Voluntary NI Contributions - 18 digit reference

Dazed_and_C0nfused

RG2015 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

hbgb64 said:

Been trying all week to get through for my 18 digit NI reference number to top up my contributions. On hold over an hour or call cancelled or told to call back. There must be an easier way to get this number? Apparently NI number not enough. Any advice please??

NI number is enough per gov.uk.

https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance/by-post

This is very good to know but they only mention payment by cheque. Would it also be enough when making an online payment?

I don't think so no. Although I haven't tried it but I suspect even if you could physically do it online you would be in a world of pain getting the money to the right place at HMRC's end.

p00hsticks

RG2015 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

hbgb64 said:

Been trying all week to get through for my 18 digit NI reference number to top up my contributions. On hold over an hour or call cancelled or told to call back. There must be an easier way to get this number? Apparently NI number not enough. Any advice please??

NI number is enough per gov.uk.

https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance/by-post

This is very good to know but they only mention payment by cheque. Would it also be enough when making an online payment?

No it wouldn't because online they won't know what years you are paying without that reference.
If you pay by cheque, then they ask you to enclose a letter giving all the information you'd tell them over the phone for them to generate the reference.

Can_2

I just spoke with someone, and was told that I can still use my 18 digit number from 2019, or they could generate a new one.  I can see from earlier comments that the number is supposed to include the amount of payment. My 2019 didn't appear to have the amount I was paying included in the digits.

pinnks

The number is different every time, not just because of the amount.

RG2015

Can_2 said:

I just spoke with someone, and was told that I can still use my 18 digit number from 2019, or they could generate a new one.  I can see from earlier comments that the number is supposed to include the amount of payment. My 2019 didn't appear to have the amount I was paying included in the digits.

I once used the same reference as the previous year and paid a different amount so it appears not to be essential.

Digits 3 to 7 are the amount.

The full breakdown is as follows for the 18 digit number I have shown.

60 82420 561234 0126 ?

Digits 1 and 2 are the period covered, with 60 being a payment for a year
Digits 3 -7 are the amount, so 82057 is £824.20
Digits 8 - 13 are your NI number mixed up, so if your NI number is AZ123456 it will be 561234
Digit 14 to 17 are the letters from your NI number from 01 to 26, so AZ will be 0126
Digit 18 is believed to be a check digit and appears to be randomly generated by HMRC.

More information can be seen on the thread on the link below on the 11th post (by Sledgehead)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5663729/voluntary-class-3-ni-contributions-how-to-pay/p1

pinnks

For anyone trying to pay their voluntary NIC, HMRC today posted this on their customer forum.  Might help some people...

"Please accept our apologies for the problems you have been experiencing trying to get through to an advisor at HMRC to obtain your 18 digit reference number.

Our lines are extremely busy and the only way to obtain this reference number is by contacting us on 0300 200 3500.

Alternatively, you can pay by cheque. Cheques should be made payable to ‘HM Revenue and customs only’ and sent to us at the following address – 

HM Revenue and Customs
National Insurance Contributions and Employer Office
BX9 1AN

Allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC.
Include a note with your cheque with the following information:
•    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

Please also put your name and National Insurance number on the back of the cheque.

Further information on how to pay is shown on the GOV.UK website - Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance 

IMPORTANT
Please note before making any payments to HMRC, you will need to contact DWP.  

The reason we require you to contact DWP is because they will be able to advise you what years it is best for you to pay, and if you will benefit from paying them.  

Although these contributions are voluntary, they cannot be refunded if paid incorrectly, therefore you should ensure that you will benefit from making the payment. 

If you are below pension age you should contact future pension centre on 0800 731 0175

If you are over pension age you should contact the pension service on 0800 731 7898

DWP phone lines are open between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday."

radaegnever

I sent a cheque with details as above a week ago. No confirmation text/email from HMRC - unfortunately no confirmation from Royal Mail tracking that 1st class signed for letter & cheque were delivered. Tried calling HMRC several times for reference number - spent more than £10 on calls already - HMRC hung up on my last call....

Really angry - why can't I make online payment using my National Insurance number - why do I need a further reference number only obtainable by calling?

Angry that following long term illness, my HMRC pension statement previously stated I had enough contributions. Following Martin Lewis programme, checked and found I need at least 4 more years to make the cut..... Why no letter/ bill notification from HMRC?

molerat

radaegnever said:

I sent a cheque with details as above a week ago. No confirmation text/email from HMRC - unfortunately no confirmation from Royal Mail tracking that 1st class signed for letter & cheque were delivered. Tried calling HMRC several times for reference number - spent more than £10 on calls already - HMRC hung up on my last call....

Really angry - why can't I make online payment using my National Insurance number - why do I need a further reference number only obtainable by calling?

Angry that following long term illness, my HMRC pension statement previously stated I had enough contributions. Following Martin Lewis programme, checked and found I need at least 4 more years to make the cut..... Why no letter/ bill notification from HMRC?

Postal applications will unlikely be opened for several months, last month they were apparently dealing with September post.  Sending signed for was a waste of money as that sort of mail rarely does get signed for and if it never does you have no proof they received it.  Sending with a simple proof of postage legally means it is delivered and they would have to prove they did not receive it which they could not do.  No good calling them for a good few months yet.  As long as it is dated before April then there should be no problems.

Your "enough years" was likely under the old pre 2016 system, maybe under the pre 2010 system.  Many letters were sent out but they were very general and did not specify what you needed individually, more what you needed to check. There would be no "bill" because it is nothing you must pay, just can if you wish.  If long term ill are you not receiving any benefits that provide NI credits ?

radaegnever

Thanks for your reponse. I'm not entitled to credits. I planned split the total contributions between several cheques posted, in the hope that at least some won't get lost (?) Won't bother with 'signed' now.

Isn't it ridiculous in 21st Century? More specifically, I had to make tax  payment for my mother & did that by logging on & online. Payment taken immediately.  I'm aware many others are struggling to get through b4 April. Maybe it's a ploy by HMRC to reduce the amount of pension payments to be made in the future?? :-(

Dazed_and_C0nfused

radaegnever said:

Thanks for your reponse. I'm not entitled to credits. I planned split the total contributions between several cheques posted, in the hope that at least some won't get lost (?) Won't bother with 'signed' now.

Isn't it ridiculous in 21st Century? More specifically, I had to make tax  payment for my mother & did that by logging on & online. Payment taken immediately.  I'm aware many others are struggling to get through b4 April. Maybe it's a ploy by HMRC to reduce the amount of pension payments to be made in the future?? :-(

I think you're correct there.  Not.

There was a concession announced nearly 10 years ago.  How long do people need 🤔

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/national-insurance-manual/nim72270