UK voluntary contributions in Turkey

If you are abroad and do not have to pay UK Class 1 or Class 2 contributions, you may wish to think about paying UK voluntary contributions. The leaflet, Social security abroad (NI38), tells you about this. You must decide for yourself whether to pay UK voluntary contributions whilst living in Turkey. The following are examples of circumstances in which it might be worthwhile your doing so:

• if you wish to qualify for a separate UK basic State Pension instead of relying on pro rata pensions (see State Pension). Two pro rata pensions will not necessarily be equivalent in value to a full-rate basic pension solely under the scheme of either country, and the actual rates payable cannot be determined until pension age is reached. Because of this, some people prefer to pay UK voluntary contributions to maintain entitlement to a UK basic pension, instead of relying on the pro rata pension arrangements in the agreement;
• if you wish to remain qualified for UK basic State Pension and basic widows' or bereavement benefits, which are all payable anywhere in the world. The HMRC Residency in Newcastle will tell you what these arrangements mean for your own social security position.