Pension service eligibility to pay voluntary class three NIC after retirement, to increase pension.

9 Posts

I am in receipt of reduced new state pension born in 1955.
Following newspaper articles and MSE advice I started to see about paying voluntary Class three contributions
I have 22 qualifying years on my NI record and it states at least 13 years when I could pay to add years at £824.20 per year which I would like to do.
I contacted the pension service on Jan 19th 2023.
They said they would write to me to tell me if paying voluntary contribution would be beneficial.
I have heard nothing.
I rang the pensions service again on 28th and they said the letter/statement was issued on 6th Feb 2023, and led me to believe it was sent to the HMRC and to ring them on 0300 200 3500
Well .... I have tried at times and just get put on hold for 1.25 hours 'till you are cut off and told to ring back.
I assume there are many people in limbo like myself
Does anyone know who the pensions service write to once they have looked at your case.? Is it the HMRC or to me?
You cannot pay using online banking without a class three insurance reference number via the gov.uk website. You get this from ringing the HMRC but they are currently not answering your call.
I rang the Pensions Service this morning who have changed their options and for paying voluntary contributions refer you to the gov.uk website for help.
There seems no way of emailing them or a chatline/robot call.
I feel some what helpless over this.
My suggestion would be an extension of the April 5th deadline for paying more than six years
Following newspaper articles and MSE advice I started to see about paying voluntary Class three contributions
I have 22 qualifying years on my NI record and it states at least 13 years when I could pay to add years at £824.20 per year which I would like to do.
I contacted the pension service on Jan 19th 2023.
They said they would write to me to tell me if paying voluntary contribution would be beneficial.
I have heard nothing.
I rang the pensions service again on 28th and they said the letter/statement was issued on 6th Feb 2023, and led me to believe it was sent to the HMRC and to ring them on 0300 200 3500
Well .... I have tried at times and just get put on hold for 1.25 hours 'till you are cut off and told to ring back.
I assume there are many people in limbo like myself
Does anyone know who the pensions service write to once they have looked at your case.? Is it the HMRC or to me?
You cannot pay using online banking without a class three insurance reference number via the gov.uk website. You get this from ringing the HMRC but they are currently not answering your call.
I rang the Pensions Service this morning who have changed their options and for paying voluntary contributions refer you to the gov.uk website for help.
There seems no way of emailing them or a chatline/robot call.
I feel some what helpless over this.
My suggestion would be an extension of the April 5th deadline for paying more than six years
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Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance: By cheque through the post - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
I don't believe it's as simple as that, as the extension and deadline was part of the legislation introducing the new State Pension, and so it would require further legislation to extend it. Some on these boards have reported that HMRC have said recently that they will consider late submissions on an individual case by case basis, but I think legally their hands are largely tied as to what they can do,
I am sure you are right about the legality of the deadline and the new state pension introduction
Reasonably confident but not as confident as I would have been if the letter outlining the info had arrived.
When I last spoke to pensions service four days ago they said it had been sent on 6th February.
My NIC record on line states that I could pay the thirteen years in question. I have 22 qualifying years, up to retirement in 2021. Since then I have been receiving a reduced pension.
I know I paid no NIC in the those 13 years as I was either unemployed or working a few hours and so under the contribution threshold.
I know therefore I was not contracted out.
I am ineligible for pension credits.
I understand my income tax situation.
The above is what I am basing my confidence on.
I have read another thread on this forum copied from the HMRC ‘s apologetic thread on their forum..
https://www.dpf.org.uk/explorer/files/TOPPING-UP-YOUR-STATE-PENSION-GUIDE.pdf
Have you never been contracted out?
Your starting amount for NSP (at 6/4/16) was the higher of
Old Rules
22/30 (max) x £119.30 (Full Basic) + (Additional State Pension. - (if applicable) Deduction for Contracting Our)
New Rules
22/35 x £155.65 (Full NSP) - (if applicable ) Contracted Out Pension Equivalent.
Qualifying years from 6/4/16 up to the year before the one in which you reached SPA would have improved your "starting amount".
Number of pre 2016 years full
Number of post 2016 years full
Financial year you reached state retirement
Years which show not full
Either send the cheque or phone HMRC the moment they are open. Go through the menus until on hold then put the hands free speaker on and go about your daily business until they answer.
The details are
£116.39pw
22 full yrs pre 2016
0 full years post 2016
20-21 pension commenced
1999-2019 years not full.
Hope this helps