I spoke with pension service today. Still no letters but I have been informed
verbally that HMRC has agreed with me in my dispute. I will be allowed to make voluntary contributions for the necessary years provided I do so within 8 weeks of notification of determination. I am so pleased and excited. You would think they told me I would be getting a million dollars. I don't want to
try to pre-determine amounts before I am officially notified. Of course with the postal strike, who knows when I will receive the notification.

Congratulations, so how many years of VCs are we talking about?

waiting to find out in writing this time.
the man said possibly not definitely.I am not going to jump to conclusions at this point. I don't want to go through a "to do" again and he said "possibly" so it could just be 6. What he was definite about was that I would be able to pay what I was entitled to at first contact and would not be affected by the 4/2009 cut off.

Great news Alba1, I hope it makes a real difference to how and when you can go home.

i hope so

Just thought I'd smugly point out what I said earlier.


As was shown in the JSA thread (even though it didn't please some folk ) some well reasoned, polite, arguments and a bit of persistence can go a long way.

Yes you are right and if the letter bears out what they told me, I will admit I misjudged the department. However they did say they did not admit they were
wrong and sounded quite surprised themselves that it was approved. I have already stated this to the department. I actually spoke to the international claims who called revenue and customs and determined that everything was in the hands of the decision maker and maybe in 2 weeks I would know. I called them when I hung up and the gentleman who answered the phone knew who I was right away and told me they just got a phone call approving
my request to pay the VC allowable at point of first contact providing they are paid within 8 weeks of determination. I feel so relieved and happy. Someone used common sense.

I am sorry, I forgot to say the most important thing...Thank you for your advice
and encouragement

I just wish more people would follow things through when something's gone wrong.*

Unfortunately too many just get angry and give up.


Edited to add * especially when actually in the UK with so many organisations available to help.

hi alba,i have a booklet thatdeals with pensions whilst abroad and have a telephone number that you can contact 1912254811ring them they are very helpful ask them about the following booklets as regards pensions

ni38 social security abroad
a guide to state pensions

also ask them for a state pension forcast,as the rulig has now changed that after 57 years employment you are entitled to a full state pension,also ladies that took time out to look after childrenwhen they were first born that has now changed also hope that this info and phone numbers help you good luck

NI38 is an excellent guide. It's required reading for all expats. I'm happy that Alba's story looks like it will end happily, but maybe we should learn that a little planning can go a long way and save us a lot of stress. Here's a link to NI38, cut and paste the linmk are there are some issues with spaces in the text.
Also does anyone know what's going on with the HMRC website. It's been down for months!

http://hepwww.rl.ac.uk/CMSecal/Info/ni38.Social Security Abroad pdf.pdf

Alba, now that you have the pension sorted are you up to date with the tax implications? Specifically the UK/US tax treaty!

I've not had a problem accessing the HMRC website - which part are you having trouble with?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm - can you access that?

I realized it's a browser issue. HMRC site doesn't comply with open standards and is not compatible with Firefox. Typical!

Seems fine with firefox on mine.

No, am not worrying about tax at this point. I will leave it to my accountant until I am actually ready to leave. Website works fine on my browser and I have both firefox and ie.
I have not received my mail from the pension service as of yet. They say that they mailed them on 10/5 but nothing yet so who knows when the final determination will arrive.