Chris

I'll answer my own question. Qualifying EU citizens do receive UK pensions increases (see the link posted by classwho) There is no distinction between types of NI payments - you accrue years. The number of years dictate the payment.

I have received a reply from HMRC regarding paying voluntary NICs. I am based in the EU and will doubtless stay here when it becomes time to take my UK state pension. There is a statement in the letter stating 'However, the amount you receive does not normally go up when the rates increase in the UK'. I have searched all over and I can find reference to pensions for residents in eg New Zealand having their UK pension not 'uprated' with inflation, but nothing about the voluntary NIC element being frozen. Can you please explain 1. what this statement means 2. how / if it applies to the extra years purchased 3. the year it is frozen eg year purchased, or year the pension starts being paid 4 'not 'normally' as that implies there are situations in which it will be paid without restriction. Thank you