top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Topping up UK pension from France

Is it still possible to top up a UK state pension while living in France? I have heard it has changed and will Brexit affect this?  P.W.

Yes, it is still possible to make payments to “top up” missing UK pension years while you are living abroad and this is not expected to change after Brexit as the ability to do this is not limited to EU residents.

The point of doing so is to increase the amount of your UK state pension if you have not yet paid in the 35 years for a full pension, or to give a right to some pension if you have paid in fewer than the minimum 10 years (EU pension aggregation rules can help if you have also worked in France, but the benefit of this may be at risk in a no-deal Brexit scenario).

The UK had planned to abolish Class 2 NICs (National Insurance Contributions), which UK state pensioners living abroad can pay to top up pensions if they are working and were paying National Insurance in the UK before moving.

They would have had to move to Class 3 NICs  which are paid by non-working people abroad and which cost five times as much.

However, the change would have had an impact on very low-earning self-employed people in the UK, so it was dropped.

You should contact the Future Pension Centre to find out if it is likely to benefit you. See gov.uk/future-pension-centre.

You can check your current state pension entitlement at gov.uk/check-state-pension. You need to set up an account first, which takes around 10 minutes and you need your passport details to hand.

To check your national insurance record, see gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record.

For eligibility and how to pay see: tinyurl.com/ptbzeg8.

Methods include one-off payments by cheque and setting up a direct debit.

 

Reader's query answered by Hugh MacDonald

The Connexion welcomes queries and regularly publishes a selection with answers. However, please note that we cannot enter into individual correspondence on money topics. Queries may be edited for length and style. Due to the sensitive nature of topics we do not publish full names or addresses on these pages. Send your financial query to news@connexionfrance.com

The information here is of a general nature. You should not act or refrain from acting on it without taking professional advice on the specific facts of your case. No liability is accepted in respect of these articles. These articles are intended only as a general guide. Nothing herein constitutes actual financial advice

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France