Class 2 not offered although fulfil the criteria ??

DizzieDolly

I have lived and worked abroad from end 2000 to current year with two periods of unemployment. Prior to moving, I worked in the UK for 13 years and up to 6 weeks before my move to France (because of searching for a place to live in France and organising house sale and removal in the UK). I sent my CF83 beginning March 2025 giving all my periods of employment in UK and France as requested. After several follow up calls to HMRC and then International Pension Centre as I was nearing retirement age (and have now retired), I have today out of the blue received an email from DWP international Pensions stating that I am eligible to pay Class 3 contributions but completely ignoring the CF83. They add that if I wish to be considered for Class 2 (yes, hello?) I should write to them requesting that with proof of employment in France (which I thought was the whole point of the CF83 form). I am not ont completely baffled but also so upset and worried and wondered if anyone else had had the same reply and what I can do? I will be calling them tomorrow but am really panicking as they are giving me one month max for receipt of payment in their coffers. Can anyone advise or has had a similar experience? Any help greatly appreciated.

sheramber

“should write to them requesting that with proof of employment in France (“

What PROOF on employment in France did you send?

DizzieDolly

Hi there,

I filled in all the information requested on Form CF83. I don’t have it in front of me but was all dates of employment and unemployment in the UK and France. I know several people who have sent the same form and further proof has never been requested.

JoeCrystal

And I assume you did submit all potentially required evidences like your French employment contracts and payslips as well?

pinnks

It seems DWP has not had sight of the CF83 - not the first time I have heard this happening. Their default position appears to be "you can have Class 3". I would write, telling them they need to look at the CF83 which should surely have been transferred to them by HMRC and that if there is any information missing from the CF83 you are of course more than happy to provide what they need…

pinnks

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891616#Comment_81891616

My understanding is that HMRC doesn't normally ask for that information, so why would it be necessary simply because the case has been passed to DWP?

JoeCrystal

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891628#Comment_81891628

To be fair, I'm only casually googling about it but I did see mentions of submitting supporting evidences along with it as well so I did wonder if there need to be actual proof of working overseas. If it is not needed, then no worries. :)

DizzieDolly

Thank you both

JoeCrystal - the proof is not required on CF83. DWP make their decision solely on the information requested and submitted on the form.

pinnks - Absolutely! Seems as if they have no knowledge of CF83. Thank you so much for your comforting words.

I will post once I’ve spoken to the International Pension Centre.

Bostonerimus1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891628#Comment_81891628

Yes, HMRC just asks for overseas employer names, addresses and dates. They don't even ask you to tell them if you change employers. I applied to pay voluntary Class 2 NI in the early 1990s and I've been doing so ever since, but I expect the 2025/26 bill to be the last one for Class 2 and maybe they will ask me if I want to pay Class 3 in future. I've been careful to let HMRC know when I've changed address, but haven't given them the names of my new foreign employers and they have never asked.

Do the new Class 2 NI rules allow people to pay voluntary Class 2 NI retrospectively?

JoeCrystal

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891661#Comment_81891661

Here although I cannot find any updates since… It seems you may be able to…

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-for-periods-spent-abroad/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-for-periods-abroad-from-april-2026

DizzieDolly

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891661#Comment_81891661

Yes, I think it’s 6 years back but from April changing to Class 3 only with some stricter rules