NI Voluntary Class 2 contributions

[bjmarren]

Hi all,

I contacted HMRC today to find out what the Class 2 NI rates were for 2016/17 and 2017/18 as I wanted to make sure my contributions were up to date. I should add that I've been living and working overseas for the last 20 years and although I had paid enough contributions to qualify for a full pension, part of those contributions were at the contracted rates, thereby reducing my pension, but I could top up my pension by continuing to pay Class 2, but only from 2016/17 on-wards. I had previously been given to understand that the Class 2 rates were to be abolished after the 2018/19 year to perhaps be replaced by Class 3 rates, which are about 3 times more expensive. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that Class 2 rates will now continue on as before and will not be abolished, well not until some later date maybe. I had not read any thing about this in the press but apparently the decision was made in early September this year.

I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that such payments could now be made online. I haven't had to make such a payment for a number of years now, always having had to send cheques through the post which I didn't like.

I hope this is usual for some people.

Cheers,

Brendan

Moderator Message:
Moved from International & Expat Investors to Pensions - Practical Problems (leaving a link). - Chris

[chas49]

Previously discussed at viewtopic.php?f=17&p=165113#p165113

[torata]

Hi all,

I contacted HMRC today to find out what the Class 2 NI rates were for 2016/17 and 2017/18 as I wanted to make sure my contributions were up to date.
[SNIP]
I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that such payments could now be made online. I haven't had to make such a payment for a number of years now, always having had to send cheques through the post which I didn't like.

Thank you for that information.
Funnily enough, I contacted them as well to find out why my cheque hadn't been cashed. Apparently they have a 10-week delay in processing contributions.

torata

[DrBunsenHoneydew]

They expect people to pay their Class 2 NI through the annual Tax Return nowadays and don't have a slick process for people randomly writing in with a cheque in the post!