Page 1 of 4

UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:49 am
by AlanJH
Hi guys,
Just wondering if anybody has the correct information to my question below.

I moved to japan in September 2021 to be with my wife.
I'm currently still only 57, so state pension age is another long 10 years away.
I understand the pension for the uk is frozen from yearly rises while living in Japan.
In my case, will it be frozen from the date I left uk, or will it be frozen at the rate of claiming in 10years time ?
I've paid the required NI contributions and kind of hope I am able to receive the amount set 10 years from know and not the rate to which is was in 2021.
Thank you for any input into my post.
Alan.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:16 am
by RetireJapan
Frozen from when you reach pension age, regardless of whether you take it then or choose to defer :D

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:24 am
by AlanJH
Oh really,
This is fantastic news
I was worried I would be receiving 2021 rates 10 years on from now, but with the triple lock they keep rising pretty well year on year.
So come 2034, I shouldn't be to bad.
Thank you so much for that.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:29 am
by AlanJH
Will I need to continue paying some kind of NI contribution ?
The required amount is 35 years, but I've actually paid in 38 years.
Thanks again ;)

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:32 am
by RetireJapan
AlanJH wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:29 am Will I need to continue paying some kind of NI contribution ?
The required amount is 35 years, but I've actually paid in 38 years.
Thanks again ;)
Check your account online with Government Gateway. It should tell you if you need to pay any more or if you have enough for a full pension.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:26 pm
by AlanJH
I tried accessing the government gateway.
It's not letting me log in due to the security checks.
I only have my passport, nothing else matches their request.
I don't hold a photo license etc and it is asking me questions about credit check dates and details I no longer hold.
I think I will post my new address details to the pension office in the uk and sometime down the line try and call one of the numbers, but reading other posts, that sounds a nightmare, especially if on hold at god knows how many £s per minute.
Cant believe they dont provide online form to mail all such details.
Thanks anyway, any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Alan.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:31 pm
by beanhead
Skype is a very reasonably-priced way to call the UK.

Previously accessing the gateway site was impossible for many expats, but now it can be done by most. I have only a UK passport but was successful in getting access. You need to download an authenticator app for your phone.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:11 pm
by AlanJH
Thank you bean head, its stating my phone is not compatible for this app.
WTF, it's a 2018 Samsung Galaxy S8, not a Nokia 3100.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:31 pm
by Deep Blue
Skype on PC works fine too.

Re: UK pension living in Japan

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:00 am
by RetireJapan
I called HMRC via Skype the other day: got through to a (very pleasant) human in under five minutes, paid a couple of yen per minute.