Voluntary National Insurance contributions
Jul 15th 2016, 8:53 pm
#46
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
Hi chook, would it be worth getting a pension forecast, even if you already have one? My reason for suggesting this is, as well as the amount of pension you'll receive based on your NI record to date, there's another section, tailored to your circumstances, that tells you the ways you can increase your contributions.
Jul 16th 2016, 2:26 am
#47
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I called about voluntary contributions in April this year and they told me about going back 10 years. I won't retire until after 2030.the 10 years didn't apply as I left in 2008.just call them, they are normally very helpful.
Jul 16th 2016, 2:24 pm
#48
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
Hi chook, would it be worth getting a pension forecast, even if you already have one? My reason for suggesting this is, as well as the amount of pension you'll receive based on your NI record to date, there's another section, tailored to your circumstances, that tells you the ways you can increase your contributions.
Looks like I will be on the phone Monday 
Jul 16th 2016, 2:28 pm
#49
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
Yep, will do. Always a hassle calling from Florida as the connection is never good from my cell (we have chucked the landline). But no worries. For an extra few quid in my dotage, I'll make it work.
Jul 16th 2016, 11:42 pm
#50
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Location: Nebraska by the Sea
Posts: 987
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I would sign up for one of Skypes monthly plans cheaper than paying cell phone rates. Then you can sit on hold for hours. Although my own experience of calling this service is very positive. Never been on hold for more than 5/ 10 minutes.
Jul 17th 2016, 12:16 am
#51
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I have lyca mobile, so I get virtually unlimited calls to the UK
Jul 17th 2016, 2:53 am
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,009
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
As far as pension question , IF I understand the posts and brochure I received when I asked for Pension statement, I can pay in Class 3 contributions which will add to number of years credited. I keep seeing references online that it isn't that clear but that is what brochure seems to say.
Jul 17th 2016, 4:55 am
#53
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I use Skype for same reason when calling Overseas, and even have on occasion used it via my cell phone as well.
As far as pension question , IF I understand the posts and brochure I received when I asked for Pension statement, I can pay in Class 3 contributions which will add to number of years credited. I keep seeing references online that it isn't that clear but that is what brochure seems to say.
As far as pension question , IF I understand the posts and brochure I received when I asked for Pension statement, I can pay in Class 3 contributions which will add to number of years credited. I keep seeing references online that it isn't that clear but that is what brochure seems to say.
I still prefer my cell plan for $17.50/month for unlimited US and UK calls. I also get data and unlimited global text.
Last edited by mrken30; Jul 17th 2016 at 4:58 am.
Jul 17th 2016, 7:03 am
#54
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 1,654
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I was not going to phone from here in UK as it is one of those expensive premium numbers so I emailed them for a forcast and got standard email back that I could only get forcast a few months before I retire which was as helpful as a chocolate teapot! On paying the new Class 3 since 2 stopped this year I was advised it was not worth paying in for the remaining 5 years to get a little more back monthly. Has anyone written to them and got a forcast and is there a different email or normal phone number for them?
Jul 17th 2016, 11:49 am
#55
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
We actually have a good plan at 4 cents/minute. It's just the quality of the call that is frustrating. I'm sure it will be fine. Thanks for the suggestions though!
Jul 17th 2016, 11:50 am
#56
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I was not going to phone from here in UK as it is one of those expensive premium numbers so I emailed them for a forcast and got standard email back that I could only get forcast a few months before I retire which was as helpful as a chocolate teapot! On paying the new Class 3 since 2 stopped this year I was advised it was not worth paying in for the remaining 5 years to get a little more back monthly. Has anyone written to them and got a forcast and is there a different email or normal phone number for them?
Jul 17th 2016, 4:11 pm
#57
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I was not going to phone from here in UK as it is one of those expensive premium numbers so I emailed them for a forcast and got standard email back that I could only get forcast a few months before I retire which was as helpful as a chocolate teapot! On paying the new Class 3 since 2 stopped this year I was advised it was not worth paying in for the remaining 5 years to get a little more back monthly. Has anyone written to them and got a forcast and is there a different email or normal phone number for them?
Their contact number is +44 191 218 3600, Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Jul 20th 2016, 10:14 pm
#58
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
I checked my pension online, would that be of help?
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension
You have to set it up, they give you a number to input so you can access it over and over, so write the number down, and you confirm your ID with things like your passport number.
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension
You have to set it up, they give you a number to input so you can access it over and over, so write the number down, and you confirm your ID with things like your passport number.
Jul 26th 2016, 7:52 pm
#59
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
To recap. For each year you have made contributions up to 35 you qualify for a pension of £200 a year from retirment, index linked. So a catch up year of class 3 contributions costing around £600 would be worthwhile if you collected a pension for 3 or more years, and a catch up year costing around £150 would be worthwhile if you collected a pension for just 9 months.
Which to me means, unless you have some horrible disease, bargain, a very decent investment.
Is that right?
Which to me means, unless you have some horrible disease, bargain, a very decent investment.
Is that right?
Oct 30th 2016, 7:43 pm
#60
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,009
Re: Voluntary National Insurance contributions
It depends a bit on (a) whether 7000 quid is lot of money to you and (b) how long you hope to live and [c] do you have other sources of pension income which make the State pension trivial to you?
Right now, your pension will be effectively zero (unless you do get a job and get ahead of the new minimum 10 years of contributions) The new full pension amount is supposed to be 150x52=7800 pounds a year, index linked.
So for 7000 you're financing the first 11 months yourself.
ETA: Is your username where you're from? I was there this afternoon.
Right now, your pension will be effectively zero (unless you do get a job and get ahead of the new minimum 10 years of contributions) The new full pension amount is supposed to be 150x52=7800 pounds a year, index linked.
So for 7000 you're financing the first 11 months yourself.
ETA: Is your username where you're from? I was there this afternoon.