Paying voluntary NI contributions from overseas?

Ann_16

Heelo all i'm after some advice, please. (I've looked at a few websites for it, but they all seem to differ with their info a bit, and it's getting a tad confusing)
Does anyone know of anybody who is paying voluntary contributions from abroad? How easy is it to set up, and what are the benefits please?
The reason I ask is, I've just had a long battle with an illness, and my treatment is almost finished (cancer) and I plan to move abroad to somewhere nice in the sun, either Greece or Spain.
Thing is, I will need follow up treatment for a little while, so its vital I have adequate healthcare in place. It would be better for me to have my follow up treatment here, in the UK with the doctors I've got to know, and the language I understand, so I need to keep up my NI contributions, so I remain eligable for NHS treatment.
Thanks for any advice.
Have a nice day

umami

Go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/workinglunch
There is a transcript on pension questions.You might be able to find a link.

healy

Hello Ann,

I know they did in the past but now your National Insurance contributions do not have anything to do with receiving medical treatment.

Ann_16

Thanks
I didn't realise that, I thought it was all in with your stamp? I'm at a bit of a loss now, as I was hoping to have it done here, with English speaking doctors.
Thanks again for the help, I will see where I need to go from here now.

seven-day-weekend

You can pay NI voluntary contributions in Spain and AFAIK in Greece. They will coount towards your State Pension.

However, if you are in either of these countries for longer than six months at a time you will be classed as non-resident in the UK. You be not be able to access treatment under the NHS but will have to have Healthcare from your country of residence.

If you are on Incapacity Benefit, the DSS in the UK will give you a Form E121 which will enable you to have free healthcare in your country of residence for as long as you are on the benefit.

To be able to remain under NHS care you will have to be resident in the UK.

I have been resident in Spain for two years and am registered for medical care in Spain, after being told I was no longer eligible for the UK NHS due to Spanish residency. I have paid Voluntary Contributions to protect my UK State Pension.

Ann_16

sevendayweekend,
Thank you so much, thats very helpful info. Could I also ask you please, if you pay contributions into the Spanish system too? As I've been told a portion of those would also count towards your state pension.
Could I be VERY nosey & ask how much it costs you in Spanish contributions? (I completely understand if you do not want to answer that second question)

:)Ann

seven-day-weekend

Hi there again:

I do not pay into the Spanish system. I only have one year of contributions to pay to get my full British State Pension (I am nearly 57). AFAIK if you DO pay (through working) into the Spanish system it will count towards a Spanish State Pension if you are young enough to have enough qualifying years.

But don't quote me on that; I've never paid them so don't really know.

Try asking on the the Spanish Expat forum, I'll give you a link in a minute.

seven-day-weekend

http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/spain/index.php?sid=cf88ff1736571136fb06298287a6d22e

Ann_16

Thank you very much for the link, I'll ask on there. Can I ask you one more thing then I'll leave you alone? If you don't pay into the SC system in Spain, and the UK NI payments don't cover medical treatment, how is your healthcare paid for? Sorry for these questions, I really do appreciate your help in this matter.

seven-day-weekend

Your healthcare is paid for by a British E106 form for around two years if you have paid enough insurance contributions BEFORE you went to Spain; or by an E121 if you are on Incapacity Benefit for as long as you are on the benefit; or by an E121 if you are a British State Pensioner. Ask the DSS for more information.

Otherwise, you have to get private medical insurance until you reach State Pension age.

I think if you pay into the Spanish State system it covers you for healthcare, but I'm not sure.

Best ask on the forum on the above link.

I don't mind answering anything if I can, but some things I just don't know. Don't hesitate to ask though!

Elsa-Mary

Hello Absolute Brand New Newbie,
Help, Have read ALL the threads and links,2 hours!!,You are all amazing!
Have bought property,much further north of "seven day weekend",loved all of the posts!!
My problem is this: My partner is65+ and we not too sure what is required for our health care in Spain,I WILL BE 60 IN JUNEagh!!!!!!!!!

We have UK healthcard,but what else will we need?,at present not Spanish residents( have you guys had as much rain as we have had in Jaen?)

I was receiving IB,BUT PAID IN UK,realise now I am PENSIONER SOON,will not receive this ,I believe,SO any info a great help.
AND I KNOW FROM THE POSTS!!!!!!!!! I SHOULD GET HELP.
THANKS FOR HELPING A NEWBIE TO THIS FORUM.
FROM JAEN PROVINCE