Am I misunderstanding, or did you mean “a small opportunity to apply for a UK S1”?
I guess first you apply for an S1 and see what happens.
I think it was an error. S1 never came up in my case being employed here after leaving UK.
If it goes against me it’ll be too late to take action!
No. Rumour has it that once the French pension service send the notice of your pension entitlement you can renounce it by return. Edit…here us a link about renouncing a French pension
Puis-je annuler ma demande de retraite?.
However two red flags about doing this. A State (ie UK) can decide that you have disadvantaged them by refusing the French pension and wanting the UK to remain your competent state and so rescind your S1.
Also if one applies for an S1 the DWP (or equivalent) may issue one if you are entitled and they haven’t done full checks. But it’s then when you present it here that it will most likely be rejected if there is a french pension on the books as there is co-operation between social security bodies despite Brexit.
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What action? I’d say you need to go and work in the UK for a few months.
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You are probably right but maybe a NI top up might work.
Who dares wins, or maybe not 
An S1’s a big prize to gamble 
All I’ve ever seen is the last country you worked in, not the last country you made contributions in. I was considering topping up my UK contributions a few years ago when the time limit was extended but had I done so I wouldn’t have thought my competent country would have changed. That could have been a problematic unintended consequence.
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I wouldn’t gamble on it. You can only top up the past, not the current year or the future.
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Oh well does anyone have a job for me!
though if working then one could at least make voluntary NI contributions for the current year so…
As John Scully mentioned perhaps you could try [self] employment in the UK?
If working in the UK. Not if working in France I believe as you would be paying into French system.
Did you mean to say “if not working then one could at least make voluntary NI contributions for the current year”?
Yes, of course - that’s why I said NI.
No, for class 2 contributions you have to be self employed - except if you are working abroad in which case you can pay them by registering as self employed (I think). I’m suggesting voluntary in case one did not earn enough in the UK to actually qualify for an NI credit - which is around approx 5.5K. If earning above that (the Lower Earnings Limit - LEL) one gets the credit anyway, whether self employed or employed.
A bit of a update guys, I had a meeting with my boss this week, it appears HR have been doing their due diligence. My boss said it’s all looking very positive at the moment, greater than 50% possibility of this becoming reality now. It has to be said first and foremost he has my interests at heart , therefore if for example my UK employers pension is going to suffer as a result of this move, he will not allow the move to happen, same if my French remuneration is not comparable and he feels I’m financially better off in UK. I have to say I’m less concerned about such financial aspects and more keen to secure French residency.
So the due diligence continues, with a view to me moving in January 2025, which I thought was a bit soon, but never the less I’m sure I could push back a little on this date if needed, my wife would remain in UK until such time things have stabilized etc.
The due diligence has flagged up that apparently I can be a French tax payer whilst my employer can still continue to make contributions to my existing UK company pension scheme. I would be happy enough to freeze this and start again with my employers French equivalent scheme. Anyway I don’t know any more precise detail on this at this time.
Am I correct in saying that if I become a French bonafide tax payer I will get residence permit, carte vitale etc, how long would I have to be a French tax payer for?
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I don’t think there is an equivalence. The French system is a State system, and it seems a generous one. I’m not sure there is the equivalent of defined benefit or defined contribution schemes in France. If you are paying French social charges then you’d be in the French State system, if you could keep up your company scheme as well it (though you wouldn’t get tax relief in France on your contributions) could make for a very comfortable pension in due course (with of course a UK state pension as well)
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Remarkably, subject to some very reasonable conditions, you can
A) not only remain in your UK employers pension scheme, but
B) you should be able to deduct your pension contributions from your French taxable income, and C) your employers contributions shouldn’t be taxable on you as income…
This helpful outcome is specifically set out in the UK/France tax treaty (article 25(8))…I benefited from this personally when shipped out to France by my UK employer.
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Congratulations - so far ! 
I recall you were worried about whether contributing to a France pension would invalidate you for a S1 - you are close to retirement and were worried you might be worse off having to pay France social taxes on your pension income for the rest of your life.
I suggested you might benefit from being seconded by your company - then you would use an A1 in the meantime and remain eligible for an S1 inn the future - and don;t worry - you would still be “French bonafide tax payer [and] get residence permit, carte vitale” etc.
All the best! Do keep us updated with whatever you choose, thanks.
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thanks for the pension advise, it’s a little bit above my pay grade to understand BUT post Brexit, this is more important to me :- Am I correct in saying that if I become a French bonafide tax payer I will get residence permit, carte vitale etc, how long would I have to be a French tax payer for?
It is more a case of, you have to obtain the residence permit first, which gives you the right to move to France and work, and once you have moved to France you become a French taxpayer.
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