HI just wondering if somebody would be able to help me. I worked in the UK from 9th May 1989 to 1st April 1992. Had a break, then went back to Uk and worked for another few weeks doing office temping around August September 1992, can't remember exact dates. I contracted out of the UK pension and put my money into a private pension, was it called serps or something. Anyway just wondering if I am still eligible to buy back years or is it worth my while looking into it. BTW I cashed that policy in and got 5k. Thanks so much.
UK pension - am I still eligible to buy back years?
- Thread starter Dopey1
- Start date
november16
Registered User
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Somebody else more knowledgeable may happen along soon in the meantime I think you should at least investigate it but fast as the deadline is April to buy back years 2006 to 2016. You could check DannyboyD key posts. Your National Insurance payments of 3 years could get you Class 2 and they used to add years as well. DannyboyD is the resident expert and may be able to give you an answer, but probably having a much deserved break. it’s the state pension you would be buying back voluntary years for, not the occupational pension. If you have your national insurance number you should make your enquiries and fill our the application form or online form
If you have your UK National Insurance number you can make an account on Government.co.uk and look at your Pension statement to see how many years you have been credited with.
You need to upload a pic of your passport etc to make the account and there's a bit of tooing and froing with codes to your phone etc. https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services/register
But worth doing if you want to look at your record because they credited a lot of people with 3 extra years if they already had 3 years of stamps over there.
If you are totally non techie then ring the International Pension Centre with your NI number to hand.
www.gov.uk
You need to upload a pic of your passport etc to make the account and there's a bit of tooing and froing with codes to your phone etc. https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services/register
But worth doing if you want to look at your record because they credited a lot of people with 3 extra years if they already had 3 years of stamps over there.
If you are totally non techie then ring the International Pension Centre with your NI number to hand.
International Pension Centre
International Pension Centre contact details for pension enquiries if you've lived or worked abroad
Yes
Yes
Read key post and work from there; do it today, time is running out.
Thank you so much for all the answers. Will do it this week.
Hi DannyBoyD
I am hoping you can answer a quick question for me. I filled out my form CF83 back in March 25 and heard back from them 21st May, giving me details of class 2 and class 3 contributions from 2016 to 2025 (18 years).. I tried to get through to the Future Pension people to see what years are relevant as I was told the UK Pension changed in 2016 and maybe not all years are relevant and won't add to your UK pension so no point in paying them.. anyway can not get the Future Pension guys, have the correct number but just keeps cutting me off seemingly they are overloaded with calls. So I just paid the full amount for the 18 years from 2006 to 2025, I rang them to make sure they received same, they said they did but it hasn't been allocated and will hold off til I get the Future Pension confirmation of relevant years.. but I am hoping you or some one might know which years count towards your UK Pension? thanks in advance for any help..
I am hoping you can answer a quick question for me. I filled out my form CF83 back in March 25 and heard back from them 21st May, giving me details of class 2 and class 3 contributions from 2016 to 2025 (18 years).. I tried to get through to the Future Pension people to see what years are relevant as I was told the UK Pension changed in 2016 and maybe not all years are relevant and won't add to your UK pension so no point in paying them.. anyway can not get the Future Pension guys, have the correct number but just keeps cutting me off seemingly they are overloaded with calls. So I just paid the full amount for the 18 years from 2006 to 2025, I rang them to make sure they received same, they said they did but it hasn't been allocated and will hold off til I get the Future Pension confirmation of relevant years.. but I am hoping you or some one might know which years count towards your UK Pension? thanks in advance for any help..
My letter also recommended contacting future pensions before paying the 18 years shortfall but like you I could never get through as I was cut off everytime. I just went ahead and paid the 18 years class 2 in March 2025. I am still waiting for it to be allocated to the correct years but hopefully that will happen in the next few weeks.
Raging Bull
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I put my application by post over 2 years ago. There was no online option at the time. They requested more employment history gave them a CV. There was a conflict of date of job leaving the UK.. I had it out by a year...anyway I'm told because I'm post it will be another 71 weeks...also once they write the letter I have 30 days to pay rather unfair given they always pay wrong stamp and letter takes 2 weeks...all in all it will take 3.5 yrs
They said I was early so no online at time I did it
They said I was early so no online at time I did it
Dr Strangelove
Registered User
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- 2,188
A colleague posted a letter off in late March 2025 and has heard nothing yet. Likely to be a huge backlog.
That sounds too long. Send them a letter to remind them and note that the timing of the original form.
why would anyone wait 2 years before chasing up.
Do you have a copy of the CF83? And / or proof of delivery.