danfan

I've been ignoring those letters. Maybe when/if another one come I ought to re-think.

paddingtongreen

I never told them where I was so I didn't get any letters. At first, I figured I would catch up when I got back. After I decided to stay here, I forgot it until I retired. I only had 14 years in there so I would have had to make up 30 years, I might have died before I even got my money back.

Ray

Nope... its only 30 years needed now ....
you should still get something if you ask ...

lapin_windstar

Seems like good deal! I ought to be get back into the habit - also to check out the spousal pension thing too.

dunroving

Anybody know if it's true you get NI credit for years in full-time higher education? I was in 6th form for 2 years, college 4 years, and grad school 6 years ... does that mean I'm eligible to retire now?

[but seriously, can I get NI credit for these years I spent scrimping and saving to get an education?]

Tracym

That leaflet says you need a different leafelet if you're living in the U.S. (I think).

Also, under pensions it says "If you move abroad to work before you reach State Pension age, you may not build up entitlement to a State Pension (the basic State Pension and any additional State Pension) for those years."

I'm sure I am totally confused, but sounds to me like paying in from the U.S. wouldn't work for a pension?

paddingtongreen

It means payments may not be removed at source. But you are allowed to make voluntary contributions.

Sally Redux

I've not heard of that. I could retire now as well

Thydney

Bloody sponging student!!!! I saw your pic. you been here 20 years then?

paddingtongreen

I get a small pension from them now. I don't know if I would be permitted to catch up now that I've been retired for a few years, but in any case, I would have to plonk down a reasonable, lump sum, piece of change, and that would have a fairly long payback time. I might not live that long.

Ray

Thats OK then ..I though you was getting nothing

sime303

As of April I will have lived in the US for 7 years. My question is do I have to catch up on those 7 years of non payments or is there a sort of grace period after not paying into the pension before I have to make voluntary contributions? I mean I never notified anyone in officialdom that I would be living overseas, so would they view that as if I were unemployed?

Ok I know that was 2 questions but I am having a hard time thinking about this as it is now 3:36am, haven't long been in from my 10 hours at work, the toilet upstairs broke and flooded my appartment (whoa didn't the wife like that) and bloody POLKA music is playing on ABC world news as I type this. Please forgive my ramblings for above reasons.

lj2

I spoke to them very recently and as long as you do 30 years, you dont need to catch up on the past. I have done 10 years (Im 26) and Im leaving to the US for somewhere between 2 years and forever. I am gonna have 2 years of non payment, then begin to pay class 2 which is next to nothing.

That way, when I'm 58, I will have full entitlement to the state pension that will probably be non existant by the time I retire... Awesome.

Xebedee

Yeah but, ah but, well but.

Here in the US I do believe it increases, unlike Oz and Canada (to their understandable anger) - mind, they do have health systems - we do not.
Anyway.
Surely it cannot be dodgier than Soc Sec? Have you read the Soc Sec disclaimer which they print on the annual statement (which magically seems to be reduced every year ) I keep all mine you see, along with my stamp collection and engine-number books from Bristol Temple-Meads.

Its all good.

Dan725

Not sure if I'm right or not, but the potential other "Yeah but, ah, but, well" is that at age 58, you will be entitled to....nowt. Surely it's age 67......or probably older by the time he gets there....