Class 2 Voluntary Contributions having worked abroad.

Hello, I hope you are all well. On 7/11/22 I paid voluntary NI contributions at the class 3 rate for a period including 2006 to 2013. However, I was working abroad in Australia from 2003 to 2013 which encompasses this six-year interval. (I couldn’t pay any contributions before 2006 as it was too late) I was employed in the UK, immediately before leaving for Australia in 2003, I was born and had previously lived in the UK for 20 years in a row and paid more than 3 years NI contributions. Should I have paid my voluntary contributions at a class 2 rate? If so, could you please let me know how I should apply for a refund. Many thanks, DJ101

Hi DJ101,
If you could complete and return a new CF83 application form, which you may obtain at:-  Apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions when abroad (CF83),
our International Teams will be able to check your entitlement to change from paying voluntary class 3 contributions to voluntary class 2 contributions.  
You should also enclose a note to advise why class 3 contributions were paid rather than the class 2 contributions.
Thank you.

Hi HMRC Admin 20, Thank you for the information. All the best, DJ101