Pension service eligibility to pay voluntary class three NIC after retirement, to increase pension. 2 March at 11:44AM in Pensions, annuities & retirement planning 15 replies 551 views

frustrateddotcodotuk

Thanks Xylophone, I found that linked chart very helpful

frustrateddotcodotuk

OldBeanz said:

HMG have also paid back money to those who paid extra for no benefit.
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.

Thanks OldBeanz, after 1.25 hours HMRC tell you to ring back later and cut you off.
We called the pension service some weeks ago and they were quite helpful
A few days ago they, the PS,  became so busy that ,after the menus, they didn't even put you on hold, they said go to the gov.uk  website and search for information.

p00hsticks

OldBeanz said:

HMG have also paid back money to those who paid extra for no benefit.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on that. It may have happened in some cases where people can show they have been wrongly advised by DWP and/or HMRC, but from what I have seen recently HMRC specifically say that they will not make refunds if people have voluntarily made payments without first seeking advice.

pinnks

p00hsticks said:

OldBeanz said:

HMG have also paid back money to those who paid extra for no benefit.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on that. It may have happened in some cases where people can show they have been wrongly advised by DWP and/or HMRC, but from what I have seen recently HMRC specifically say that they will not make refunds if people have voluntarily made payments without first seeking advice.

I would second that.  

frustrateddotcodotuk

I started this post 6 days ago asking for advice regarding paying voluntary class three national insurance contributions. I also described how difficult/ impossible it was to try and phone the Pension Service and HMRC . I also suggested an extension of the deadline from April 5th
I also emailed my MP on 3rd March asking for her input on this and amazingly I had a phone call today  from a very helpful  lady from the pension complaints service , as a result of her intervention. She confirmed the information letter from Pensions had indeed been sent a month ago and was surprised to hear it had not arrived. She said it would be resent and then I could get the reference number to pay HMRC.
Today the deadline was extended to July and the pressure is off.