Class 2 Voluntary NI

I just received a letter from HMRC where they agreed to let me pay voluntary 4 years of Class 2 NI. They want one year of Class 3 which I might not pay - this is for the year I left the UK. For anyone else considering trying to pay Class 2 they were happy with me saying I was self -employed when I arrived in the US. I was but they didn't ask for any proof.

Now, in order to pay this it requires an 18 digit reference number which they didn't send - so I suppose I now have to write back again and say I want this and wait another 3 months for a response? Or I guess I could try calling - last 2 times I gave in after being on hold for more than 20 mins.

Thanks

A

I would write back, what’s the rush?  I did all this about 10 years ago by mail from Texas. Yes, it did take a long time, but the amount I had to pay didn’t change because of the wait and I won’t start collecting OAP until next year anyway,

Relax, be happy.

When I applied for Class 2, I received the remittance letter with 'UTR' a few weeks after acknowledgement of acceptance. You can pay via bank transfer, or if outside the U.K via DD  (U.K. bank).

Depending on you age and qualifying years and any 'opt out' on you record, paying the partial Class 2 maynot be helpful.

I have 25 years currently, and can catch up another 5 years - 4 at class 2 rates and one at class 3 rate. For some reason they are allowing me to make a class 3 contribution back to 2006. So if I pay these that gives me 30 out of a maximum of 35. I have another 4 year to go yet so presumably I can continue to pay another 4 years at class2 which will give me almost a full pension.

Of course I'll be hit by the WEP in the US but an extra 8 years at 158 / year seems like a bargain to me. I'd pay the same WEP with or without these 8/9 additional years.

A

The good thing is NIVC will not affect WEP. Max those Class 2's...

The good thing is NIVC will not affect WEP. Max those Class 2's...

Exactly right and the record of NI contributions from the DWP clearly shows which years were voluntary contributions not from a job.

So if I have 10 years out of 35 as voluntary, my WEP will be based on 25/35 of my UK pension? I still think that will put me at the max WEP which is 430 or so I believe?

I see WEP revamp is under consideration in congress again, as well.

A

So if I have 10 years out of 35 as voluntary, my WEP will be based on 25/35 of my UK pension? I still think that will put me at the max WEP which is 430 or so I believe?

I see WEP revamp is under consideration in congress again, as well.

A

Correct.