'd break even after about 6 months by my calculations. If so, that's a no brainer IMO, and would be well worth doing.
#17
Re: Pension Options
This is exactly what I meant when I said that everything I had read suggested I would have to pay the higher of the two rates. I made a formal application and my response said I could pay the lower rate so as christmasoompa says, the break even point comes much sooner.
As an EEA resident I could not get class 2, and having done the sums I opted not to go with class 3; less weekly uplift than mentioned above, and much, much longer to achieve break-even for monies paid in.
#18
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Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC (originally from Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire)
Posts: 1,223
Re: Pension Options
Here are the details re: eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-nationa...-contributions
Here's the info for applying for class 2 voluntary NICs: https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-nationa...-contributions
Fill out form CF83 and send it (I enclosed supporting documentation) to the address on the form.
I mailed the form and evidence in late June and received the letter back in late September (when I looked online on my Government Gateway account it showed that they received it the first week of August and processed complete the last week of August. Their letter to me was dated first week of September)
If they approve you, you can then send the payment for previous years and arrange to make payments going forwards (if applicable/necessary).
I just sent the payment for the past 11 years of class 2 contributions (@ approx 160 pounds per year) from my Canadian bank account to HMRC about a week ago using Transferwise.
Seems like a great deal to me!
Here's the info for applying for class 2 voluntary NICs: https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-nationa...-contributions
Fill out form CF83 and send it (I enclosed supporting documentation) to the address on the form.
I mailed the form and evidence in late June and received the letter back in late September (when I looked online on my Government Gateway account it showed that they received it the first week of August and processed complete the last week of August. Their letter to me was dated first week of September)
If they approve you, you can then send the payment for previous years and arrange to make payments going forwards (if applicable/necessary).
I just sent the payment for the past 11 years of class 2 contributions (@ approx 160 pounds per year) from my Canadian bank account to HMRC about a week ago using Transferwise.
Seems like a great deal to me!
#19
Re: Pension Options
Screen print of the being abroad parts:
I was (am) living abroad (obviously ) but not working and it says Class 3 (the more expensive ones) only.
As a former civil servant in DSS/DWP used to reading official booklets for public information and official reference manuals that staff worked to, I was always aware that actual law sometimes threw up different bits of information that would override those manuals.
So I assume this is something similar because even if you ignore the fact of me being abroad, the only other situation in that table that I could be in is unemployed and not claiming benefits and that one says Class 3 too.
#20
Re: Pension Options
It doesn't seem to be. Being employed seems important
Screen print of the being abroad parts:
I was (am) living abroad (obviously ) but not working and it says Class 3 (the more expensive ones) only.
As a former civil servant in DSS/DWP used to reading official booklets for public information and official reference manuals that staff worked to, I was always aware that actual law sometimes threw up different bits of information that would override those manuals.
So I assume this is something similar because even if you ignore the fact of me being abroad, the only other situation in that table that I could be in is unemployed and not claiming benefits and that one says Class 3 too.
Screen print of the being abroad parts:
I was (am) living abroad (obviously ) but not working and it says Class 3 (the more expensive ones) only.
As a former civil servant in DSS/DWP used to reading official booklets for public information and official reference manuals that staff worked to, I was always aware that actual law sometimes threw up different bits of information that would override those manuals.
So I assume this is something similar because even if you ignore the fact of me being abroad, the only other situation in that table that I could be in is unemployed and not claiming benefits and that one says Class 3 too.
Last edited by BuckinghamshireBoy; Oct 18th 2020 at 11:20 pm. Reason: Fixed the purple link.
#21
Re: Pension Options
Ok, point taken, but drill down on the purple hyperlink, then it becomes less obvious...
From my Canada perspective it doesn't change.
Sorry, I don't mean to be disinterested in the EU aspect - or is that uninterested, I never know the difference - I'm just focusing on Piff Poff's calculation based on the website saying class 3 would apply when she may, like I was, be allowed to pay class 2 which is a lot less.
#22
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Pension Options
See page 9 - opens in new tab: https://assets.publishing.service.go...32814/NI38.pdf
#23
Re: Pension Options
Do you mean from an EU perspective?
From my Canada perspective it doesn't change.
Sorry, I don't mean to be disinterested in the EU aspect - or is that uninterested, I never know the difference - I'm just focusing on Piff Poff's calculation based on the website saying class 3 would apply when she may, like I was, be allowed to pay class 2 which is a lot less.
From my Canada perspective it doesn't change.
Sorry, I don't mean to be disinterested in the EU aspect - or is that uninterested, I never know the difference - I'm just focusing on Piff Poff's calculation based on the website saying class 3 would apply when she may, like I was, be allowed to pay class 2 which is a lot less.
#24
Re: Pension Options
I haven't bothered topping up the UK. Wife has 2 year short of max and myself 10 years short. Who's to say it will even be there in 10 years when I'm eligible or whether the goal posts have been shifted by whatever Tory scumbag is in charge.
#25
Re: Pension Options
Could well be the case, but certainly for your wife I'd be tempted to take a punt for £300 as she'd make that back in only 2.5 weeks of claiming a full pension! Might be worth doing the sums to see what difference it would make, if you could pay Class 2.
#27
Re: Pension Options
I've sent a request off for some help. It's all become a little more interesting to work out as my husband is currently in CCU with heart issues. He only went in for a CT scan...
#29
Re: Pension Options
They have managed to get his blood pressure down it was 284 over 173 for a while there and every time they started to bring it down he would throw up. He has just been diagnosed with hereditary cardiomyopathy and thats why he was in for a scan. Apparently one side of his heart is working at 30%. It's very worrying but he is in the best place. He looked so much better today and he is hungry.
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Near Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 1,316
Re: Pension Options
They have managed to get his blood pressure down it was 284 over 173 for a while there and every time they started to bring it down he would throw up. He has just been diagnosed with hereditary cardiomyopathy and thats why he was in for a scan. Apparently one side of his heart is working at 30%. It's very worrying but he is in the best place. He looked so much better today and he is hungry.