National Insurance topping up missing years

Meldrewretiree

I am not 100% certain but my belief is that the 18 digits are unique to that transaction so that HMRC can apply it when it reaches their bank account. I think you have to get a new 18 digit code for a new payment.

I tried the various numbers yesterday to pay off one year of missing contributions and keep getting to a point where they say call back after April….. which I expect will cost more then. Totally inefficient!

pinnks

The reference is unique, so best not to try using it again..  If you look at it, it starts with 2 digits (either 11 or 60 I think), then has the amount you are paying, then the numbers from your NI number a bit mixed up and the rest is a "random" number designating I know not what but it changes each time you get a reference. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Meldrewretiree said:

I am not 100% certain but my belief is that the 18 digits are unique to that transaction so that HMRC can apply it when it reaches their bank account. I think you have to get a new 18 digit code for a new payment.

I tried the various numbers yesterday to pay off one year of missing contributions and keep getting to a point where they say call back after April….. which I expect will cost more then. Totally inefficient!

Nothing to do with all the people trying to pay years back to 2006:07 at the last minute then 🤔.

Are they not being in efficient!

Silvertabby

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Meldrewretiree said:

I am not 100% certain but my belief is that the 18 digits are unique to that transaction so that HMRC can apply it when it reaches their bank account. I think you have to get a new 18 digit code for a new payment.

I tried the various numbers yesterday to pay off one year of missing contributions and keep getting to a point where they say call back after April….. which I expect will cost more then. Totally inefficient!

Nothing to do with all the people trying to pay years back to 2006:07 at the last minute then 🤔.

Are they not being in efficient!

Exactly.  They've had the best part of 7 years in which to do this.

Silvertabby

pinnks said:

Not sure why you are calling Future Pensions to top up a year if you know it is beneficial (assuming that is the case by the way you word your question).  You need to call HMRC NIC Team on 0300 200 3500 to arrange actual payment.  They will check that you have spoken with DWP but then give you an 18-digit reference and bank details.

I made my payments last year, when everyone was saying that you HAD to speak to future forecasts first to ensure that the years you wanted to pay would actually add to your pension.

I didn't - but the chap who gave me my 18 digit number was happy to do so when I said I only wanted to pay for post 2016 years.  Mind you, I also said that I was a retired pensions administrator.....

pinnks

Same here.  I did talk with DWP 3 or 4 years ago about the whole concept of paying post 2016 years for my wife and for me, so now just call and have a nice chat with my former colleagues about the whys and wherefores of making voluntary contributions and how I feel sorry for them given the impending deadline...

JohnP20233

I have 6 years missing NI contributions but the DWP a confirmed that only 2 of those years would make any difference to my state pension (which I’m already drawing). I started this process after the Martin Lewis show in October and only got the necessary HMRC code 7 weeks ago. I made the payment but no idea how long it will take for it to be processed and work through to my pension.

molerat

JohnP20233 said:

I have 6 years missing NI contributions but the DWP a confirmed that only 2 of those years would make any difference to my state pension (which I’m already drawing). I started this process after the Martin Lewis show in October and only got the necessary HMRC code 7 weeks ago. I made the payment but no idea how long it will take for it to be processed and work through to my pension.

Have you access to your on line tax account ?  If so you can check if the payment has been credited to your NI record, usually takes 6 weeks or so, but you could give HMRC a call to get them applied if not.  Once the NI record id updated DWP should get on with processing the pension, not sure how long that will take especially in the current situation, but I believe the pension will be backdated to receipt of the payment.

JohnP20233

molerat said:

JohnP20233 said:

I have 6 years missing NI contributions but the DWP a confirmed that only 2 of those years would make any difference to my state pension (which I’m already drawing). I started this process after the Martin Lewis show in October and only got the necessary HMRC code 7 weeks ago. I made the payment but no idea how long it will take for it to be processed and work through to my pension.

Have you access to your on line tax account ?  If so you can check if the payment has been credited to your NI record, usually takes 6 weeks or so, but you could give HMRC a call to get them applied if not.  Once the NI record id updated DWP should get on with processing the pension, not sure how long that will take especially in the current situation, but I believe the pension will be backdated to receipt of the payment.

Yes, I check my NI record daily. I’ll wait another week or so and then phone HMRC. I need to set aside a couple of hours to hold on the phone, it took ages last time.

pinnks

It will take at least 8 weeks under normal circumstances and at the moment HMRC have said it is nearer 20 weeks.  It will get allocated so I would try to help keep the lines less blocked by not calling them until the summer if it still not showing.  These times really are unprecedented and HMRC only has so much resource it can throw at this to serve people who have sat on their hands for 7 years.