re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

I thought it was the same benefits, you just pay more.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

("It used to be an "excellent" deal, now it's just a "great" deal.")

So it's still a great deal. A more appropriate title for the thread would be "What about us lucky expats paying voluntary contributions?"

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

I agree, even paying Class 3 NI, the flat rate pension is a good deal. I just got my NI bill for 2016/2017 and I imagine it will be the last one at the Class 2 rate..........£148 is a ridiculously low payment for an NI annual credit so it seems only fair the the rate is increased, especially when I have one payment left and I've paid almost all my NI at the Class 2 rate ;)

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

Just had my request through for this years payment. Is there any other way to pay other than by cheque? I don't have a bloomin cheque book and it's a pain having to send paperwork home and get someone to fire off a cheque on my behalf.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

Direct debit.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

Cool. I also found their internet banking details which is perfect. I'll phone em tomorrow to set it up. Cheers.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

I was under the impression that Class 2 NICs came with additional benefits such as jobseekers allowance while Class 3 simply built up the basic state pension.


https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/overview

You get one of these types of credits if you’re eligible:

• Class 1 - these count towards your State Pension, bereavement benefits and some other benefits, for example Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Class 3 - these count towards your State Pension and bereavement benefits only

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

Thank you, that's interesting. I didn't know that.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

I've finally gotten around to looking at my NI statement, paid class 1 NICS up to 2007/2008 and nothing since. I've been over here since 2004 and have been fully employed the whole time. according to the online statement i can pay back ALL the years i missed (more than 6) as long as i do so before Apr 2023. Anyone else familiar with this?
The amounts range from 650-750 pounds/year. So in total it's gonna cost me about 7k to get up to date. I was hoping the amounts would be class 2 (150ish) instead. Anyone know if I can get them changed to class 2 (my circumstances mean i'm eligible) and pay back a lot less to get up to date. or am i too late. Great thread, thanks

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

One part I can answer because I am in same position. I had several years missing, and have until 2023 to catch up. The rates were 620 to 700 pounds per year. If I understand correctly each year paid equals 1/35 of the weekly pension- depends on your age that is quite a good return on investment.

Next year I understand Class 2 for expatriates will be abolished, not sure how to get for prior years but I have seen a few posts wherein people recommended applying for it and seeing what is determined, worst case just pay the Class 3.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

Wow! I need to check out my online statement, because if that is true there may be more years of arrears that I can pay.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

Just took a look at my on-line statement and don't see ability to pay back prior to 6 years, but do see that my arrears are now the Class 3 rate. I had been gradually paying off my arrears, but (last time I had a paper statement) I was able to pay off at the Class 2 rate. Wonder if that is still possible, or whether it is now necessary to pay arrears as Class 3.

May have to call HMRC....

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

you can get online access to this info? can you also pay online? would be really helpful if so, it would save me having to ask someone to mail a cheque on my behalf for this year's contribution.

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

You can pay via online banking. I did it for the first time this year...
https://www.gov.uk/pay-class-2-natio...e/bank-details

re: Class 2 NI. What about us poor expats paying voluntary contributions?
 

I have been trying to do this, but don't have a payment reference. Did you just use your NI number?