Perth

Because it is so much less, I would try for Class 2. The worse that can happen is that they refuse and you end up paying Class 3. In my case, we had a small business, but all I sent as proof was a business card.

morpeth

Thanks .

BristolUK

That's why I left it to them.

They are fully aware of my employed status in the UK (the DWP themselves, as it happens) right up to when I left the UK so definitely no s/e in the UK.

Looking at the form CA5603, I note it asks about non employment as well as unemployment periods.

It's almost as if non employment qualifies for the lower rate while unemployment doesn't. That or they're being nice to me coz I worked for them.

boingboing

Hi, new to this board.

Recently got a pension forecast from the Government's Gateway and finally found out what additional contributions I need to make to get the new full state pension.

I worked freelance overseas in the country I still live in and applied for Class 2 NI contributions which continued until I reached 30 years contribution when I stopped the payments, that was about 9 years ago. Now to get the new state pension in full I need 8 more qualifying years due to the contracted out element when working in the UK. Since 2006 I have been working full-time for the same employer and no longer on a freelance basis. I want to recommence the Class 2 contributions and have the relevant application form.

My question is can I definitely apply for Class 2 contributions and not the more expensive Class 3? I also intend to pay for the last 6 years missed payments as allowed so again will that be Class 2 NI contributions?

Davita

Slightly off topic but relevent.
I've received the UK OAP for some years but they sent a letter to my address asking to reply that I'm still alive. I'm on holiday for winter and the letter was waiting at home.
They have now cancelled my pension payments.
I had the letter couriered to me, then had it notarised I'm still alive, and registered it back.
It was tracked as received.... back in Sept but, so far, my pension has not been paid.

I just wondered if this delay is normal. What would be the best way to follow-up...I tried phoning but no-one answers and email is not acknowledged. I could send another registered letter but they haven't dealt with the previous.
Any advice.

angie_329

A bit of a cheek on their part...pensioners may well be abroad at times for extended periods. I would write again, post registered, enclosing a copy of your previous letter and stating you are still waiting for your pension to be reinstated. Keep copies of everything ...

Try phoning a lot too, someone might answer one day!

angie_329

I think you are only eligible for class 2 if you are self employed and possibly filing an annual tax return with that section completed. you may need to re register as self employed if you do any additional consultancy work, even if small in value, or teaching english etc...

MidAtlantic

I'm not sure why you think it is cheek. It is perfectly reasonable as a fraud prevention measure. I know that private pension plans do this also. Surely anyone away for an extended period would make arrangements for their mail to be forwarded or monitored by someone.

Davita

I certainly don't think it wrong to check and I doubt Angie meant that either.
What I was asking was how to contact when they have not responded nor paid me......and it's been nearly 3 months since my registered mail was delivered.
However, I didn't respond to them for 3 months and that's why they suspended payments....they didn't get any "I'm alive!" message so presumed I'd expired.
Maybe I'll wait till the actual 3 months to my pension payment date is up......them take Angies advice and send another registered message and try the phone...it's just an expensive call when on hold for 'one of our representatives..... who's busy.' Do they only have one?

BTW I spend winters in Bali and the mail is not reliable...they lost my tax slips last year and it took me forever to get copies. Now I get my neighbour to take a pic and attach to email...that works.

MidAtlantic

I assume you are aware of these contact methods, including an on-line enquiry link towards the top, but just in case:
https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre

Davita

I didn't have that contact info and I've been receiving the OAP for 14+ years, but never had an issue with them.
That's the kind of info I was hoping for so thank you very much MidAtlantic... appreciated.

MidAtlantic

Happy to help. I hope you can convince them that you are alive and you get your pension again

Pulaski

That's hardly surprising when you're already dead.

Davita

You are so right. They request a notary or someone of importance to verify you are alive but provide NO facility to say you're dead....they just make a presumption...now THAT is cheeky....

not2old

FYI, for anyone or future reference

My wife & I each have received the 'are you still alive' letter twice in the first 3 years we began collecting state pension.

The first one we filled in & mailed, no issues

The second one 18 months after the first one ' I immediately called' 44 (0) 191 218 7777 the overseas pension service line asking 'why are you sending this request again?

Person on the other end mentioned about fraud etc & just to make sure since many folks change address or pass on & we at DWP are not notified.

The agent then proceeded to ask again to confirm who I was, DOB, NI number, address etc. Responded with a 'OK records updated & confirmed', but please mail in the letter anyway.

Passed the phone over to my wife, same Q&A