RetireJapan

Despite what it seems, whether you can pay class 2 or not is pretty clearly defined.

Despite the bit about ‘Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK’, I was unemployed for 5 weeks before I came here (and told them) but I could still pay Class 2. That was back in 2005, though. When the weekly pension was £79.60. Next: £221.20 (¥183k pm). Yeah, Triple Lock! Good luck!

banders wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 8:04 am Despite what it seems, whether you can pay class 2 or not is pretty clearly defined.

Despite the bit about ‘Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK’

I think this definition of ordinarily employed is a bit vague, isn't it? That is why many people are not sure if they qualify for class 2 or class 3.
I had a summer job before leaving so was working close to full-time hours, but only for a relatively short time. That was enough for the HMRC, thankfully.

Maybe, but I was offered Class 2 on a plate. I didn't have to fight for it. I guess the OP will know when the time comes.

The thing I’m really struggling with is making the payments. I got a letter telling how much I owe for each year that I have missed and I that I can make payments for those years from the site they list.

Turns out I can’t do that because I don’t live in England. Apparently expats have to add up the payments they want to make, and just make a bank transfer listing their special HMRC reference.

I really don’t like the sound of this. Am I the only person wondering why they don’t have an option to make payments for specific years online?

Adamakin86 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 12:23 pm The thing I’m really struggling with is making the payments. I got a letter telling how much I owe for each year that I have missed and I that I can make payments for those years from the site they list.

Turns out I can’t do that because I don’t live in England. Apparently expats have to add up the payments they want to make, and just make a bank transfer listing their special HMRC reference.

I really don’t like the sound of this. Am I the only person wondering why they don’t have an option to make payments for specific years online?

You can always pay by cheque- I have been doing that for the last twenty years.

banders wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 8:04 am Despite what it seems, whether you can pay class 2 or not is pretty clearly defined.

Despite the bit about ‘Immediately before going abroad, you were ordinarily an employed or self-employed earner in the UK’, I was unemployed for 5 weeks before I came here (and told them) but I could still pay Class 2. That was back in 2005, though. When the weekly pension was £79.60. Next: £221.20 (¥183k pm). Yeah, Triple Lock! Good luck!

Of that 183k per month, how much do you reckon to be getting net after taxes?

Roger Van Zant wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 6:34 am Of that 183k per month, how much do you reckon to be getting net after taxes?

I have no idea when it comes to tax. Maybe someone else can give a ball park?

Looks like UK state pension is not taxed in the UK for non-residents.

So Japanese income taxes. I'm guessing it would qualify for the nenkin deduction.

This doesn't merit a new thread.
But I just realised that I might need to be employed or self-employed to legitimately make voluntary Class 2 contributions.

Is that correct?
Theoretically, if I was funemployed or otherwise a non-productive member of society(more than usual) I'd need to switch to Class 3 or even stop making voluntary contributions completely?!?

(I say theoretically as I'm confident I have the requisite morale flexibility to fly through a CIA psych assessment and head straight to sniper school*..
But it's often worth noting what rule I'm about to break. At least so I can practice feigning ignorance when caught..)

Above is based on this article
https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/United_Kingdom
That page is so good HMRC must be fuming at the lack of ambiguity and contradictions in it..

* I'm the reason they have chains on the air guns at Fun Fairs..

Moneymatters wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 11:01 am Is that correct?

The neverending conundrum.

Here's an interesting quote:

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions wrote: To pay Class 2 voluntary contributions [...] the following must also apply:

• [...]
• you’re currently working abroad (or you worked while you were abroad)

That seems to imply that once on Class 2, you can stay on it. Probably better not to ask too many questions...