18 digit National Insurance Reference Number

Sam_Night

I have checked by NI contributions on line and want to pay for a year I missed in 2015-2016. It will allow me to stop work and year earlier and know my contributions are up to date. However when I try to pay I keep getting asked for my 18 digit National Insurance Reference Number which starts 60. I have checked all my payslips and other official documents and whilst I obviously know my NI number I can't find one of these. I don't have a bill for the 2015-16 year that I can find and so I can't check this. I have tried getting hold of someone by phone but after 1.5 hours gave up being on hold. Anyone know any way I can get this 18 digit number?

es5595

I did this last week, the only way to get it is to call 0300 200 3500 and they generate an 18 digit number for you to use. 

The call took 1 hour and 29 minutes. The vast majority of it on hold. 

oldernonethewiser

You can ring 0300 200 3500 (HMRC) tell them that you want to pay and they will give you the 18 digit reference. It doesn't exist on any paperwork you already have.

Put the phone on speaker and make a cup of tea and wait.

Sam_Night

OK I think I will just have to take a deep breath and be patient. I was hoping there was another option! Thanks both for coming back to me.

xylophone

You have checked your state pension forecast?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

What exactly does it say regarding following?

Current £.pp amount accrued up to April 2022
Number of pre 2016 years full
Number of post 2016 years full
Financial year you reach state retirement
Any COPE amount shown
Years which show not full and prices

squirrelpie

If you can't get through on the phone then you can pay by post without the number, as long as you know exactly which year you want to buy. Just post a cheque for the amount enclosing a letter with your name etc and NI number and stating what the payment is for. Send it recorded delivery.

molerat

squirrelpie said:

If you can't get through on the phone then you can pay by post without the number, as long as you know exactly which year you want to buy. Just post a cheque for the amount enclosing a letter with your name etc and NI number and stating what the payment is for. Send it recorded delivery.

Waste of time and money, they rarely get signed for / delivery confirmed so in fact it will likely prove the opposite, it was not delivered.  Just get proof of postage then in law it was delivered.

Spivved1987

molerat said:

squirrelpie said:

If you can't get through on the phone then you can pay by post without the number, as long as you know exactly which year you want to buy. Just post a cheque for the amount enclosing a letter with your name etc and NI number and stating what the payment is for. Send it recorded delivery.

Waste of time and money, they rarely get signed for / delivery confirmed so in fact it will likely prove the opposite, it was not delivered.  Just get proof of postage then in law it was delivered.

I am going to give the postage method a try, since I can't get through in any sort of reasonable timeframe. I can't see why it is not possible to get this number via the Personal Tax account I have with HMRC, through which I viewed my NI history and SP projection. This account already contains a lot of confidential financial info, so one assumes it's secure. But hey ho, that would be too easy.

Are you sure about this bit:

Just get proof of postage then in law it was delivered.

Sounds too good to be true!

eskbanker

Spivved1987 said:

Are you sure about this bit:

Just get proof of postage then in law it was delivered.

Sounds too good to be true!

Interpretation Act 1978, section 7 confirms that delivery is assumed once posted:

Where an Act authorises or requires any document to be served by post (whether the expression “serve” or the expression “give” or “send” or any other expression is used) then, unless the contrary intention appears, the service is deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting a letter containing the document and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

Spivved1987

eskbanker said:

Interpretation Act 1978, section 7 confirms that delivery is assumed once posted:

Where an Act authorises or requires any document to be served by post (whether the expression “serve” or the expression “give” or “send” or any other expression is used) then, unless the contrary intention appears, the service is deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting a letter containing the document and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

That's brilliant!

nickwjona

What is the address I need to send the cheque to?