change UK state pension from NICs class 3 to 2

[Wales4rugbyWC23]

I have been contributing to the UK state pension from Japan for about twenty years now with class 3 contributions with annual payments by cheque to HMRC. It is a great deal even at just over 900 pounds a year. However, every other Brit I meet in Japan who is paying voluntary NICs has been able to pay class 2 contributions, this is about 180 pounds a year, a bit of a difference. Indeed, one person who I introduced to voluntary NICs continually likes to remind and thank me for introducing him to class 2 contributions, rubbing it in a little bit.

So, my question is have any long-term British residents in Japan been able to change their class 3 contributions to class 2?

[RetireJapan]

No, but I would like to! I clearly don't qualify to pay Class 2 under the posted rules, as I never worked in the UK but came here straight from uni...

[Wales4rugbyWC23]

No, but I would like to! I clearly don't qualify to pay Class 2 under the posted rules, as I never worked in the UK but came here straight from uni...

Me, too. As in straight from Uni. I got 16–18-year-old period covered because I was in full time education. However, even though I worked a part time job in the UK when I was at university these years don't count towards my 35 years of contributions. What are the actual criteria for class 2 to have worked for a while in the UK before you come to Japan?

[adamu]

What are the actual criteria for class 2 to have worked for a while in the UK before you come to Japan?

1. You’re employed or self-employed outside the UK, and
2. You’ve lived in the UK for a continuous 3-year period at any time before the period for which NICs are to be paid, or before going abroad, you paid a set amount in NICs for 3 years or more (this will be checked when you ask to pay Class 2 NICs), and
3. Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK.

https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/United_Kingd ... rom_abroad

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... tributions

[TunaSki]

What are the actual criteria for class 2 to have worked for a while in the UK before you come to Japan?

3. Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... tributions

The immediately part is quite ambiguous.

GOV.UK community forum did actually answer this question for clarification on what it means by “immediately” before going abroad here on 12th April 2023: https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerf ... 155d9c773c

But it has since been removed (at least that’s how it appears when I view on my phone). Is there anyway to way back machine it?

[adamu]

What are the actual criteria for class 2 to have worked for a while in the UK before you come to Japan?

3. Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... tributions

The immediately part is quite ambiguous.

It's discussed in the wiki page that you chose to remove from the quote

[TunaSki]

3. Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... tributions

The immediately part is quite ambiguous.

It's discussed in the wiki page that you chose to remove from the quote

Ah sorry, I’m still trying to figure out this quote stuff on my phone so that wasn’t intentional. But great resource btw. I’ve used it for some things in the past

Although I couldn’t see on the Wiki where it specifically outlined clarification on what they mean by “immediately” like it did in that now lost HMRC community post From 12th April 2023

[JimmyK]

Anyone had any luck finding the definition of ‘immediate.’ I left my last job in the UK in Jul/Aug ‘92 (only a 4wk summer job, but some NI contributions paid) then moved to Japan in Jan ‘93. Hard to describe a 5 month gap as immediate, but without clear guidance who knows?

[beanhead]

Anyone had any luck finding the definition of ‘immediate.’ I left my last job in the UK in Jul/Aug ‘92 (only a 4wk summer job, but some NI contributions paid) then moved to Japan in Jan ‘93. Hard to describe a 5 month gap as immediate, but without clear guidance who knows?

HMRC decides. As you said, their criteria is a bit vague.
You just have to apply, wait, and see what they decide.
Some people have questioned the decisions made successfully, but the first step is to send your form in.

[JimmyK]

Yes, thanks. I just don’t want to challenge the decision via completing another form (or writing a cover letter) until I’ve established a bit more clarity on the rules. My concern being a risk that I might lose the class 3 that I already have. Will try and get what I can from further research and phone calls to HMRC first. Just wondered if anyone else out there had further info, or could share similar experience and result. A long shot indeed!