Jo-Chris

Just a quick question ....

Is it worth carrying on paying NI contributions while living in NZ? I heard it is worth doing so you get full UK state pension when the time comes (only 28 at the moment!)

Do any of you do this or know people who do?

Any help appreciated

Welsh Jay

Very interesting... But isn't NI wokred out as a % of your salary / income?? about 6%??... You may need an income in the UK for this to work??... is this the case?

Jo-Chris

I think you can pay Class 3 NI contributions to fill a gap / top up if you do not earn enough - which will be the case as we will be living in NZ and not working in UK

This is off Wikipedia:

Class 3 contributions are voluntary NICs paid by people that wish to fill a gap in their contributions record which has arisen either by not working or by their earnings being too low. The main reason for paying Class 3 NICs is to ensure that a person's contribution record is preserved to provide entitlement to the state pension. Generally a woman currently needs 10 years of contributions and a man 11 years for a minimum state pension. In certain cases (e.g. parents and carers) fewer years may be required.

Has anyone done this / doing this?

Welsh Jay

Hmmmmmmmm... Worth lookig into... Alltough the state pension may not last as long as we need it too to cash in lol... That would be a real bugger aye!!

lapsed kiwi

Remember you can't get double pension - ie once you qualify for a full NZ pension, you will get no benefit from your UK one. So if you're planning to stay in NZ, there is probably no benefit from paying UK NI

sary

You can pay voluntary contributions. See the www.hmrc.gov.uk

I did phone up and ask as I already have lots of gaps in my NI contributions and now will have more. But I was told that the rules have recently changed for women and you only need 30 years contributions to gain a full state pension.

So if I go back to Blighty I should be alright as I have lots of years of work ahead of me yet!!

Best thing to do is phone the HMRC and ask!

Jo-Chris

Thanks for the advice sary - where are you in Devonshire? We are in Exeter.

sary

Hey Jo-Chris,

I am in wet/sunny/wet Plymouth at the moment, although leaving next week for NZ

I am looking forward to less people so much right now!! Tis a bit busy on the wet days when everyone comes off the beach and into Plymouth!