Key Post UK State Pension - Make voluntary contributions to qualify for UK pension on top of Irish pension

Apologies for the super basic question but I am only recently learning of this and have a question before I really start to reading up on this. Is there eligibility limits depending on where you live?

Some background;
Wife (Irish) has over 10yrs contributions in UK
Then moved back to Ireland for a couple of years before moving to current home in USA in 2012.
Stopped working just before going to USA due to us starting family. Since then is just part of our joint tax return but no independent income

If she is eligible, seems like it would be a no-brainer to buy back years
 
Best way to find out is to complete CF83.
Hi DannyBoyD, I hope I'm not going over old turf and apologies if I am.. I made NI contributions from '85 to '94 (whereupon I returned to Ireland). Mid way thru that period I was contracted out. I've recently managed to back pay the voluntary contributions for 2006 to 2024 (18 extra years! which is a great relief) but here's a question. Am I correct in assuming those voluntary NI contribution rates between 2006 and 2016 are the equivalent of the NI rates for the new pension from 2016 onwards (in contrast to the contracted out rates while working)? In other words am I right in saying the 'contracted out' rates only apply during the period I was working? Thanks for any advice.
 
Trying to make payment to HMRC by revolut using HMRC IBAN but can't fit the whole reference number in the reference box in revolut. Anyone else have this problem?
 
Hiya, im just wondering if there is an online form (or any other way to apply online) that I can fill out to apply for class 2 contributions instead of class 3?
Hi all,

So I applied online and got a reply back saying I was eligible for class 3 contributions. I sent a letter back with proof to show that I have been working full time since i returned to ireland in 2005 and asked to be reassesed to pay class 2 contributions. I sent this letter on 2nd November. When Iogged onto HMRC, it said I wouldn't get a reply until November 2025!!! This is obviously past the April 2025 deadline. Does anyone know how i can do this online instead? It's a lot of documents to upload so that is why I sent it via post but I didn't realise how long it would take to get a reply. Would anyone have any advice as to what my next step should be?

Thank you
 
Hi, I paid my voluntary NI contributions a few weeks ago. On the 'State Pension statement' that outlined the shortfall amounts, it says 'Due to changes in the law, you need the Pension Service to confirm whether your State Pension will increase if you pay any shortfall'. I tried phoning earlier, and it sounded like a maze. As it's obvious that I will benefit from paying the shortfall, is there a requirement to ring, or any penalty if I don't??
 
is there a requirement to ring, or any penalty if I don't??
There was a change back in 2016 to pension assessment / contributions. Its convoluted, but you don't have to contact them. The paragraph is included in the letter as a CYA.
 
Hiya, im just wondering if there is an online form (or any other way to apply online) that I can fill out to apply for class 2 contributions instead of class 3?
If you still haven't had a reply to the class2 request, ring them next week.
 
exact same issue. expected to be Class 2 but it's offering at Class 3.
does anyone know the best number to call them on?
thanks

edit - might be best for people in Ireland in similar situation to first contact the Future Pension Centre on +44 (0)191 218 3600.
don't think they're working today as I bounced through a few options then at the end they said they were unable to take the call and hung up.
 
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expected to be Class 2 but it's offering at Class 3.
If this is online, it defaults to Class 3. Fill in the CF83.

If you have completed CF83 & the response is Class 3; appeal it & add copies of your documentation. Do this by post.
 
hi, I have been trying for months for figure this out for my dad who worked for an English company and paid in the NI for 5 years, he has been offered class 3-looking at a payment to buy back 5 years at around 5000 euro. I have been trying and trying to call every number I can find to figure how much he would potentially get if he were to buy into the pension-he'll be 65 in couple of years. Is it possible that he could qualify for the class 2-if so what do I need to prove that. Im sorry if all of this has been asked before Im just so confused. Is there a specific number I can call. Thanks so much in advance for any help/guidance
 
www.gov.uk/new-state-pension

Your National Insurance record​

You’ll need 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any new State Pension.

A qualifying year is one in which you were:

You might also qualify if you’ve lived or worked abroad or paid reduced rate National Insurance for married women.



www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/what-youll-get


The UK new state pension is GBP 221.20 per week



Assume @sneezer father is 63 now.

Worked in UK for five years, plus add voluntary NIC of five years to be purchased, therefore ten years.

Add three more years voluntary NIC purchased in the future, to age 66.

13 years NIC total.

Are my calculations correct here? Possible future UK State pension= (13 / 35 years) * (221.20pw)(52.18 weeks) = GBP 4,287 per year.
 
dad who worked for an English company and paid in the NI for 5 years, he has been offered class 3-looking at a payment to buy back 5 years
This isn't adding up for me. Has he completed CF83?

Can you give dates

1. Worked in UK
2. Moved to Ireland
 
Trying to make payment to HMRC by revolut using HMRC IBAN but can't fit the whole reference number in the reference box in revolut. Anyone else have this problem?
I had this issue too, the guidelines on the HMRC website is to fit in as many characters as possible.

The reference must have your NI Number followed by the letters IC, then surname and first letter of first name. So say for example your NI Number is AA123456B and your name is John Sullivan, your reference would be AA123456BICSULLIVANJ.

However, if the bank limits the number of characters in the reference (Revolut's limit is 18, if I remember correctly), you may not be able to put this reference in in full. This would cut off the NJ at the end of the above example. This is ok as long as your full NI Number followed by the letters IC are present, it won't matter if your full name is not included.
 
I had this issue too, the guidelines on the HMRC website is to fit in as many characters as possible.

The reference must have your NI Number followed by the letters IC, then surname and first letter of first name. So say for example your NI Number is AA123456B and your name is John Sullivan, your reference would be AA123456BICSULLIVANJ.

However, if the bank limits the number of characters in the reference (Revolut's limit is 18, if I remember correctly), you may not be able to put this reference in in full. This would cut off the NJ at the end of the above example. This is ok as long as your full NI Number followed by the letters IC are present, it won't matter if your full name is not included.
Thank you
 
This isn't adding up for me. Has he completed CF83?

Can you give dates

1. Worked in UK
2. Moved to Ireland
im not sure if he completed cf83, he worked for Stena line-english shipping/ferry company stationed in wexford back in the 1983-1988 for 5years. He has not lived in uk only Ireland but has paid NI contributions for those 5 years
 
Still not quite adding up here; if he hasn't completed CF83, who has told him to pay Class 3?

If he was living / working in Ireland then I don't follow how he was paying UK national insurance contributions.

Does he have a National Insurance Number?
 
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