UK pensions

[AustinPowers]

I sent the hoors a cheque last week, but it has not yet shown up on my bank account, so I don't know if it is lost or just in a pile.
Is there any flexibility on this payment deadline? I already have the letter to pay.

I'm far from an expert on it but I sent a request for a call back to go through it and they said they would be in touch within 8 weeks. I'm hoping that means I'm in the system and it goes from there. I tried to do the online log in but it kept wanting UK documents to verify my ID but I don't have any anymore.

If you've started the process  before 5 Apr,  that's ok. If you pay after that date , it will count

I paid two payments  online, one for gaps in  class 2 ni and one class 3. One has been updated on the  system , the other hasn't. Hopefully it's just a matter of  time before it updates too

Does my request for a call back count as starting the process do you know?

Yes it does, I heard that  on tv recently .

[screenexile]

It's 35 qualifying years you need to get full pension is that right?

I've 17 done and it says I need another 18 but I can buy another 7 or 8 for £800. I'm planning on working until my 60s anyway so I'd imagine I should be grand pension wise rather than wasting a few grand buying years I don't need.

I've 3 years contributed from 16-19 which I wouldn't have thought about but just another advantage to getting a job when younger.

[dec]

I've 3 years contributed from 16-19 which I wouldn't have thought about but just another advantage to getting a job when younger.

You get those if you are in full time education as well.

I have lived in the US since the 90s but am able to make catch-up contributions back to 2006 so I will get an almost full UK pension by the time I am retired.

[Saffrongael]

It's 35 qualifying years you need to get full pension is that right?

I've 17 done and it says I need another 18 but I can buy another 7 or 8 for £800. I'm planning on working until my 60s anyway so I'd imagine I should be grand pension wise rather than wasting a few grand buying years I don't need.

I've 3 years contributed from 16-19 which I wouldn't have thought about but just another advantage to getting a job when younger.

Or being on the dole 

[gallsman]

I've 3 years contributed from 16-19 which I wouldn't have thought about but just another advantage to getting a job when younger.

You get those if you are in full time education as well.

I have lived in the US since the 90s but am able to make catch-up contributions back to 2006 so I will get an almost full UK pension by the time I am retired.

How do you claim these? I never had a "real" job at home. Part time jobs, bar work etc on and off until I was 23 but I was in college in Dublin from September 05 to June 2010.

Looking it up online, buying a year looks like it averages about 800. Where/how can you buy a whole chunk of them for 800 or does it depend on historic contributions?

Even so, the full 15 years of contributions would be a solid investment.

[dec]

I've 3 years contributed from 16-19 which I wouldn't have thought about but just another advantage to getting a job when younger.

You get those if you are in full time education as well.

I have lived in the US since the 90s but am able to make catch-up contributions back to 2006 so I will get an almost full UK pension by the time I am retired.

How do you claim these? I never had a "real" job at home. Part time jobs, bar work etc on and off until I was 23 but I was in college in Dublin from September 05 to June 2010.

Looking it up online, buying a year looks like it averages about 800. Where/how can you buy a whole chunk of them for 800 or does it depend on historic contributions?

Even so, the full 15 years of contributions would be a solid investment.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-when-abroad-cf83

I am eligible to pay class 2 contributions (the cheaper ones) because I met this criteria

"To pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions, you must be working or have worked abroad during the period you're applying to pay and have worked in the UK immediately before leaving."

I was working in NI immediately before I moved to the US.

I have to pay class 3 contributions (more expensive) for the few weeks that i was between jobs over here.

[gallsman]

Great, thanks for that. Quickly fired off an "I live abroad application" there. Have to say, the gov.uk website is terrific. Have always found it incredibly easy to use.

That said..."You can expect a reply by
30 April 2026"     

[Tony Baloney]

I'll have 30 full years by end of this year. I've just turned 49. I take it there is no point in me even looking at this.

[Milltown Row2]

I'll have 30 full years by end of this year. I've just turned 49. I take it there is no point in me even looking at this.

I'll have done 37 come September when I started my apprenticeship aged 16!

And still fecking working

[tc_manchester]

I think I hit the sweetspot when it came to the pensions. Worked in UK until I was 50 so had about 32 years so only 3 more to buy and then started working in the Republic so need to work 15 out of 16 years left in order to get the full Irish pension.

[Saffrongael]

There should be some distinction (higher payments) if you paid in for the 35 years as opposed to those that didn't & get the same pension.

[gallsman]

You don't get the same pension if you haven't contributed the full 35 years. You have to have a minimum of 10 and everything in between is pro rated.

[screenexile]

£11k taxed doesn't seem like a lot!!

[gallsman]

£11k taxed doesn't seem like a lot!!

If you can buy it for a few grand and live a good while after retirement it's a great return.

[mackers]

£11k taxed doesn't seem like a lot!!

It's not taxed, it's paid gross.  In other words it is paid tax free but is added to your other sources of income when calculating your overall tax bill.