National insurance contribution
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
National insurance contribution
Hi,
I've been living in the US for 5 years and likely to come back to UK at some point. Is it a good idea to pay NI contributions now to ensure I'd be covered for benefits in uk when I return? Pension, health care etc or would it be better to start contributing on my return?
Also, if you need medical attention when visiting the UK, is this covered by US health insurance or would the UK still treat you for free as you're a citizen.
Thanks
Helen
I've been living in the US for 5 years and likely to come back to UK at some point. Is it a good idea to pay NI contributions now to ensure I'd be covered for benefits in uk when I return? Pension, health care etc or would it be better to start contributing on my return?
Also, if you need medical attention when visiting the UK, is this covered by US health insurance or would the UK still treat you for free as you're a citizen.
Thanks
Helen
#2
Re: National insurance contribution
Contributing depends on your age, but voluntary contributions aren't bad value for money generally.
The NHS is mostly funded from general taxation and you'd be eligible as soon as you were resident of the UK. If you're visiting, the NHS would cover any emergency needs you might have. No idea about your US insurance, some might, some won't, some might treat it as out of network cover and be expensive etc.
The NHS is mostly funded from general taxation and you'd be eligible as soon as you were resident of the UK. If you're visiting, the NHS would cover any emergency needs you might have. No idea about your US insurance, some might, some won't, some might treat it as out of network cover and be expensive etc.
#3
Re: National insurance contribution
Hi,
I've been living in the US for 5 years and likely to come back to UK at some point. Is it a good idea to pay NI contributions now to ensure I'd be covered for benefits in uk when I return? Pension, health care etc or would it be better to start contributing on my return?
Also, if you need medical attention when visiting the UK, is this covered by US health insurance or would the UK still treat you for free as you're a citizen.
Thanks
Helen
I've been living in the US for 5 years and likely to come back to UK at some point. Is it a good idea to pay NI contributions now to ensure I'd be covered for benefits in uk when I return? Pension, health care etc or would it be better to start contributing on my return?
Also, if you need medical attention when visiting the UK, is this covered by US health insurance or would the UK still treat you for free as you're a citizen.
Thanks
Helen
#4
Banned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Re: National insurance contribution
Hi,
I've been living in the US for 5 years and likely to come back to UK at some point. Is it a good idea to pay NI contributions now to ensure I'd be covered for benefits in uk when I return? Pension, health care etc or would it be better to start contributing on my return?
Also, if you need medical attention when visiting the UK, is this covered by US health insurance or would the UK still treat you for free as you're a citizen.
Thanks
Helen
I've been living in the US for 5 years and likely to come back to UK at some point. Is it a good idea to pay NI contributions now to ensure I'd be covered for benefits in uk when I return? Pension, health care etc or would it be better to start contributing on my return?
Also, if you need medical attention when visiting the UK, is this covered by US health insurance or would the UK still treat you for free as you're a citizen.
Thanks
Helen
#5
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,454
Re: National insurance contribution
As always, health insurance plans differ. Mine covers me world-wide (as does my wife's plan.) This means that when we visit the UK, we do not pay for travel insurance. We've never had to test this, as we've never had a medical issue when visiting Britain. You'd want to read the details of your medical insurance, ask your HR Dept for help with this (if you have employer-provided health insurance.)