Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
Feb 16th 2023, 2:42 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Bristol
Posts: 37
Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
Hi, I know everyone’s case is different and personal to them but before leaving the U.K did you top up your NI for the state pension? Only I see once living abroad you can only do it if you were working immediately before leaving which I’m not.
thanks, Catherine
thanks, Catherine
Feb 16th 2023, 3:08 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
You cannot AFAIK "top up" payments while still in the UK, nor after you return.
The rules for making voluntary NI contributions, and being allowed to make them, are intricate and arcane. Therefore I would strongly recommend contacting the DWP International Desk and asking to make contributions, and then filling out an application form, as you may be surprised at what you are allowed. .... I.e. the "rule" that you have to have been working "immediately before you left", doesn't appear to mean what it means at face value, and you may find that at least you're allowed to make Class 3 contributions, which are still good value, just not as good as Class 2.
The rules for making voluntary NI contributions, and being allowed to make them, are intricate and arcane. Therefore I would strongly recommend contacting the DWP International Desk and asking to make contributions, and then filling out an application form, as you may be surprised at what you are allowed. .... I.e. the "rule" that you have to have been working "immediately before you left", doesn't appear to mean what it means at face value, and you may find that at least you're allowed to make Class 3 contributions, which are still good value, just not as good as Class 2.
Last edited by Pulaski; Feb 16th 2023 at 3:32 pm.
Feb 16th 2023, 3:29 pm
#3
Furby
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: St. Louis, MO.
Posts: 874
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
Yes, you can make voluntary contributions so long as you meet the other requirements, but will have to pay Class 3 rates rather then Class 2 which is still a good investment.
Feb 16th 2023, 3:38 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,643
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
The UK gov departments are under a lot of pressure the phone lines are unanswered despite many hours of trying.. apparently it is taking 8 weeks to get a response to completed enquiries. Trying to get an answer as to eligibility for class 2 or 3 is in itself a huge issue as the response is plain and not managed. i have been pushed from pillar to post and advised to contact different departments when the simple question was and is. Am I eligible for class2 as immediacy is in evidence and I have been an expat since May 2000?....no department provides an answer just a new contact point . a very recent press article, issued this week decried the appalling state of how this is being managed with some waiting almost 10 months and counting for responses. there has been a request to extend this deadline due to the inability of the Gov departments to manage.
Last edited by mikemike; Feb 16th 2023 at 3:40 pm.
Feb 16th 2023, 3:41 pm
#5
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Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Posts: 73
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
You cannot AFAIK "top up" payments while still in the UK, nor after you return.
The rules for making voluntary NI contributions, and being allowed to make them, are intricate and arcane. Therefore I would strongly recommend contacting the DWP International Desk and asking to make contributions, and then filling out an application form, as you may be surprised at what you are allowed. .... I.e. the "rule" that you have to have been working "immediately before you left", doesn't appear to mean what it means at face value, and you may find that at least you're allowed to make Class 3 contributions, which are still good value, just not as good as Class 2.
The rules for making voluntary NI contributions, and being allowed to make them, are intricate and arcane. Therefore I would strongly recommend contacting the DWP International Desk and asking to make contributions, and then filling out an application form, as you may be surprised at what you are allowed. .... I.e. the "rule" that you have to have been working "immediately before you left", doesn't appear to mean what it means at face value, and you may find that at least you're allowed to make Class 3 contributions, which are still good value, just not as good as Class 2.
Feb 16th 2023, 4:16 pm
#6
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
The UK gov departments are under a lot of pressure the phone lines are unanswered despite many hours of trying.. apparently it is taking 8 weeks to get a response to completed enquiries. Trying to get an answer as to eligibility for class 2 or 3 is in itself a huge issue as the response is plain and not managed. i have been pushed from pillar to post and advised to contact different departments when the simple question was and is. Am I eligible for class2 as immediacy is in evidence and I have been an expat since May 2000?....no department provides an answer just a new contact point . a very recent press article, issued this week decried the appalling state of how this is being managed with some waiting almost 10 months and counting for responses. there has been a request to extend this deadline due to the inability of the Gov departments to manage.
Feb 16th 2023, 9:28 pm
#11
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
At the bottom of every post on BE, center-right, is a button marked < " Quote >, and if you click on that your post will show the person and post you are replying to. If you only want to part of the post you can delete the part(s) you're not addressing. 
Feb 17th 2023, 11:43 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 525
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sa...contributions/
I did see a recent article saying the department is overloaded with applications and struggling (failing) to cope. If you can't get through by phone, or can't get a sensible answer, consider submitting an application so it's in the system even if the processing time is slow. Might be worth sending it recorded delivery, lest they lose it.I recall calling a helpline years ago and getting bounced from place to place. It felt as if a single job had been sliced up and each person could advise on a slice but not on related issues, and no-one had knowledge of the whole subject. I've read posts saying that the expat NI helpline is very good, however, so perhaps it's hit and miss on who you get to speak to.
Feb 17th 2023, 1:57 pm
#13
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Posts: 37
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
😬 ok that’s great thanks 🙏
Feb 17th 2023, 1:58 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Bristol
Posts: 37
Re: Voluntary NI payments for pension? (National insurance)
You don't need to be overseas to top up. Here's a guide to the process:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sa...contributions/
I did see a recent article saying the department is overloaded with applications and struggling (failing) to cope. If you can't get through by phone, or can't get a sensible answer, consider submitting an application so it's in the system even if the processing time is slow. Might be worth sending it recorded delivery, lest they lose it.I recall calling a helpline years ago and getting bounced from place to place. It felt as if a single job had been sliced up and each person could advise on a slice but not on related issues, and no-one had knowledge of the whole subject. I've read posts saying that the expat NI helpline is very good, however, so perhaps it's hit and miss on who you get to speak to.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sa...contributions/
I did see a recent article saying the department is overloaded with applications and struggling (failing) to cope. If you can't get through by phone, or can't get a sensible answer, consider submitting an application so it's in the system even if the processing time is slow. Might be worth sending it recorded delivery, lest they lose it.I recall calling a helpline years ago and getting bounced from place to place. It felt as if a single job had been sliced up and each person could advise on a slice but not on related issues, and no-one had knowledge of the whole subject. I've read posts saying that the expat NI helpline is very good, however, so perhaps it's hit and miss on who you get to speak to.
