RetireJapan

Spa06Jc wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:07 am Very happy to update that I received a letter last week informing me that a direct debit had been set up for Class 3 contributions, and they had collected a first payment of £657.90 for the period 12/04/2020 to 06/02/2021.

Checked my UK bank and confirmed that the direct debit had gone through - so it looks like I am now set! Thanks to everyone in thsi thread for the support and encouragement, and thanks to Ben and the site for inspiring me to keep at it!

I also received a separate letter informing me I have the option to make voluntary NICs shortfall payments. It turns out I currently have 3 qualifying years from when I was in sixth form. In total I seem to be able to back-pay 14 years' worth of contributions (I'm turning 34 this year). I'd be interested to know what others in this situation have done - how many years have you paid back?

My understanding is that to receive the full state pension you are required to have paid 35 qualifying years. My state pension age according to the calculator on gov.uk is 68 years old, and I would reach that in 2055. If I simply continue paying now, I would reach the full 35 years in 2052 (as I already have 3 qualifying years). While living abroad, I understand I can choose to stop paying contributions whenever I like, but if I move back the UK I assume I have to pay NICs no matter what. Therefore, so long as I continue to make contributions from now on, and if I plan to move back in a few years time, is there any reason for me to back pay any of my missing 14 years, beyond a change in the law/system?

Spa06Jc wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:07 am Very happy to update that I received a letter last week informing me that a direct debit had been set up for Class 3 contributions, and they had collected a first payment of £657.90 for the period 12/04/2020 to 06/02/2021.

Checked my UK bank and confirmed that the direct debit had gone through - so it looks like I am now set! Thanks to everyone in thsi thread for the support and encouragement, and thanks to Ben and the site for inspiring me to keep at it!

I also received a separate letter informing me I have the option to make voluntary NICs shortfall payments. It turns out I currently have 3 qualifying years from when I was in sixth form. In total I seem to be able to back-pay 14 years' worth of contributions (I'm turning 34 this year). I'd be interested to know what others in this situation have done - how many years have you paid back?

My understanding is that to receive the full state pension you are required to have paid 35 qualifying years. My state pension age according to the calculator on gov.uk is 68 years old, and I would reach that in 2055. If I simply continue paying now, I would reach the full 35 years in 2052 (as I already have 3 qualifying years). While living abroad, I understand I can choose to stop paying contributions whenever I like, but if I move back the UK I assume I have to pay NICs no matter what. Therefore, so long as I continue to make contributions from now on, and if I plan to move back in a few years time, is there any reason for me to back pay any of my missing 14 years, beyond a change in the law/system?

Spa06Jc wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:07 am I also received a separate letter informing me I have the option to make voluntary NICs shortfall payments. It turns out I currently have 3 qualifying years from when I was in sixth form. In total I seem to be able to back-pay 14 years' worth of contributions (I'm turning 34 this year). I'd be interested to know what others in this situation have done - how many years have you paid back?

Chris wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:12 pm
My contact just got back to me and she confirmed it's ok to give you her E-mail address so I just PMed you.

However, I think you have now got it set up

Mogame wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:30 pm
I got accepted into class 2 a few months ago but back payments are 80% class 3 fees even though I fit the criteria for class 2

adamu wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:07 am
I think they do this when you fulfil the requirement for class 2 (working in the UK immediately before moving abroad), but you had some periods of unemployment after moving here. Class 2 is only for people who are working, so the Class 3 payments cover the period where you were not employed.

Mogame wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:30 pm

Chris wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:12 pm
My contact just got back to me and she confirmed it's ok to give you her E-mail address so I just PMed you.

However, I think you have now got it set up

If your contact is ok could I also get her email address?
I got accepted into class 2 a few months ago but back payments are 80% class 3 fees even though I fit the criteria for class 2. A 45min call to HMRC with "Julie" left me with more questions than answers... Julie gave me some great UK customer service nostalgia though

Chris wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 4:58 am Just sent you a PM with her E-mail address. Check your inbox