NatDaw Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 Hello All, Hoping someone can give me a clear answer on this. Born and lived in UK until I was 10, moved to Australia and now 25 years later, looking to move back to UK in a few years time. ive written to HMRC about eligibility to pay towards National Insurance while I’m still in Australia so I can try and qualify for as much UK pension as possible as we won’t be entitled to collect Aussie pension in UK. Was told yes i can pay contributions while in Oz and given the band rate and to write to them again to set up payment and fill out a form, which I did, but problem is I don’t have an NI#. Got a letter back saying I can’t contribute without a NI#. I never worked in UK as I was only 10 when I left, so didn’t have a NI# when I left obviously. Seems impossible to get a NI# unless you are living in UK, is that correct? Why didn’t HMRC tell me that in the first letter as I gave them my full history for them to advise? Or am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, NatDaw said: Seems impossible to get a NI# unless you are living in UK, is that correct? That's correct. To get a NI number, you have to be legally resident in the UK AND have a job or the offer of a job. You are right, someone at HMRC stuffed up, obviously they didn't bother to read your letter properly. Getting a NI number has everything to do with residency and nothing to do with citizenship. In your shoes, if you've made up your mind to go, I would move sooner rather than later. It will work out better not just for your state pension, but also for private pension, buying a home etc. Edited October 24, 2021 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip1 Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 9 hours ago, NatDaw said: Hello All, Hoping someone can give me a clear answer on this. Born and lived in UK until I was 10, moved to Australia and now 25 years later, looking to move back to UK in a few years time. ive written to HMRC about eligibility to pay towards National Insurance while I’m still in Australia so I can try and qualify for as much UK pension as possible as we won’t be entitled to collect Aussie pension in UK. Was told yes i can pay contributions while in Oz and given the band rate and to write to them again to set up payment and fill out a form, which I did, but problem is I don’t have an NI#. Got a letter back saying I can’t contribute without a NI#. I never worked in UK as I was only 10 when I left, so didn’t have a NI# when I left obviously. Seems impossible to get a NI# unless you are living in UK, is that correct? Why didn’t HMRC tell me that in the first letter as I gave them my full history for them to advise? Or am I missing something? They were wrong. You’re not entitled to a NI number and will only be able to get one once you’re here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatDaw Posted October 24, 2021 Author Share Posted October 24, 2021 Thank you guys for confirming this. Guess I’ll just have to wait until we are over there and for go those extra years of contributions I’ll miss out on. Do you think I could make catch up contributions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 Not sure but I doubt it because I think you can only pay for “gaps” in your record 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber Snowball Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 43 minutes ago, Marisawright said: Not sure but I doubt it because I think you can only pay for “gaps” in your record That was my thinking. Your NI record won’t start until you get a number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatDaw Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) Bummer! Oh well thank you for the feedback guys Edited October 25, 2021 by NatDaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber Snowball Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 3 hours ago, NatDaw said: Bummer! Oh well thank you for the feedback guys Do double check with hrmc though! I was just musing out loud I don’t know for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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