If you’re a British expat living in Switzerland, there’s a good chance your UK National Insurance record has gaps. Every year you’ve spent working abroad without making voluntary NI contributions is a year that could reduce your State Pension - or, if you have fewer than 10 qualifying years, eliminate it entirely
The rules around voluntary contributions have tightened significantly. Class 2 contributions - the low-cost route at £182 per year - are no longer available for new periods abroad. Class 3, at £923 per year, is now the only option for most expats, and eligibility requires meeting a 10-year qualifying threshold. The longer you wait, the more it costs and the fewer options you have.
The good news for expats in Switzerland: your UK State Pension is not frozen here. Unlike many expat destinations, Switzerland has an agreement that ensures your pension increases annually. That makes every qualifying year on your NI record significantly more valuable over a full retirement. At Skybound Wealth, we help British expats in Switzerland understand their NI position, identify which gaps are worth filling, and take the right action before options narrow further.
Find out where you stand on qualifying years, what your gaps are costing you, and what your options are. No obligation.
We start by examining your National Insurance record together - identifying qualifying years, gaps, and your current State Pension forecast.
We determine which voluntary contribution route applies to your situation, which years are within the payment window, and whether filling them actually increases your pension.
You receive a clear plan showing exactly which years to fill, what it costs, and how much additional State Pension income it generates over your retirement
We guide you through the practical steps -from HMRC payment processes to coordinating NI planning with your broader Swiss and UK financial position.
As rules change and your circumstances evolve, we review your position regularly to ensure your State Pension entitlement stays on track.
Your NI review isn’t a generic pension check - it’s a detailed analysis of your National Insurance record, your State Pension forecast, and the specific actions that will make the biggest financial difference to your retirement income.
At Skybound, your personalised plan gives you:
Whether you’ve been in Switzerland for 2 years or 20, whether you’re planning to stay or considering a move, understanding your NI position now prevents costly surprises later. The full UK State Pension is worth over £400,000 across a typical retirement — too valuable to leave to guesswork.
With decades of experience and globally certified advisers, Skybound Wealth delivers personalised financial planning that’s built around you. We understand both local and international landscapes, helping you navigate life’s opportunities with confidence.
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Whether you're planning for retirement, securing your family’s future, or managing cross-border investments, we offer expert guidance every step of the way.
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We bring international experience, local insight, and a personal approach — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Most British expats assume National Insurance stops mattering once they leave the UK. In reality, your NI record determines whether you receive a UK State Pension at all - and how much. For expats in Switzerland specifically, the stakes are even higher because Switzerland is one of the few countries where your UK State Pension is not frozen.
Your State Pension increases annually in Switzerland - unlike in Australia, Canada, or many Middle Eastern countries where it freezes at the rate you first claim. Over a 20-year retirement, the difference between a frozen and unfrozen pension can be tens of thousands of pounds.
You need at least 10 qualifying years for any UK State Pension at all. Below that threshold, you receive nothing - regardless of how many years you contributed. Many expats who left the UK in their 20s are dangerously close to this cliff edge.
Voluntary contributions are the only way to fill NI gaps from abroad, and they’re getting more expensive. With Class 2 gone, Class 3 at £923 per year is now the standard route - 5x more costly than what was available until recently.
Each qualifying year adds approximately £342 per year to your State Pension. Over a 20-year retirement, that’s roughly £6,840 per year you fill - and because your pension isn’t frozen in Switzerland, annual increases compound that further.
Jaques, a 52-year-old South African entrepreneur, had accumulated substantial wealth over his career but faced the challenge of passing it on to his children, who lived abroad. He was uncertain about how to efficiently transfer his wealth while ensuring his legacy was protected.
Skybound helped Jaques design a comprehensive estate plan that included a legacy trust and an education fund for his children. We structured his assets for seamless cross-border transfer, using tax-efficient wealth management solutions to minimise tax implications. The plan also included investment strategies that provided flexibility, ensuring Jaques' wealth would be preserved and effectively passed to the next generation.
Jaques now has a clear, well-organised strategy for transferring his $4.2M across three continents. His wealth is structured to ensure that his children will benefit from his legacy without the complexities of cross-border legal issues.
“Skybound gave me peace of mind, knowing that my wealth will pass on to my children as I intended, without any complications.”
Pierre, a French expat in the Gulf, received a $150K bonus and was unsure how to allocate the funds to meet his long-term financial goals. With multiple priorities, education, retirement, and aligning his investments with his personal values, he needed guidance.
Skybound helped Pierre invest his lump sum into a diversified investment portfolio and planned for future growth with regular contributions. We allocated part of the funds to an education savings plan, set aside for retirement savings, and invested in ESG funds that aligned with his values. This approach created a well-rounded, tax-efficient portfolio designed for both financial growth and alignment with his principles.
Pierre now has a diversified investment portfolio that balances his financial goals with his values, ensuring long-term growth while staying true to his principles. With ESG investments and a structured savings plan in place, he’s confident that his financial future is secured.
“Skybound helped me make sure my bonus works for me across multiple areas of my life, andI’m proud to invest in line with my values.”
David, a 38-year-old Australian expat in Singapore, had no pension and dreamed of retiring by age 55. Without a clear strategy, he wasn’t sure how to make it happen.
Skybound helped David develop a personalised retirement plan, focusing on creating a passive income stream through global tax-efficient savings solutions and a diverse investment portfolio. We introduced a regular savings plan that allowed him to build long-term wealth, while ensuring inflation was accounted for to keep his future income growing with living costs.
By age 55, David is on track to receive $3,000 per month from his investments, with income growing in line with inflation. His regular savings plan and offshore investment solutions now provide him with the financial security he needs, with ongoing visibility through the Skybound Wealth App.
“I never imagined I’d be on track to retire at 55, but now I’m on track to do just that!”
Mark, a 49-year-old British engineer, was relocating to the UAE and needed help managing his two old UK pensions. He was unsure about how to handle the pensions and whether they would be properly managed after his move.
Skybound facilitated a streamlined SIPP consolidation, transferring his pensions into a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). This consolidation provided greater flexibility and control over his retirement funds, especially when it came to currency management for his new life in the UAE.
The transfer allowed Mark to consolidate his pensions into a tax-efficient, flexible income plan, with no loss of benefits and better control over his investments.
“Skybound made the whole process simple and seamless, giving me the confidence that my pensions are in the right place and will work for me as I move forward.”
Lucy, a British expat in Dubai, was self-employed with irregular income streams. Despite her efforts, she lacked a structured savings plan and often felt overwhelmed by her financial situation.
Skybound worked with Lucy to create a tailored financial plan that stabilised her cash flow and brought consistency to her savings. We introduced automated savings through tax-efficient investment strategies like SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) and offshore investment solutions, ensuring long-term growth even during income dips.
Lucy was also introduced to our Skybound Wealth App, which gave her clear, real-time visibility into her financial progress, helping her always stay on top of her plan.
In six months, Lucy built a rainy-day fund covering four months of expenses and continued contributing to her SIPP, even during income dips. With full control over her savings and investments, she now feels empowered by Skybound’s personalised approach and tech-driven solutions.
“For the first time, I feel confident I can invest monthly, and that my moneyis working for me.”
Richard Kanli
Domenico Gabriele
Holly-Ann Rice
