PRESS RELEASE: CHANGES TO BRITISH NATIONAL INSURANCE WILL AFFECT THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS

Australians who have worked in the UK could be affected by changes to the British National Insurance Scheme on 5th April 2025.
Contributions to the British National Insurance Scheme are compulsory for all workers in the UK and provide a life-time pension to anyone who has paid the required number of contributions.
People living in Australia may make voluntary contributions to the scheme if they have paid a minimum of three years contributions while working in the UK.
Currently, contributions to the scheme for past years can be made for the past sixteen years but from 5th April 2025, contributions for past years will be limited to the past six years.
The Department for Work & Pensions, which administers the scheme have said that applications to pay voluntary contributions for more than the past six years will be honoured if the application is made by 5th April 2025, even if the payment is not made until later.
Patrick Edwards, President of British Pensions in Australia, a charity that helps British pensioners says “I urge anyone who has worked in the UK to investigate if they have an entitlement to British state pension without delay. They may be able to pay voluntary contributions to lock in that entitlement or to increase the rate of pension they will receive”.
The state pension is paid worldwide regardless of the nationality of the recipient. It is not means-tested.