Why Now?
2023/24 is unique as you can claim back up to 17 years historic this year only!
UK State Pensions Abroad is an Official Overseas Agent of His Majesties Revenue and Customs
We provide information and execution not pension advice
Why is it Critical to Apply Immediately?
The rules are changing and from next year you will no longer be able to “reach back” 17 years to improve your UK State Pension entitlements. Processing your claim by HMRC is steady but very slow, and you will need to ensure you have approval in good time.
Will this affect my rights to the Irish Contributory State Pension?
The Department of Social Protection have answered our specific enquiry on this topic “Your UK pension does not impact the personal rate of your Irish State pension”.
When you redeem extra years on your UK State Pension, you are making an AVC (Additional Voluntary Contribution) to your UK State Pension. Effectively, you are accessing (probably) the best value AVCs that exist. If your contributions are assessed as Class 2 by HMRC, the cost of all your contributions are paid back within 6 months on retirements, and you enjoy the benefits for your lifetime. Even if you are assessed as Class 3, the payback is just 2-3 years.
Your UK State Pension can allow you to double the value of your Irish Contributory State Pension!
What is the UK State Pension?
The UK State Pension is a contributory pension which is funded by the UK government and provides a pension amount in 2024 of up to £221.20 per week on reaching pension age. This amount usually rises year on year (+10.1% in 2023), and is subject to a unique Triple Lock, guaranteeing a worthwhile boost annually towards your final amount when retirement beckons.
When will the UK State Pension commence? For people currently above 60 years in 2021, the retirement age is between 66-67 years old. Generally, for those who reach 60 after 2021, the pension payments begin on their 67th birthday. (It should be noted that UK government has a plan to extend the retirement age, but this would be very gradual should it happen).
It is worth noting that the State Pension scheme was revised in 2016 with a new State Pension being introduced. the new State Pension applies to those claiming benefits in the years before then.