Guide discussion: Voluntary national insurance contributions

lon_don

molerat said:

She needs to phone HMRC for the reference number or could write a letter enclosing a cheque. https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance

Thank Molerat. Sorry for being a bit paranoid, but are you positive that sending a cheque with a cover letter to HMRC, as per your link,

ie
Include a note with:

• your name, address and phone number
• your Class 3 National Insurance contributions reference number (or National Insurance number)
• how much you’re paying
• the period you’re paying for

so with just the National Insurance number number (XX nnnnnn X), and without the 18 digit Class 3 NI contributions ref number,   

is sufficient ?

Because the HMRC forum board https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/pt/14807abe-9d02-ec11-b76a-00155d9c67a7 shows many frustrated users trying to get their 18 digit Class 3 NI ref number in vain, while none of the HMRC Admin there seems to advise the cheque by post alternative.. I don't want to sit in the waiting queue for hours to be cut off, if sending a cheque+cover letter including NI number   is ok. However I don't want to miss the 5/4/2023 deadline (as there is a post around mid January 2023 saying HMRC was still working "on post received on 12 September 2022" implying they have a 4 month backlog for postal mail..)

molerat

Getting a reference is the relatively modern way of doing it, cheque and letter is the old fashioned way and both are valid methods.  The problem of course is getting hold of HMRC to get the former and the delay in sorting postal communication for the latter.

The likely best start is to phone HMRC at just before 0800.

donglefan

when i spoke to the revenue this week, i was advised i needed to have the backdated payment logged on their system by the end of this tax year.   i asked when i needed to make the bank transfer to ensure this would be done in time and the suggestion was two weeks prior to the end of the tax year.   i didn't even ask about the cheque system as i didn't know that was an option at the time.

juliemgy

I just paid up missing contributions to 2017. There are more recent ones to pay but I was going to wait until the 'due' date. I did see a comment saying these could go up? Is it better to pay the remaining ones now? Do they go up?

molerat

juliemgy said:

I just paid up missing contributions to 2017. There are more recent ones to pay but I was going to wait until the 'due' date. I did see a comment saying these could go up? Is it better to pay the remaining ones now? Do they go up?

Years stay at the in year price up until the end of 2 years after the end of the year so 20-21 is the same price it was at the time, £795.60, until 5 April this year when it will go up to £907.40, the 23-24 year price, and will increase every year to the new year price until the end of 6 years, 5 April 2027, when it is no longer available .

chels

I'm looking to fill gaps in my NI contributions prior to 5 April 2023 to increase my pension close to maximum and hoping someone will be able to take a look at my records to check my understanding of what I need to do to achieve this or put me straight.  My plan is to pay contributions to fill gaps for years:  2021/22, 2020/21, 2006/07 plus 7 of the other years (I assume it doesn't matter which) to increase the pension amount to £181.71.

My records show:

You can get your State Pension on 15 March 2033
Your forecast is £181.71 a week, £790.11 a month, £9,481.37 a year
Estimate based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2022: £128.81 a week
Forecast if you contribute until 5 April 2032: £181.71 a week

You can improve your forecast You have shortfalls in your National Insurance record that you can fill and make count towards your State Pension.  The most you can increase your forecast to is: £185.15 a week.

You have 26 years of full contributions
10 years to contribute before 5 April 2032
15 years when you did not contribute enough

In the past you’ve been ‘contracted out’ of the additional State Pension
Your COPE estimate is £36.91 a week

2021 to 2022
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £800.80 by 5 April 2028

2020 to 2021
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £795.60 by 5 April 2027

2019 to 2020
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2026

2018 to 2019
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2025

2017 to 2018
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2024

2016 to 2017
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2015 to 2016
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2014 to 2015
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2013 to 2014
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2012 to 2013
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2011 to 2012
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2010 to 2011
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2009 to 2010
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2008 to 2009
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2006 to 2007
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £729.10 by 5 April 2023


Many thanks if you can help.

humanpastryshape

Hi all. Please help a confused guy out!

I'm 37, I can get my State Pension 2053

My forecast is £185.15 a week if I contribute another 22 years before 5 April 2053 (in 31 years)

I have 13 years full contributions but 8 years I didn't contribute enough (university/living abroad)

I know I have a while to make up the gaps but I'm always paranoid about illness/unemployment/might be abroad again/might self-employed and not earning enough. Would it be worth me paying some of the years off? there are 3 years between 2013 and 2008 that would cost around £600 in total. The other years would be £800 each?

Thanks for any help!

molerat

humanpastryshape said:

Hi all. Please help a confused guy out!

I'm 37, I can get my State Pension 2053

My forecast is £185.15 a week if I contribute another 22 years before 5 April 2053 (in 31 years)

I have 13 years full contributions but 8 years I didn't contribute enough (university/living abroad)

I know I have a while to make up the gaps but I'm always paranoid about illness/unemployment/might be abroad again/might self-employed and not earning enough. Would it be worth me paying some of the years off? there are 3 years between 2013 and 2008 that would cost around £600 in total. The other years would be £800 each?

Thanks for any help!

As you say you have plenty of time to get there but the 3 years for £600 may be worth it and get you paid up by the time you reach minimum pension access age.  Only you can decide that though.

molerat

chels said:

I'm looking to fill gaps in my NI contributions prior to 5 April 2023 to increase my pension close to maximum and hoping someone will be able to take a look at my records to check my understanding of what I need to do to achieve this or put me straight.  My plan is to pay contributions to fill gaps for years:  2021/22, 2020/21, 2006/07 plus 7 of the other years (I assume it doesn't matter which) to increase the pension amount to £181.71.

My records show:

You can get your State Pension on 15 March 2033
Your forecast is £181.71 a week, £790.11 a month, £9,481.37 a year
Estimate based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2022: £128.81 a week
Forecast if you contribute until 5 April 2032: £181.71 a week

You can improve your forecast You have shortfalls in your National Insurance record that you can fill and make count towards your State Pension.  The most you can increase your forecast to is: £185.15 a week.

You have 26 years of full contributions
10 years to contribute before 5 April 2032
15 years when you did not contribute enough

In the past you’ve been ‘contracted out’ of the additional State Pension
Your COPE estimate is £36.91 a week

2021 to 2022
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £800.80 by 5 April 2028

2020 to 2021
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £795.60 by 5 April 2027

2019 to 2020
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2026

2018 to 2019
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2025

2017 to 2018
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2024

2016 to 2017
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2015 to 2016
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2014 to 2015
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2013 to 2014
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2012 to 2013
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2011 to 2012
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2010 to 2011
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2009 to 2010
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2008 to 2009
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2006 to 2007
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £729.10 by 5 April 2023


Many thanks if you can help.

You need 11 years to get to the full £185.15, the 11th year giving you £3.44 so still worth it.  The option is yours as you only need 1 back year and none are particularly cheap, 2006-07 being the best option, but you don't have to buy any back years until before April 2028 when you would need to buy 21-22.  The only downside is the 10.1% increase in cost coming in April. 

chels

molerat said:

chels said:

I'm looking to fill gaps in my NI contributions prior to 5 April 2023 to increase my pension close to maximum and hoping someone will be able to take a look at my records to check my understanding of what I need to do to achieve this or put me straight.  My plan is to pay contributions to fill gaps for years:  2021/22, 2020/21, 2006/07 plus 7 of the other years (I assume it doesn't matter which) to increase the pension amount to £181.71.

My records show:

You can get your State Pension on 15 March 2033
Your forecast is £181.71 a week, £790.11 a month, £9,481.37 a year
Estimate based on your National Insurance record up to 5 April 2022: £128.81 a week
Forecast if you contribute until 5 April 2032: £181.71 a week

You can improve your forecast You have shortfalls in your National Insurance record that you can fill and make count towards your State Pension.  The most you can increase your forecast to is: £185.15 a week.

You have 26 years of full contributions
10 years to contribute before 5 April 2032
15 years when you did not contribute enough

In the past you’ve been ‘contracted out’ of the additional State Pension
Your COPE estimate is £36.91 a week

2021 to 2022
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £800.80 by 5 April 2028

2020 to 2021
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £795.60 by 5 April 2027

2019 to 2020
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2026

2018 to 2019
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2025

2017 to 2018
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2024

2016 to 2017
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2015 to 2016
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2014 to 2015
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2013 to 2014
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2012 to 2013
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2011 to 2012
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2010 to 2011
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2009 to 2010
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2008 to 2009
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £824.20 by 5 April 2023

2006 to 2007
Year is not full
You did not make any contributions this year
Pay a voluntary contribution of £729.10 by 5 April 2023


Many thanks if you can help.

You need 11 years to get to the full £185.15, the 11th year giving you £3.44 so still worth it.  The option is yours as you only need 1 back year and none are particularly cheap, 2006-07 being the best option, but you don't have to buy any back years until before April 2028 when you would need to buy 21-22.  The only downside is the 10.1% increase in cost coming in April. 

Thanks for your response.

I understand I could make the figure up to £185.15 but I don't think I'll bother, I'm happy with £181.71.  I just wanted to check my understanding of what I need to do to achieve this is correct.  I want to do this in one hit, a 'once and done' approach then forget about it until pension becomes payable.  So what I'm planning to pay is correct to achieve my aim?