Lived but did not work overseas. Fill gaps in NI contributions.

I immigrated to Canada from the UK in 2004. At that time I had paid 18 full years of National Insurance contributions. I worked in Canada for about 4 years and paid into the Canadian Pension Plan. In 2008 I left Canada and have been traveling and living in various courtiers around the world without working or paying into any pension schemes. I wish to fill the gaps in my UK NI contributions for those years (starting from 2006-2007 to date) to bring it up to 35 qualifying years to claim my full state pension. Can I do that even though I did not live or work in the UK? Do I need to pay class 2 or 3 contributions? Thanks

Hi ryanx,
As you have been living and working abroad you should read leaflet NI38: Social Security abroad: NI38 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Social Security abroad: NI38
This gives you advice on Voluntary NICs and includes the application form (CF83) to complete and return should you wish to make Voluntary NICs for future years and/or just to fill in any shortfall years.
If you wish to apply for Class2 NICs you should also include an employment history for your periods abroad to enable us to confirm if you meet the criteria for Class2.  
Thank you. 

 

What is the point of paying class 2 contributions when WORKING and class 3 when NOT WORKING, especially in countries with no connections or agreements with the UK? Shouldn't that be the other way around? Some of my work was casual tutoring so I was not registered anywhere and below the tax threshold. Is some kind of documentary evidence always required?

Hi ryanx,

If you are living abroad and not working abroad (employed or self employed) and want to maintain your UK NI record for Pension purposes you can make Class3 Voluntary NICs.
However, if you are employed or self employed abroad you may wish to maintain your UK NI record for other contribution-based benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, Maternity Allowance in addition to maintaining your basic State Pension and in this case you may be able to pay the Class2 rate of NIC?  
The leaflet NI38 Social Security abroad: Social Security abroad: NI38 explains about the different Classes of NICs and the criteria for applying for voluntary NICs.
 If you are applying for Class2 NICs you are advised to enclose a covering letter with the application form CF83 outlining your employment/self employment periods abroad to determine if Class2 will be applicable.  
If our International Caseworker Team does not have enough information from the CF83 and/or covering letter to make a decision, they will request more information.
This is normally if dates/periods are unclear.  Documentary evidence is not normally required if you have provided sufficient details.

Thank you.

Does the amount of money you earn abroad make a difference? For example if you were living off some earnings supplemented by savings. I do not need to make any other claim and only wish to pay to fill the gaps in my national insurance contributions for my state pension. Thanks

Hi ryanx,

The amount of money you earn does not make a difference.
The periods of employment do make a difference, therefore you will need to provide exact dates of employment/self-employment with your application.

Thank you.