Filling the National Insurance Contribution gaps

7paint54WOLVES

Dear Sir/Madam,
For the last 36 years I have lived and worked in Australia. I departed the U.K. when I was 26 years old and I have just returned, now 62 years old. Between the ages of 16 and 26 I worked and paid some National Insurance Contributions. When I got back to the U.K. a few weeks ago, I contacted the Department for Work and Pensions and, although they were lovely and very helpful, the information they gave me was more than a little overwhelming. What I am trying to find out is;

a. Can I pay National Insurance Contributions for the missing years,

b. can this be paid in a lump sum,

c, how do I do this?

I also believe that I am entitled to some National Insurance Contributions from Australia between 1987 and the year 2000. If this is so, how do I apply for this?
Any assistance you can offer me would be most gratefully received.

Kindest regards,
(Removed by Forum Team)

molerat

a) yes

b) yes

c) Social Security abroad: NI38 - GOV.UK

You can fill gaps back to 2006-07.

For years you were working overseas you should be able to top up with class 2 which costs around £180 per year, a bargain to get £302 per year pension !

Class 3 for years when not working at around £824 per year.

You need to get a pension forecast as a starting point, using Government Gateway is the best method - everything on line and in one place. https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/travel-outside-australia-rules-for-age-pension?context=22526

https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/international/international-social-security-agreements/termination-of-the-social-security-agreement-with-the-united-kingdom-uk-1-march-2001/termination-of-the-social-security-agreement-with-the-uk-information-for-prospective-migrants