Act now: UK state pension rules changing for expats

IF you have worked in the UK and are eligible to claim a state pension, now is the time to act.

- DIEKETSENG MALEKE

Big changes are coming.UK expats who once worked in Britain face a closing window of opportunity to secure affordable access to the state pension. The UK government has announced that from April 2026, voluntary National Insurance contributions for those living abroad will rise sharply, and eligibility rules will tighten.

At present, anyone who has lived and worked in the UK for at least three years can voluntarily pay £182 (around R4 000) per year to add extra qualifying years to their pension record.

This has allowed many South Africans who previously worked in Britain to build up enough years to receive a pension when they retire. But from April 2026, the cost will jump to £910 (around R20 000) per year, and only those who have lived and worked in the UK continuously for ten years will qualify.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the announcement in her Budget speech, saying: “And taxpayers’ money should not be spent on pensions for people abroad...who only lived here for a couple of years and may never have paid a penny of tax. The Conservatives let thousands of people living abroad buy their way into the state pension for £3.50 a week...debasing the purpose of our pension system.”