Voluntary NI Contributions after working abroad

MLDHK2008

Hello,

After an unsuccessful call with the Future Pensions helpline- I wondered if anyone could offer some advice?

On checking my payable gaps via the Government gateway- it has advised that I have nine payable years, for which I can make voluntary NI contributions - from 2007/2008 - 2015/2016.

I worked abroad in full time employment between August 2008 - July 2015.

I understand that if working in the UK immediately prior to leaving, I am eligible to pay Class 2 contributions for my time working abroad. However, I was in my final year at university- and left immediately after graduating for employment abroad. 

My query is, as 2007/2008 is still showing up as a ‘payable’ period- would HMRC allow me to make up Class 3 contributions for that year (essentially meaning that I am paying that same amount of NI for that year as I would have done had I been unemployment in the UK) and subsequently make Class 2 contributions for the years 2008/2009 - 2015/2016 when I was working abroad? 

Thanks in advance!

MLDHK2008

 Apologies- that last part should read:

(essentially meaning that I am paying that same amount of NI for that year as I would have done had I been IN employment  in the UK)

p00hsticks

MLDHK2008 said:

Hello,

After an unsuccessful call with the Future Pensions helpline- I wondered if anyone could offer some advice?

In what way 'unsuccessful' ? Couldn't get through or not given the info you needed ?

I'm not an expert but my understanding is that to qualify for paying class 2 contributions while abroad you need to have been working immediately before going, and I don't believe being a student would meet that requirement, nor would just making a voluntary Class 3 payment to cover the year. . 

Also bear in mind that depending on your precise circumstances pre-2016 years may or may not actually  increase your State Pension amount (even if available to buy). 

pinnks

There are 2 criteria for paying Class 2 abroad:

1. you must have been employed or self-employed in the UK until immediately before you left.  If you meet this condition the Class 2 "door" is open.
2. if you meet condition 1, then for any week you wish to pay NI while abroad it is at Class 2 if you were employed or self-employed but at Class 3 if you were not.  

You need to submit form CF83 to HMRC (online version is best) for them to consider whether you can pay at Class 2, or whether it will be Class 3 or a mix of both.  In response to your form, you'll get a schedule of years and the cost of each at whichever Class of NI