How long does it take for voluntary NI payments to show on record

GrubbyGirl_2 · 15 February at 9:07AM

I'm just curious as to how long it takes for paid voluntary contributions to show on your NI record and how long after that does your pension forecast get updated? When I paid I asked and she just gave me a vague "few weeks".

oldernonethewiser · 15 February at 9:15AM

I paid contributions on a Friday and checked a week on Monday later and the figures had been updated.

Silvertabby · 15 February at 9:24AM

I made 2 payments, 12 and 6 months before my SPA. I used the on-line payment method, quoting an 18 digit pay reference. They each took about 6 weeks to show on my records.

However, seems things are taking longer now due to the number of people trying to make payments before 5 April, when the door to making good pre 2016/17 gaps closes.

GrubbyGirl_2 · 15 February at 9:36AM

Silvertabby said:

I made 2 payments, 12 and 6 months before my SPA. I used the on-line payment method, quoting an 18 digit pay reference. They each took about 6 weeks to show on my records.

However, seems things are taking longer now due to the number of people trying to make payments before 5 April, when the door to making good pre 2016/17 gaps closes.

Interestingly I didn't know there was an option to pay online I was just given the bank account details to do a bank transfer with the 18 digit number to put in the reference.

Is the NI record and the pension forecast updated at the same time?

Simon11 · 15 February at 9:55AM

They say six weeks, however if you give it a few days once payment has gone through, call up HMRC (ideally 8am mid-week) and ask them to allocate the funds to the year. Then it should be updated very quickly.

Silvertabby · 15 February at 10:03AM

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

Silvertabby said:

I made 2 payments, 12 and 6 months before my SPA. I used the on-line payment method, quoting an 18 digit pay reference. They each took about 6 weeks to show on my records.

However, seems things are taking longer now due to the number of people trying to make payments before 5 April, when the door to making good pre 2016/17 gaps closes.

Interestingly I didn't know there was an option to pay online I was just given the bank account details to do a bank transfer with the 18 digit number to put in the reference.

Is the NI record and the pension forecast updated at the same time?

Sorry - that's what I meant. Online by bank transfer, rather than by cheque and covering letter.

My NI record and pension forecast did seem to be updated at the same time.

GrubbyGirl_2 · 15 February at 2:51PM

Simon11 said:

They say six weeks, however if you give it a few days once payment has gone through, call up HMRC (ideally 8am mid-week) and ask them to allocate the funds to the year. Then it should be updated very quickly.

It's only been 9 days, I'll give it a couple more weeks as they are bound to be busy with the pre 2016 people - then give them a call

scottiescott · 15 February at 9:37PM

Phoned and got 18 digit ref number last week and made online payment. Was told 6 weeks to show on record.

pinnks · 15 February at 9:52PM

HMRC said today that they are currently allocating payments made in September 2022, so don't panic yet.

Audaxer · 16 February at 9:16AM

I was originally told 6 weeks, but when I phoned after 7 weeks I was told it was taking up to 12 weeks. However because I phoned the found the payment and applied it there and then, so best to phone if you have been waiting a long time, and phone at 8am if you don't want to be on hold for ages.