UK national - late 40s, in J since 22, only paid 4 years into UK NI...

[Beaglehound]

There are various differences in terms of the benefits one is entitled to through paying class 2s and class 3s, but in your situation where accruing (you OK with that word ?) pension entitlement is your only aim (since you don’t live in U.K.), these need not concern you.

The only factor which matters, and why everyone wants to pay them, is that class 2s are significantly cheaper, so tick that box. Whether you are eligible for these depends on your employment status immediately before leaving the UK. If you are not eligible, they will tell you and put you on class 3s.

[adamu]

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... ions/rates

The rates for the 2020 to 2021 tax year are:

£3.05 a week for Class 2
£15.30 a week for Class 3

Class 3 is 5 times more than Class 2.

Ironically, class 2 also includes more coverage than class 3. This is because it's designed to be supplemented by class 4 contributions, but non-residents are not subject to class 4.

[tense-eye-man]

oh wow, that is a LOT cheaper......

haha yes I understand "accrueing" ...first time reading anything technical in English in I-don't-know-how-long, it honestly felt like reading japanese: I understand the words but I'm not really getting a good sense of the meaning......hopefully it'll come back to me (or, hopefully i won't need to read much of this stuff.....)

thanks for the help, much appreciated!!

[tense-eye-man]

sent my form off yesterday, hopefully won't be too much of a headache, thanks for the help will post back with an update of how it goes.....

[KyushuWoozy]

Can anyone briefly explain what is different between Class 3 and Class 2, and also why everyone (on the other threads) is so keen to be Class 2

I did a deep dive into this. Find all the information you need here:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=238#p2711

[adamu]

Can anyone briefly explain what is different between Class 3 and Class 2, and also why everyone (on the other threads) is so keen to be Class 2

I did a deep dive into this. Find all the information you need here:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=238#p2711

Would be perfect for https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/United_Kingd ... te_Pension

[KyushuWoozy]

Would be perfect for https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/United_Kingd ... te_Pension

If Ben doesn't mind feel free to copy and paste at will

[RetireJapan]

If Ben doesn't mind feel free to copy and paste at will

I don't mind

[tense-eye-man]

Hey Kyushuwoozy - thanks for that information and write up,that's very helpful!

[SARS]

Not sure the exact rules, but don't you need some minimum criteria to be eligible for Class 2?

I didn't think it's as simple as being a UK citizen meaning you automatically get to contribute to Class 2...