A Uk Old Age Pension For My Thai Mrs?

[alanrobson]

Hello Forum,

Long term reader posting for first time here and seeking some help:

My Thai Mrs is 41, has lived in the UK over 3 years and was recently awarded British nationality. She didn't work to start with but for the last 8 months she has been working part time in a local shop. She works 15 hrs a week and is paid £6.75 per hour, so she makes £101.25 per week and has a tax code (747L).

My quesion is this, will she qualifiy for a state pension? I understand she needs 30 years payments which will be impossible given her age. I am looking for advice on what she needs to do IE can she pay voluntary payments and also advice on what she could claim later IF she doesn't get a pension.

I realise this isn't a visa question but it is concerned with migration and I am sure it is a subject which many posters' parters will face.

As you can imagine I've had absolutely no joy at all trying to get the UKBA / HMCE to answer and even the CAB hasn't come back to me. I might be doing something wrong and now asking the right questions. However, I am not all that bright with this sort of thing.

Thanks forum.

Alan

[7by7]

She will need at leaast 30 years of contributions to get the full state pension, but may still qualify for a reduced pension if she has paid less.

Do you need to top up your National Insurance contributions?

Effect on your basic State Pension if you don't have the full number of qualifying years

If you don't have the full number of qualifying years at State Pension age the amount you'll receive will depend on the date you reached State Pension age and the number of qualifying years you've built up.

You can get an idea of how many years you have to date and how much State Pension you may have built up by following the link below.

• State Pension profiler
  

[TommoPhysicist]

Ask the NI advisory center if she can make voluntary payments for previous years.

You can usually buy about 5 years, costs about 3UKP a week.

Is she making NI contributions on her current wage, if not again she can pay voluntary payments as 'self employed'

(4 years back payments + working until 67 would give her a full pension)

She doesn't actually need to work to 67 as you are currently given free NI payments if unemployed after age 60 (this may only apply to men).

Once you have paid 6 years NI, you are entitled to a state pension, 1/30th for every year you contributed.

She may be able to combine your contributions if you die or divorce her, but conditions vary, you have to ask the center.

Edited May 27, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[alanrobson]

Hello,

Thanks for the response.

Yeh, I know that part, that's as far as I can get too.

Specifically I am asking for chaps on here some more detailed Qs/

1. Does she even make enough now as I see ZERO deduction on her pay slip

2. What other benifts claim if she doesn't have enough contributions? Surely the UK Gov would not see an old woman with no income.......? And there must be loads of 40 somethings who move and stay in the UK and dont have enough contributions.

3. Can she top up her contributions with , I think, class 2 or 3s?

I am hoping that a poster here has been through this same things and can help with the specifics.

Cheers

Alan

PS I am not an educated chap and I can't get my head around this and past the introductory links like the one above.

Cheers.

4.

[alanrobson]

Ask the NI advisory center if she can make voluntary payments for previous years.

You can usually buy about 5 years, costs about 3UKP a week.

Is she making NI contributions on her current wage, if not again she can pay voluntary payments as 'self employed'

(4 years back payments + working until 67 would give her a full pension)

Hello Mate

No, she doesn't seem to be making any payments by looking at her pay slip. Yeas ago I made 12 years of volunary class 3 payments when I was in Thailand but a mate set that up for me. I didnt do it as self employed, I heard that was class 2 contributions and I wasn;t self employed in any country.

Confused to say the least.

Hopefully we'llhav someone in the know around shortly just as all these visa questions get answered by those blokes in the know.

Cheer

Al

[chiang mai]

I believe your wife may be elligible for a state pension based on your contributions, if she does not have sufficent in her own name.

[TommoPhysicist]

She can pay class 3 herself then and pay them in arrears for at least the 3 years she entered the UK.

Class 3 about 12UKP a week, quite expensive.

Class 2 about 2.60UKP a week , cheap but you need to register as self employed

(small ebay trader, not making any profit maybe)

Just had a look and you can pay 6 years of arrears payments.

Edited May 27, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[7by7]

I am hoping that a poster here has been through this same things and can help with the specifics

Possible, of course, but to be honest; unlikely.

Unfortunately, most people who post in this forum stop visiting once their partner has been through the whole process from initial visa to British citizenship.

Of those who do continue, most of them are of an age group where they will have been in employment long enough to receive the full pension.

I can only suggest that you wait a few days to see what replies you receive, and if they don't help you then follow the links in my previous post or contact HMRC directly; or maybe your local job centre can advise.

[alanrobson]

I believe your wife may be elligible for a state pension based on your contributions, if she does not have sufficent in her own name.

Interesting ....anyone got any further information?

Thanks

[alanrobson]

She can pay class 3 herself then and pay them in arrears for at least the 3 years she entered the UK.

Class 3 about 12UKP a week, quite expensive.

Class 2 about 2.60UKP a week , cheap but you need to register as self employed

(small ebay trader, not making any profit maybe)

Just had a look and you can pay 6 years of arrears payments.

Thansk again. where are you looking?

[chiang mai]

I believe your wife may be elligible for a state pension based on your contributions, if she does not have sufficent in her own name.

Interesting ....anyone got any further information?

Thanks

You'll maybe need to do a search on the Pensions site in order to get the details, but in a nutshell:

my ex-wife was able to obtain her UK state pension based on my years of earnings/payments because she didn't have enough in her own right, that's not uncommon in many western countries.

[alanrobson]

I am hoping that a poster here has been through this same things and can help with the specifics

Possible, of course, but to be honest; unlikely.

Unfortunately, most people who post in this forum stop visiting once their partner has been through the whole process from initial visa to British citizenship.

Of those who do continue, most of them are of an age group where they will have been in employment long enough to receive the full pension.

I can only suggest that you wait a few days to see what replies you receive, and if they don't help you then follow the links in my previous post or contact HMRC directly; or maybe your local job centre can advise.

Thanks Mate. I'll hold on and hope someone gives me the answers. There must be plenty who have used this site would get caught up on this. We have plenty of time, she's 41 and I am too. But what the other poster above said is interesting in that he may get a pension based on my contributions. Id have thought the chaps you talk about above are also affected.

Just to add, I id contact HMRC but no answer......must be the cut backs. And there's no job centre here....definately the cut backs.

Cheers all

[7by7]

FYI, Increased basic State Pensions for spouses and civil partners

You may be able to get a basic State Pension, or increase your basic State Pension, based on your spouse or partner's National Insurance contributions. You could qualify to do this if all of the following apply:

• you are married or in a civil partnership
  
• you are not already entitled to a full basic State Pension
  
• your spouse or civil partner was born on or after 6 April 1950
  
• your spouse or civil partner qualifies for some basic State Pension
  
• you have both reached State Pension age
  

Plus, for married men or civil partners only, you could qualify if your wife or civil partner was born on or after 6 April 1950.

How much you get will depend on your spouse or partner's National Insurance contributions record. In 2012-13 you could get up to £64.40 a week. This is even if you don't qualify for any State Pension based on your own National Insurance contributions record.

[7by7]

She can pay class 3 herself then and pay them in arrears for at least the 3 years she entered the UK.

Class 3 about 12UKP a week, quite expensive.

Class 2 about 2.60UKP a week , cheap but you need to register as self employed

(small ebay trader, not making any profit maybe)

Just had a look and you can pay 6 years of arrears payments.

Thansk again. where are you looking?

When and how to top up your National Insurance contributions

[alanrobson]

FYI, Increased basic State Pensions for spouses and civil partners

You may be able to get a basic State Pension, or increase your basic State Pension, based on your spouse or partner's National Insurance contributions. You could qualify to do this if all of the following apply:

• you are married or in a civil partnership
  
• you are not already entitled to a full basic State Pension
  
• your spouse or civil partner was born on or after 6 April 1950
  
• your spouse or civil partner qualifies for some basic State Pension
  
• you have both reached State Pension age
  

Plus, for married men or civil partners only, you could qualify if your wife or civil partner was born on or after 6 April 1950.

How much you get will depend on your spouse or partner's National Insurance contributions record. In 2012-13 you could get up to £64.40 a week. This is even if you don't qualify for any State Pension based on your own National Insurance contributions record.

Thanks for that. Before I start, I will apologise OK cause I am not that bright at undrstanding this sort of thing.

So, it looks like the Mrs could get a pension based on my contributions. To date, since I was 21, I have paid 12 years class 3 voluntary ones. 6 years paid by my employer (I am 41) so it looks like my Mrs can get 64.4 a week at today's rates? That is]n't much as I think my Ma get £100+

Thanks again.

[7by7]

I am not an expert, but I think if your wife is relying on your contributions then she will get less than the full amount.

Remember that all advice offered on this forum comes from the poster's own experience or knowledge. For something of this nature, to be absolutely sure you should check with the relevant government department.

In this case, the Pension Service.

But how about we leave this a couple of days to see if someone more knowledgeable comes along?

[alanrobson]

Good plan, thanks Mate. Appreciated, Al.

[alanrobson]

PS are you married to a Thai and in the UK? If so, what are your plans for this?

[7by7]

Yes and yes, but she will have been living and working here long enough to get her full pension.

[JohnC]

Your wife is earning below the lower earnings limited therefore whilst no payments are deducted she is accruing NI credits to her account. (see. http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2011_rates_and_thresholds_201213.pdf) in addition as stated she can opt to pay the last five years, whilst she continues to work she will be credited with NI contributions and yes she could claim a state pension based on your contributions, if the pension is below a certain level then you can apply for pension credits.

[JohnC]

Just noticed your wife is only 41, given that the retirement age is going to be increased in increments to 67 she will if she continues working have 26 years contributions which give her 26/30 of a state pension plus as previously stated she can opt to buy the last five years giving her a full pension in her own right. Incidentally she is also entitled to a bereavment allowance when you depart this planet currently £2000 plus widows pension! So watch your back lol

[alanrobson]

Yes and yes, but she will have been living and working here long enough to get her full pension.

So, you're Mrs was, what, 30 when she entered the UK. Am I right in thinking that you are sonsiderably older as you said that most people posting here have worked long enough already to pay NI contributions to get a pension.

Assuming for a moment that the above is true and that your Mrs gets to pensionable age after you meet you maker, would she stay in the UK? If not, can she still claim the pension living in THailand or is it frozen when she leaves?

[alanrobson]

Your wife is earning below the lower earnings limited therefore whilst no payments are deducted she is accruing NI credits to her account. (see. http://cdn.hm-treasu...olds_201213.pdf) in addition as stated she can opt to pay the last five years, whilst she continues to work she will be credited with NI contributions and yes she could claim a state pension based on your contributions, if the pension is below a certain level then you can apply for pension credits.

Hi John

How can she be getting credits if she isn;t paying contributions?

So, do you think its best to just wait and see how her job develops before she starts making voluntary contributions?

[alanrobson]

Just noticed your wife is only 41, given that the retirement age is going to be increased in increments to 67 she will if she continues working have 26 years contributions which give her 26/30 of a state pension plus as previously stated she can opt to buy the last five years giving her a full pension in her own right. Incidentally she is also entitled to a bereavment allowance when you depart this planet currently £2000 plus widows pension! So watch your back lol

But if she isn't paying NI contributions then ho can she be good for 26 payments.

And if I die, she wont need to worry about a state pensions, she'd be set for life! That said, my Mrs doesnt come from 'that kind' of background so .......

[SantiSuk]

Why HMRC? Surely this is a DWP matter. The Pension Service Section. Here is their comprehensive contacts page including contacts for international issues.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/Basicstatepension/DG_180132

I have found them very responsive to other questions though not germane to this type of issue. As with all call centres do not call first thing in the morning, at lunchtime or last thing in the afternoon or when the cheap rates set in. 2pm to 4pm is traditionally the quietest period for call centres.

[JohnC]

If you check the link in my first post you will see that people working and earning below the LEL are given automatic credits, much in the same was as registered unemployed are given credits whilst registered even if not entitled to benefits.

[7by7]

Yes and yes, but she will have been living and working here long enough to get her full pension.

So, you're Mrs was, what, 30 when she entered the UK. Am I right in thinking that you are sonsiderably older as you said that most people posting here have worked long enough already to pay NI contributions to get a pension.

No, I didn't. I said "most of them are of an age group where they will have been in employment long enough to receive the full pension." Future, not present.

The age difference between my wife and I is irrelevant; but as you asked it's 6 years.

Why HMRC? Surely this is a DWP matter.

Both. HMRC collect the contributions and it is they you should contact if you wish to make voluntary ones.

[TommoPhysicist]

If you check the link in my first post you will see that people working and earning below the LEL are given automatic credits, much in the same was as registered unemployed are given credits whilst registered even if not entitled to benefits.

I don't believe this to be the case.

While registered as unemployed you get NI payments made.

While working below the NI minimum wage, you get nothing (unless you pay yourself).

I used to do seasonal work and the rules were.

Only months where I earned over 400UKP were liable to NI payments.

Any year in which I earned 2000UKP, by adding all VALID months pay, gave me a full NI contribution for that year.

At the end of each year I would ask how much extra I needed to pay for a full years contribution.

Edited May 28, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[alanrobson]

If you check the link in my first post you will see that people working and earning below the LEL are given automatic credits, much in the same was as registered unemployed are given credits whilst registered even if not entitled to benefits.

Brill, thanks

[alanrobson]

The age difference between my wife and I is irrelevant; but as you asked it's 6 years.

If you re-read, I didnt actually ask you that! Its none of my business apart from the fact that I dont know you and you are just words on a screen!

cheers fior the help also