Just a FYI, As your birthday is in May your State Pension Age will be later as it’s increasing for anyone born after April 6 1960. In your case it won’t be too much longer though.

thank you for replying WOW is the age not gonna be 66 anymore.
on the the webpage it says your payment will start on 21st July at 88 pond a week.
it also says I’ve got 82 pound ?I take it I have to give them a years payment at 905 pound.
to bring it up to the 88 pound .Hope that makes sense lol

No, the state pension age ( SPA) is gradually increasing next year. Based on your reply I’m presuming you were born after 6th May , so your SPA 66 years plus 2 months.
Are you paying a voluntary National Insurance contribution? £905 sounds like class 3. I paid some at Class 2 rate to increase mine pension.

hi
yes I’m 66 on May 21st.and I havnt made any payments towards my pension.and the webpage says my pension starts July 21st.
does that sound about right,
aparently I have to wait four months before I call them.
not to sure if it’s 4 months before my 21 st may or 21st June.
Not looking forward to these phone calls lol.
thank you for replying

You are very welcome, glad it was of use to you.

I called them (I signed up for and paid for 'overseas calls' on my cell phone for 1 month, it was cheaper than running up the bill to an overseas number as the 'holding time' can be quite lengthy) and they asked me basically what is on the form - so I could read out most of it without having to think about it. I had also written down where I last worked in the UK and other info so I didn't forget it or have to search for it when I called. They sent me a letter to tell me how much I would be getting (I had already used the website so had an idea of what it would be) and when they would start to send payment.

You have a choice as to whether you want to be paid every 13 weeks or every 4 weeks. You can also opt for the date you want the pension payment to start from. I had deferred applying as it increased the amount I got - and then they backdated the payment by 12 months which was a nice bonus to get. https://www.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension

It's £230ish a week for a full pension, so might be worth asking about making the maximum amount of contributions and seeing if you can increase it - particularly if you can pay Class 2 (~£180 a year, rather than £905). It would pay for itself in no time.

Edit: then again, just watched the budget - no more Class 2 for expats, but not sure when that will come in to affect.

I just seen on a UK State Pension Facebook page it will change 6 April 2026. Also have to have 10 years contributions to be able to top up.

QUOTE=christmasoompa;13331243]It's £230ish a week for a full pension, so might be worth asking about making the maximum amount of contributions and seeing if you can increase it - particularly if you can pay Class 2 (~£180 a year, rather than £905). It would pay for itself in no time.

Edit: then again, just watched the budget - no more Class 2 for expats, but not sure when that will come in to affect.[/QUOTE]

thank you for the reply Christmasoompa
on the website it says I can buy back six years and it says 905 pounds for them all .
maybe I can wait to apply when the class 2 comes into effect.and purchase the six years .it als says my maximum pension could be 124 pound per week.
that would be really good if it all worked out I feel a bit of ease now with all the advice and recommendations.
thanks a million
Rob

[/QUOTE]
Thank you once again Reidies for all your help and advice I have a real good idea what I need to do now.
it would be awesome if I could buy back six yrs at class two.
Cheers👍
Rob

Yes, unfortunately you have just missed the chance to buy back more years to give you nearer the max. But £905 for 6 years? Then that is Class 2. So make sure you pay well before April, as above that is being taken away from expats then.

That's what they've offered you from what you've said - grab that opportunity whilst you still can!

I think I typed my last message wrong sorry.
they offered me on the website to buy back six yrs at 905 pounds for each yr that’s roughly 5.500 pounds .
i take it that’s class 2 if i could get class 3 at the lower rate that would be lower right ?
it’s to soon to call now anyway isn’t it ? as i can’t call to soon before my birthday on 21st May.
thank you for your patience

[£905 is class 3 and that’s the default on the website . Class 2 is significantly lower but you have to apply to HMRC for that to see if you meet the criteria. If you haven’t done that it would be worth doing so now and not delay.


QUOTE=yakkiebush;13331375]I think I typed my last message wrong sorry.
they offered me on the website to buy back six yrs at 905 pounds for each yr that’s roughly 5.500 pounds .
i take it that’s class 2 if i could get class 3 at the lower rate that would be lower right ?
it’s to soon to call now anyway isn’t it ? as i can’t call to soon before my birthday on 21st May.
thank you for your patience[/QUOTE]

If you made maximum contributions, your weekly payment should be £230.25 (GBP) per week. If you did not make maximum contributions, then the amount should be pro rated.

For those who are making voluntary contributions, in order to prop up the UK economy, Class 2 contributions will no longer be allowed after April 2026 and only Class 3 contributions will be permissible so top up now while you can at the lower rate.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...rom-april-2026