UK State Pension newbie

[SZQ]

Thanks for the post Andy and the replies to that. Gives me hope for my case. I still haven't heard anything yet.

[Gareth]

Andy,

I’m jealous you’ve had a relatively smooth ride! I wonder if they have improved their practices thanks to the deluge of applications from Japan!

I reckon definitely back pay while you have such a good “deal”. Class 2 may well be scrapped in the future and we could all be forced to pay class 3. Plus usually you can only back pay 10 years so it’s good to back pay as many years as they will allow you at the moment.

Once you’ve made your payment, I reckon just give them a call to check they have your payment and that the direct debit is still set up properly.

As far as I understand, if you are still living abroad, once you hit the magic 35 years worth of contributions, you can just stop paying. So the earlier you can do that, the better.

[Andy.]

@szq Fingers crossed for you as well. Based on my timeline with HMRC, hopefully you'll hear back from them soon.

@Gareth Thanks for the comments. Yes, I think I had a pretty smooth ride, and I'm sure having so many people from here apply to the HMRC for the same thing probably helped them to up their game a bit! I've made the payment now, and I'll keep an eye on the Government Gateway account and see if it gets updated.

Cheers,
Andy

[Spa06Jc]

Edit - seems that the final version I submitted didn't upload correctly. Have edited back to the original.

Hi all,

I believe after a long time lurking on these forums this will be my first post! Just want to say that reading your comments and experiences has given me renewed hope for my case.

I applied for class 2 contributions in mid 2018, and received a rejection letter in October 2018. I managed to track down a phone number (missing from any correspondence I received) and was told after being passed around a few times that I am ineligible as, like many of you here, I moved to Japan after university and don't have any full years of payment in the UK system. I was however told I could appeal the decision if I felt I had grounds to, and after speaking with some British colleagues for advice, I sent an appeals letter in August 2019. I then waited for a response to no avail, and after 10 months had just about given up to the idea that I was ineligible and wasn't getting a reply as my appeal had been rejected. Then suddenly last week I received a letter from HMRC apologising for the (10 month!) delay, saying I was unlikely to be able to pay voluntary class 2, but that I may be able to pay voluntary class 3 and asking me to submit the following details to 'establish correct liability':

1) Residence dates in the UK
2) Residence dates abroad
3) Names, addresses and dates of any UK employment
4) Names, addresses and dates of any employment abroad
5) Dates of unemployment in UK and overseas.

While not exactly optimistic, the letter did reinvigorate me to pursue repayments again, and I checked the Retire Japan blog (which had optimistic updates from the last time I'd read it) and also stumbled across these posts detailing other's attempts with often successful outcomes.

I plan to write back (of course, only by snail mail!) with details requested, and after having read the experiences of others, also plan to include an application for Class 3 top hopefully speed up the process a bit. I can't help but think how detrimental the year delay in communication can be to repayments!

Anyway, will update on any progress, but wishing everyone else including OP luck in their pursuits.

(Also, very glad to have taken the plunge in contributing to the community, even if I got of to a slightly rough start!)

James

[Bushiman]

I am ineligible as, like many of you here, I moved to Japan after university and don't have any full years of payment in the UK system

Hey James, how's it going?
Have you checked your online National Insurance record?
I came to Japan straight after university too, and unbelievably had the necessary 4yrs of full contributions -mostly from the years I'd been doing my A-Levels!? It might be that the UKGov gives you full years during full-time education past GCSE...? I had only ever worked off and on, part time, from finishing my GCSEs to graduating uni, and yet had (like I said), 4 full years of NI contributions... You only need 3 to qualify for Class 2 contributions...
So, if you haven't already, check your record!

[Spa06Jc]

Hi Bushiman,

Thanks for the reply!

I've got three years marked as full years (A-levels and a gap year), but only the final one for (some) paid employment. All three say National Insurance Credits 52 weeks.

When I rang up before sending my appeal letter I was told that I don't have any years of actual contributions and that was why I was probably rejected.

Am sending my reply tomorrow, so hopefully I'll hear back from them in the not to distant future!

James

[RetireJapan]

I've never paid into NI (just have the sixth form years) but somehow managed to get accepted for Class 3 voluntary contributions.

They may have changed the rules since then, or it may be a case of try, try again until you get the answer you like

Good luck!

[Spa06Jc]

Thanks, very much hope it's just a case of being persistent!

James

[Bushiman]

Am sending my reply tomorrow, so hopefully I'll hear back from them in the not to distant future!

Good luck!

If you follow the 'Backpaying UK pension (Class 3)' thread from here, you can see how it went with me... I was flatly denied from the beginning, too...

[Spa06Jc]

Am sending my reply tomorrow, so hopefully I'll hear back from them in the not to distant future!

Good luck!

If you follow the 'Backpaying UK pension (Class 3)' thread from here, you can see how it went with me... I was flatly denied from the beginning, too...

Thanks Bushman,

Seeing the photo of your letter reminded me of the huge sense of disappointment I felt at the time I received it! Very impressed you were eventually successful in paying class 2 contributions. I might have shot myself in the foot by sending the class 3 application with my reply, but if I at least get accepted for that I'll be happy. Just checked my HMRC account and it's currently 'being processed' with an estimated completion date of 14th August - pretty exciting!

On a slight tangent, the tracking of correspondence page on my HMRC account has this at the bottom:

I cannot see my form
If you sent us a form online, it can take a few hours before you can see it here.
If you posted a form to us, it can take a few working days to see it here.
Come back and check again later.

Is it possible to submit these forms online?!