Topping up UK State Pension

[greenmonkey]

Hello,

 

Looking for some general advice about topping up missed contributions to my UK state pension. For my sins I have been in the UK since 2023. Before that I was in Thailand 2015 to 2023, I was working a mixture of English teaching (cash in hand) and online work (using paypal) - all of these years are obviously showing as incomplete years for my UK state pension. I am looking at making voluntary contributions. However, I do not know if it is best to tell them (HMRC) I was not working for the period abroad or if to tell them I was working self-employed for the period. I don't know how it affects their decision-making and I don't know if they will ask for documents to prove I was working self-employed whilst in Thailand (i.e. taxes paid in Thailand). My knowledge about this stuff is pretty bad... anyone who can advise? TIA

[CharlieH]

MOVED to UK Forum

[steve187]

class 3 ( voluntary) contributions are about £17 per week, class 2 (self employed ) are about £3.50 per week.

you only have until 5th April to  pay for any gaps older than 6 years, there are rules that govern paying class 2 when working overseas. see here - https://www.gov.uk/pay-class-2-national-insurance/if-you-work-or-live-abroad

[Kinnock]

I topped up to receive full pension after calculating that even with the frozen pension I would benefit if I live to 75+.

 

You need to calculate the potential benefit versus the cost.

 

Of course you also need to assume the UK will not be bankrupted by illegal immigrant hotel costs, destroyed in a nuclear war with Russia (or US or both) or hit be an asteroid.

 

[scubascuba3]

You can do it online, i have 3 years missing, not a big deal, in the future it may end up being means tested so could be a waste of time and money, I'll decide nearer the time

[sammieuk1]

And don't forget if you receive or it takes you over £12,570 pa you pay tax at 20%  🤔

[Upnotover]

Did you already do the online pension forecast?  (https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension)  That will tell you how many years you need to add to get the full pension.  I have many missing years but still qualify for the full pension, no need to top up anything.

[steve187]

On 3/31/2025 at 8:31 PM, Kinnock said:

I topped up to receive full pension after calculating that even with the frozen pension I would benefit if I live to 75+.

 

You need to calculate the potential benefit versus the cost.

 

Of course you also need to assume the UK will not be bankrupted by illegal immigrant hotel costs, destroyed in a nuclear war with Russia (or US or both) or hit be an asteroid.

 

a NIC class 3 stamp is £17.45 weekly, paying for 1 year, would add £ 6.88 weekly to your pension, so 2.5 years to draw even, live to be older than 70 to gain.

a class 2 stamp of £3.45 weekly (£180 per year ) would take receiving the increased amount for 6 months to draw even.