Do I need to pay voluntary pension contributions while working overseas?
Pensions
If you work overseas within the EU/EEA and you are contributing to the social security system of an EU/EEA country, these contributions will count towards your qualifying years for a state pension. Therefore, if you decide not to make voluntary contributions in your home country, you will not create gaps in your contributions.
You should be aware, however, that your record of contributions is preserved in each country of work until retirement age. Your state pension will then be paid out in part by your home country and in part by the other countries where you have worked, the proportions dependent upon how many years are spent working in each. In some countries you may be able to transfer your contributions. You will need to check the country of work regulations regarding transfer of contributions.
If you are concerned about splitting your pension between different countries, you may decide to make voluntary contributions in your home country while you are working abroad. If you are working outside the EU/EEA, you should check to see if there are reciprocal arrangements in place between your home country and your country of work. If not, you should continue making contributions to your home country.