Overseas employment counting to state pension.

kiwi31

I will be reaching retirement age in 2030. When I reach this date I will only have at the maximum 26 contributing years. I am dual nationality UK/NZ and worked 20 years in NZ. I have been advised that I can buy back 9 years of pension by making voluntary contributions but have also been told that my NZ employment period may count towards my required 35 years for full pension. Unfortunately I have not been able to find out anything more definite than this " may count towards" comment. Wondering if there is anybody that knows or could guide me towards more information as I would prefer not to buy back years that I wont need.  I did meet with a Pension Wise advisor but he was unable to assist.
 

Thrugelmir

Suggest you contact the International Pension Centre. Link below

https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre

TVAS

Let say you can make up the gaps by additional NI Conts note that your British state pension will not increase if you retire in New Zealand.

p00hsticks

I'm not an expert, so second Thrugelmirs advice to contact the International Pension Centre.

My understanding is that years earned abroad may count in terms of increasing the total number of years NI you have (which is important if you have less than ten UK years, as this is now a cut-off under which you get nothing) but won't actually increase the amount of UK pension you get.  The 'may' is dependent on the actual country involved and the reciprical agreements in palce between the UK and that country. 

An example given on the gov.uk website here

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/living-and-working-overseas

is as follows;

Example

You have 7 qualifying years from the UK on your National Insurance record when you reach State Pension age.

You worked in an EEA country for 16 years and paid contributions to that country’s state pension.

You will meet the minimum qualifying years to get the new State Pension because of the time you worked overseas. Your new State Pension amount will only be based on the 7 years of National Insurance contributions you made in the UK.

nigelbb

Years worked abroad or more correctly years when contributions were made abroad only ever count towards anything when calculating entitlement to UK state pension when you haven't the minimum 10 years of contributions.  It can be more important when calculating a foreign pension to take account of UK contribution years. In France you can retire on a full pension at age 67 or from age 62 onwards provided if you have contributed for 165 trimestres (quarters) ie just over 40 years. I worked in France for 15 years & was able to take my French pension age 63 when my years of UK NI contributions were added to the equation.

xylophone

Suggest you contact the International Pension Centre.

Yes - see below.

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/pensions/travelling-or-moving/social-security-agreements/united-kingdom.html

How do I apply for United Kingdom benefits and pensions?

You must be in the United Kingdom to apply for United Kingdom benefits and pensions that you want to receive while residing there.

If you don't receive New Zealand Superannuation or Sole Parent Support for widows before leaving New Zealand and you would like the period of your New Zealand residence to be taken into account when applying for a United Kingdom benefit or pension, you will need evidence of that time.

This includes tax certificates, employers’ references, wage slips, travel documents, testimonials, work references and letters from neighbours and friends (please provide their contact details).

For more information contact the International Pension Centre in the United Kingdom. See below for contact details.