LIVED IN GERMANY FOR 30 YEARS

MichvonBritannien

I went to live in Germany for 30 years, returning to the UK in 2011. I lived and worked in Germany, marrying a German and having 4 children, that are all now adults with heir own families.

I contacted HMRC in 2023 regarding making up any shortfall in NICs for when I reach state retirement in February next year (2026). They recently wrote to me with a schedule of Class 3 NICs shortfall. Requesting I pay £824.20 for each of the 4 years from 2006 to 2010. £792.50 for 2010/2011. 

There is then a gap in their schedule during which time I paid NICs while self employed. I closed my business in 2019, so they have scheduled the following:

£824.20p for 2019/20
£765.00p for 2020/21
£800.80p for 2021/22
£538.90p for part of 2022/23 when I became full time carer for my dementia diagnosed Mum.

The payments they have requested are based on Class 3 NICs, though they have invited me to pay Class 2 NICs to reduce the payments. The letter does place some time limits during which I can pay. 2006 to 2011 requires I pay by 5 April 2025 to avoid penalty and from 2019, I have final time limits of 5 April 2026, 27, 28 & 29.

Currently, my UK state pension forecast is about £120/week. I cannot get hold of the Future Pension Centre to understand what I will get if I pay the shortfalls.

QrizB

Sounds as though you have lived an interesting life.

Do you have a question?

molerat

If you post up the following from your forecast someone will tell you what effect purchasing each of those years will have,

Current weekly £££.pp amount up to April 2024.
Number of full NI years 15-16 and earlier
Number of full NI years 16-17 and later
Tax year you reach state retirement
Any COPE amount.  If you have "You've been in a contracted-out pension scheme" on your forecast then click
here https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension/account/cope whilst logged into your tax account
Years which show not full and prices

2006 to 2011 requires I pay by 5 April 2025 to avoid penalty

There is no "penalty", you just won't be able to buy them after then.