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

So finally, my payments for 17 years of Class 2 back in May 2024 have been updated fully on the system, having been only half updated in October. That approximately doubled my contributions to the full amount.
I have been getting a pension now since August, but at the old forecasted rate (£102). I rang the International Pension centre to see if the forecast/pension would increase now the system was updated. She checked my details and said it would increase to £203 in due course. I was glad to have confirmation of the updated pension amount as I could not find that anywhere on the system, and was hoping that my class 2 payments were not in vane!
I can relax now!
 
So finally, my payments for 17 years of Class 2 back in May 2024 have been updated fully on the system, having been only half updated in October. That approximately doubled my contributions to the full amount.
I have been getting a pension now since August, but at the old forecasted rate (£102). I rang the International Pension centre to see if the forecast/pension would increase now the system was updated. She checked my details and said it would increase to £203 in due course. I was glad to have confirmation of the updated pension amount as I could not find that anywhere on the system, and was hoping that my class 2 payments were not in vane!
I can relax now!
Let us now when the payment actually increases.
 
Hi All, sorry if this has been asked already...

I'm filling out my CF83 an have no record of key dates, nor can I remember when exactly I left London back in 1992 (e.g. Q7 & Q17). Should I just fill in the form leaving blank the boxes for DD & MM...? Has anyone done this and still been successful? I'm worried the form will be deemed invalid if the boxes are left blank.
*Edit: Just to add, that if you try to fill in the online CF83, you can't proceed without filling in a day & month. Unsurprisingly, I can't remember the date I left 32 years ago!
Any guidance greatly appreciated, thanks.
 
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Put in the dates as best you can recall. If they need more info they'll ask.
Ok, so I'll just have to make up dates then and hope there are no repercussions!
I have decided to actually send a printed copy of the form along with a covering letter to explain that the dates are a best guess etc. I saw it advised in earlier threads/posts to send a covering letter by registered post, so that's what I'll do. Thanks for your feedback.
 
I'm presuming that Irish nationals, formerly resident and working in UK, are not affected. Can someone confirm please?
"This is because although the UK state pension is payable overseas, it is not “uprated” annually unless there is a legal requirement to do so – for example, where there is a relevant reciprocal social security agreement in place."

Confirmed.
 
So there is a relevant reciprocal social security agreement in place between Ireland and the UK.

Thanks DannyBoy.
 
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
 
As long as you have applied and are in the system, they will honour that.

Wait till after the Christmas break and send a follow up letter.
 
Firstly, a word of thanks for the original posters on this topic and the many helpful posts thereafter.
In case it will be of use to anyone, my experience so far is as follows:
  • I had 3 years of NICs (the bare minimum I think) from my time working in the UK. In April I filled out the CF83 etc and received confirmation from HMRC in May that I qualify to make Class 2 contributions.
  • In July I paid an additional 7 years of NICs back to take me up to the minimum 10-year threshold. My (flawed) thinking here was to bring my total years of contributions up to the minimum of 10 before seeking confirmation from the Pensions Service that further payments would increase my state pension (as seemed to be the advice in the correspondence from HMRC).
  • 22 weeks later and my NI record has still not been updated online. The rep that I spoke to today advised me that as long as the money is in HMRC’s custody by the deadline of April’25 rest assued my contributions are valid, regardless of how long it eventually takes to update my record on their end (29 weeks from today will be July'25).
  • So, rather than wait any longer I decided to pay all of the rest of the shortfall today (with another Revolut transfer) which should bring my number of full years to 21. Based on the 29 week waiting period, the second payment should be reflected in my NI record around July'25.
  • My next task will be to find out how future annual contributions can be made, but that's for another day.
Bit of a rollercoaster this, but well worth it in the end I hope. Thanks again for the many informative posts on this topic.
 
Yeah I bought 3 years April 24th and nothing showing for me either :(
Just out of curiosity, I wonder is the payment update/response on line related to one's proximity to retirement age? I've 10.5 years to go for UK pension and I paid in March and it still hasn't shown up on line? Do those (Mulder?) who have had payments made since then updated online reflect this in being closer to retirement than me?
 
Just out of curiosity, I wonder is the payment update/response on line related to one's proximity to retirement age? I've 10.5 years to go for UK pension and I paid in March and it still hasn't shown up on line? Do those (Mulder?) who have had payments made since then updated online reflect this in being closer to retirement than me?
Well, I've 20 years to go so could explain why I'm further down the queue!
 
I transferred 18 years voluntary contributions to HMRC at the end of October and as of today, no sign of it being applied to my record. I have seen a number of comments here that it takes 6+ months for it to appear which really worries me as this is likely to take me beyond the 5th April deadline.

Can anyone offer any insight to this?
 
Whatever delay anybody is seeing is anecdotal at best. As long as you apply before the deadline your contributions will be accepted. The UK Government is honest in that regard.
 
I transferred 18 years voluntary contributions to HMRC at the end of October and as of today, no sign of it being applied to my record. I have seen a number of comments here that it takes 6+ months for it to appear which really worries me as this is likely to take me beyond the 5th April deadline.

Can anyone offer any insight to this?
If you ring them they can confirm they have received it. You can also ask them for a letter confirming both that they received the money and which years it will be applied to.
 
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