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.

[phetphet]

You only have until 5th April to notify that you wish to top up. However if you phone before then, they will register you, and even if it takes a few months for them to get around to it you will be OK. But you do need to register before the 5th.

 

I don't think they will be bothered whether you were working or not. They are only interested in if you paid into any other social security system or made any payments to the UK system or perhaps any tax due.

.

 

HTH

[cmsally]

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

You only have until 5th April to notify that you wish to top up. However if you phone before then, they will register you, and even if it takes a few months for them to get around to it you will be OK. But you do need to register before the 5th.

 

I don't think they will be bothered whether you were working or not. They are only interested in if you paid into any other social security system or made any payments to the UK system or perhaps any tax due.

.

 

HTH

Do you have details of the phone number and what info. is needed?

[phetphet]

2 hours ago, cmsally said:

Do you have details of the phone number and what info. is needed?

You can fill in the form at this address to ask for a call back.

It should register you just by completing and returning it.  

 

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/request-a-call-back-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/contact-form

 

Or try the UK Pension Service on one of these numbers for advice:

Telephone: 0800 731 0469
Textphone: 0800 731 0464