Paying NI when abroad

OldBeanz

Helping my son complete his application for paying NI when abroad.
One of the questions asks "How long do you intend staying abroad?"
Cannot understand what they are trying to find out here.
As he is not sure does he say 5 years - in which case they say you have plenty time to make those years up when you come back or does he say 'Never' and they say well that's not what the system is designed for.

bostonerimus

When I filled out my application I had a contract for a 3 year postdoc and so I answered "At least 3 years".

Andy_L

OldBeanz said:

Helping my son complete his application for paying NI when abroad.
One of the questions asks "How long do you intend staying abroad?"
Cannot understand what they are trying to find out here.
As he is not sure does he say 5 years - in which case they say you have plenty time to make those years up when you come back or does he say 'Never' and they say well that's not what the system is designed for.

They are trying to find out if he should or should not pay NI and the rules vary depending on where you are going and for how long

Secret2ndAccount

Lot of info on one page here: https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad

If he's in or around his 20's and he says 2 years or 5 years or 8 years, it won't make any difference, so don't sweat it.

Marcon

OldBeanz said:

Helping my son complete his application for paying NI when abroad.
One of the questions asks "How long do you intend staying abroad?"
Cannot understand what they are trying to find out here.
As he is not sure does he say 5 years - in which case they say you have plenty time to make those years up when you come back or does he say 'Never' and they say well that's not what the system is designed for.

It's not so much what they are trying to find out as the complaints they are trying to avoid because '...nobody told me...' Your son is only 30, so has many years ahead of working life ahead of him. Paying voluntary NI now (or at least in the immediate future) may be a waste of money.

nigelbb

Marcon said:

OldBeanz said:

Helping my son complete his application for paying NI when abroad.
One of the questions asks "How long do you intend staying abroad?"
Cannot understand what they are trying to find out here.
As he is not sure does he say 5 years - in which case they say you have plenty time to make those years up when you come back or does he say 'Never' and they say well that's not what the system is designed for.

It's not so much what they are trying to find out as the complaints they are trying to avoid because '...nobody told me...' Your son is only 30, so has many years ahead of working life ahead of him. Paying voluntary NI now (or at least in the immediate future) may be a waste of money.

Assuming that he is employed or self-employed abroad & thus able to pay voluntary Class 2 contributions it's only about £3/week. If it were me I would pay it now as the concession allowing purchase of Class 2 contributions at £160/year rather than Class 3 contributions at around £800/year is an obvious target for any reduction in government spending.

OldBeanz

2 sons abroad one will never come back (chef Australia) and the other has stated he will not work in the UK as a teacher again so thinks it is worth the risk. Elder 30. Will just put 8 years for both