Have you topped up a UK pension to cover gaps?

[Duffa]

the UK government could move the goalposts at any point and stop allowing ex-pats to pay at a discounted rate......

Never thought of that! Good point.

 

[andye]

Never thought of that! Good point.

There is always the possibility that the whole pension payment will "enhanced".(the most concerning would be some form of means-testing)
It's probably not a huge risk as it would be pretty vulnerable to legal challenge but the UK financial position is not hunky-dory and it's classed as a benefit rather than a guarantee.
I still think it's too good a punt to miss but will pay the last few years prospectively

 

[MattA]

Yep. I think “enhancements” over the 20 years before I become eligible are inevitable.

That said, I think this discussion has convinced me to hedge my bets by backpaying a few more years now than I had initially been thinking. Thanks all for the insights.

 

[SydneySwan]

A data point, even though it is an old one. I paid my catch-up years back in 2019. My letter approving class 2 was dated 4/6/19 and arrived 16/7/19. I paid immediately and then received a 'payment received' letter dated 7/8/19 on 2/9/19. It took a few months though for that payment to be allocated to the various years on my NI record.

There is definitely legislative risk regarding rule enhancements. In 2016 the number of qualifying years required for a full pension was increased from 30 to 35. Those deciding not to pay for some years in case they have an early meeting with their maker might like to reflect as the number of qualifying years is only likely to go up. You may not have the opportunity to buy those unpaid years in the future if you need them. £180 per annum seems a small price to pay.

The logistics of paying future years is simpler if you have a UK bank account and set up a direct debit. The DWP will send you a letter each year advising how much they are going to debit you.

The best bit is the massive ad on the back of the envelope promoting their app. “Go paperless” it says. Maybe HMRC could take their own advice and communicate in a way that doesn’t take over a month to reach us out here…

The reference to paperless should be posted in the 'A bit of humour' thread. There is nothing remotely paperless or modern when it comes to dealing with the DWP bureaucracy.