Confused on how to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

polkasquares

I have a few gaps on my National Insurance Contributions record which I would like to close the gap through paying Voluntary Class 3 National Insurance but the process doesn't seem straightforward. I intially thought that I could easily make a payment by logging onto my Gateway account where I would then click onto the 'view my National Insurance contribution record' and then I select the year and then there would be a button next to it that I click onto where it would take me to the payments page to make a payment. Not the case at all. Instead, I ended up typing how to pay Voluntary Class 3 National Insurance where I found this page https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance/bank-details that explains a bit more in detail how to make your payment but I am none the wiser about the process of it. I am looking to make a one-off payment, but there doesn't seem to be enough information on how I do this. The page talks about an 18 character reference number that can be found on a bill - what bill? What are they talking about? How do I go about getting this??? Confused and hope someone here can enlighten me. TIA.

JGB1955

You need to speak (yes... phone) the Future Pensions people who will talk you through it. Contact the Future Pension Centre - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

eskbanker

Yes, https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions explains the need to include that step, rather than wasting money for no benefit:

Voluntary contributions do not always increase your State Pension. Contact the Future Pension Centre to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions.

Marcon

Have you actually applied to pay them: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/743370/CA5603.pdf

tacpot12

Once the Future Pensions Centre have confirmed that you can increase your State Pension Entitlement, you will need to call HMRC's National Insurance Office on 0300 200 3500.

When you call them, tell the Voice Recognition software you "want to pay voluntary national insurance contributions". It will then ask you something like "Did you say you want to change your address?" Tell it again what you want to do and persevere with it; after about three attempts it will put you through to the correct department where (in my experience) some very knowledable, experienced and helpful people will work out what you need to pay, and take a payment off you if you want to pay over the phone. I've made payment on my own behalf, and also helped my partner do the same. 

zagfles

Marcon said:

Have you actually applied to pay them: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/743370/CA5603.pdf

That looks to be for regular payments, only options are quartery or DD. No option for a one off payment.

zagfles

tacpot12 said:

Once the Future Pensions Centre have confirmed that you can increase your State Pension Entitlement, you will need to call HMRC's National Insurance Office on 0300 200 3500.

When you call them, tell the Voice Recognition software you "want to pay voluntary national insurance contributions". It will then ask you something like "Did you say you want to change your address?" Tell it again what you want to do and persevere with it; after about three attempts it will put you through to the correct department where (in my experience) some very knowledable, experienced and helpful people will work out what you need to pay, and take a payment off you if you want to pay over the phone. I've made payment on my own behalf, and also helped my partner do the same. 

Thanks that's useful, do you have to call the Future Pension Centre first?

My wife will probably have to pay a small amount to make up her last qualifying year so I've been looking at the process and was as confused as the OP, the only options seemed to be for regular ongoing payments.

tacpot12

You should only need to call the Future Pensions Centre if you aren't certain that making voluntary contributions will increase your pension, but I think the NI Office checked that I had done this and that I had been told that the contributions would make a difference. I can't remember if they said they wouldn't take a payment if I hadn't spoke to Futher Pensions first.  

Marcon

zagfles said:

Marcon said:

Have you actually applied to pay them: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/743370/CA5603.pdf

That looks to be for regular payments, only options are quartery or DD. No option for a one off payment.

Set up a direct debit then cancel after the first payment - could be a lot less frustrating than the alternative!

zagfles

Marcon said:

zagfles said:

Marcon said:

Have you actually applied to pay them: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/743370/CA5603.pdf

That looks to be for regular payments, only options are quartery or DD. No option for a one off payment.

Set up a direct debit then cancel after the first payment - could be a lot less frustrating than the alternative!

It looks to be ongoing current year payments, not one off for past years.

zagfles

tacpot12 said:

You should only need to call the Future Pensions Centre if you aren't certain that making voluntary contributions will increase your pension, but I think the NI Office checked that I had done this and that I had been told that the contributions would make a difference. I can't remember if they said they wouldn't take a payment if I hadn't spoke to Futher Pensions first.  

Thanks - I understand the rules so will try the NI office direct when the time comes...