Key Post UK State Pension - Make voluntary contributions to qualify for UK pension on top of Irish pension

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First of all, many many thanks to everyone on here whose contributions have been a fantastic help, most especially to DannyBoyD to whom we owe an unpayable debt for his work (and his patience!) on this.

I've been told that though I've had an offer (with C3 payments) with a deadline this month that I don't need to pay it because I contend I'm C2 and have sent evidence inc. my Irish employment record to support my claim. I've not been given this in writing (and won't be) but have been told so several times on the phone and also told that the deadline is likely to be moved despite it's been different for everyone (it's 31 days from the offer date). The C2/C3 class dispute won't be resolved before the deadline passes. I'm borrowing the money so would delay if I can but what's the risk? I'm very confident about the C2 class based on my reading the advice and postings on here.

I've one other small query - It's pretty clear that people who've retired already and are drawing a pension can qualify but not if they qualified for a pension before 6th April 2016. Is this right and has anyone seen exceptions to this e.g. those who deferred their pension for a number of years and started to collect it after 2016 though they qualified before 2016.
 
DannyBoyD said:
Its my belief that the "10 years" will apply to new applicants only
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I was reading a post on boards.ie about "UK state pension" forum and a poster said that they asked the guy on the phone about what happens after April 2026, the person in HMRC read out an email that was sent to all staff members saying that all class 2 contributors will be switched to class 3 after April 2026. That more or less confirms your belief is correct.
 
@DannyBoyD would you mind taking a quick look if you get a chance please? I'd really appreciate it as I'd be keen to know if I did something wrong in my original CF83 or if HMRC are trying to cover up their own mistakes by asking me to complete another CF83:

Key Post - UK State Pension - Make voluntary contributions to qualify for UK pension on top of Irish pension

Once you have been approved DannyBoy, that is the key thing. I have paid a few C2s in the last few years without the notice and I have never had an issue..... yet!!
www.askaboutmoney.com
 
@PoundMan - keep in mind I am not the decision maker.

I think it might be Q20 that's raised a hare.

If you are, say, a Civil Servant, you might consider that you are 'working for an overseas government'.

But if you look at the followup question, it reads to me that they are enquiring about an overseas secondment type arrangement.

So I think I would answer no to Q20.

And unless you have a UK bank account, you wont be able to pay by DD.
 
I didn’t get a letter for 2023 to 2024 yet. Does anyone know what the class 2 amount is for that year? I’m debating just transferring the money. Or should I ring to confirm first. On the gateway it says …..This year is not included in your State Pension forecast because your record needs updating …..and to contact HMRC to update this records.Should I ring them or just take a chance and transfer. Any further year I get at class 2 is a bonus now.
 
2023/24 is £179.40. Same for 2024/25. I just receive quarterly letters advising of my Class 3 Contributions that are due - I ignore them as I don't pay
Class 3. I spoke to them recently and they confirmed that I can still pay Class 2 and they confirmed that amount as being £179.40. Suggest you just pay this amount with the appropriate reference etc.
 
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I have 3 years NIC as of April 2026, have moved back to Ireland August 2025, applied to pay voluntary NIC this week just as a shot in the dark...

I presume as the first year I will be eligible to pay is 2026/2027, I will be denied as I won't have 10 years contributions? Or is it possible that if my application is processed within 2025/2026 year I will be allowed to make contributions from 2026 onwards?

Has anyone any ideas - I realise I could call HMRC but curious if anyone has had anything similar
 
Seaniemed said:
I have 3 years NIC as of April 2026, have moved back to Ireland August 2025, applied to pay voluntary NIC this week just as a shot in the dark...

I presume as the first year I will be eligible to pay is 2026/2027, I will be denied as I won't have 10 years contributions? Or is it possible that if my application is processed within 2025/2026 year I will be allowed to make contributions from 2026 onwards?

Has anyone any ideas - I realise I could call HMRC but curious if anyone has had anything similar
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I presume your 3 years of NIC are from 2022-2026 so you have no NIC dating from before that and dunno if you were entitled to the 3 complimentary years granted to new entrants from back in the day, which would give you six in total. From that scenario it would seem a challenge for you to reach 10 years as I don't believe you can buy back the other two years 2020-22 (out of five that you can go back) before you commenced work in the UK. So all in all I would say it doesn't look great beyond, is there any prospect of you being able to work another (even parts of) 7 years (or 4 if you are credited with the initial 3) in the UK before you turn 67? Might be better focusing on your Irish OA pension and private pension contributions here at this stage. But see what HM Revenue come back to re your application anyway.
 
Thanks for the reply. Yeah it might be possible for me to do a spot of work to get up to the 10 years of NICs but it probably isn't worth it overall. Will see what HMRC say
 
Hi Guys,

New to this thread, so sorry if this has been asked already, but as i havent heard anything from HMRC, I'm getting a bit worried. I applied for the HMRC call back last April 2025 ahead of the required deadline (on 2/4/25). This was supposed to happen within 8 weeks. I'm still awaiting this call back as of 05/01/26. I also filled out and posted the CF83 form to pay additional Class 2 Contributions to top up my previous years on April 1st 2025. Sent this by recorded delivery and have proof of delivery but i haven't heard anything from HMRC since. I tried phoning but their numbers cost a bloody fortune/minute and no one answers. Not sure what i should do next?

Every time i log into my HMRC Gov gateway to check when I'll get at reply the date seems to be pushed out, see snip below, when i check over the last 3 months the date has changed each time i logged in?

Pretty concerned i might miss out if i cant pay these class 2 contributions soon?

Thanks for any help offered.

Cheers

Thomas

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HMRC received my postal application on 20 Feb 2025 and I received a letter from them today. Letter was dated 26 Nov. Outcome very positive and I will make my payment today. I would think you are still ok .
 
Hi Daph,

The CF83 form I Filled out had my old address on it, only clocked this before Christmas, and i dont have access to that address anymore to check the post. I've updated my address on the HMRC gov gateway since but, I could have easily missed said letter, :eek:. Is there any email address or number I can call to check?

Cheers
 
Write a letter, attach a copy of your CF83 and let them know you've changed address.

As long as your application was in before the deadline, they will honour that.
 
Hi all, hope somebody can help me. So today I received their letter letting me know I have 7 years towards uk pension. The letter was dated 11th December. From 2006 to 2019 they told me i have 31 days from date of letter to pay C3 rates. The last 6 years C2. First of all I was working for a few of the years they have me as C3. Do I write to them showing them proof of this. Also will I get an extended time to pay as the 31 days is nearly up. Tomorrow is the 6th Jan. Thank you all so much.
 
Write and appeal the Class 3, attach copies of supporting documentation.

Pay the Class 2, or as many years as you can & then continue making payments as soon as you have the dosh.
 
Thanks DannyBoyD, do you think they will give me an extra week or two to pay, I just have to arrange to get the money.
 
Hi everybody, so sorry about the questions. I noticed on the front of my letter they said we have looked at your information on your application
and have decided you pay c2 contributions by a yearly payment. But then on the other side of the letter from 2006 to 2025, they have me as c3 until 2019. Im so confused. Also do credited contributions count on your prsi record or do they all have to be paid contributions from working.
 
Dopey1 said:
Also do credited contributions count on your prsi record or do they all have to be paid contributions from working.
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You mean towards the Irish Old Age Contributory Pension? Credits can count towards that. Your PRSI contribution statement will clarify which PRSI payments and credits are reckonable for contributory pension purposes.

Contribution Statement

<p>Request a statement of your history and record of contributions paid</p>
services.mywelfare.ie services.mywelfare.ie
 
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