Additional contributions...Change of Circumstance

bowlesbargain

I have followed the advice checked my and my wife's years of contribution we both get about £700 per four weeks and have checked and missing about three years for full pension. I managed to get to speak to someone at Pensions and was directed to "change of circumstance" told re re-call which I did and had to wait again only to be told that our details will be submitted and I will receive a letter in 8 weeks to tell me what I can pay to make up for the shortfall. The sooner I make up the years the sooner I will increase my pension has anyone been directed down this path

molerat

Once you have reached SP then the only way you will get the "advice" is in writing.  If you know what you need to do you could always send a cheque in the post.

bowlesbargain

Thank you I was under the impression that they had to advise you first. I know what I need to make up. Do I just get the number from HMRC then send a cheque. I have one year when I only need to pay £25 to make a full year then two full years to complete my full contributions . Do I just work that out and send a cheque for that amount

molerat

bowlesbargain said:

 Do I just work that out and send a cheque for that amount

Yes.  Your NI record shows how much is needed to pay for each year.  As long as you are 100% certain that those years will add to your pension amount, with regard to pre 2016 years not all will, then that is what you can do.  It may take some time for the payment to be credited but the pension should be backdated to the date the payment was received.

Advice is only really necessary to cover them and ensure you only pay what will add to your pension as mistaken payments may not be refunded if not advised first.

bowlesbargain

Thank you for you reply I have worked out that I need to pay two full year plus £25 to make up a third year once I have the reference number from HMRC to pay for those two years plus the £25 how do I know the will make up one year with the 325 then credit me with two full years to make up the three years. 
Sorry if I sound a bit thick but I cannot see how HMRC know which years to fund when I make a cheque or transfer out to them.
Thank you in advance

p00hsticks

bowlesbargain said:

Thank you for you reply I have worked out that I need to pay two full year plus £25 to make up a third year once I have the reference number from HMRC to pay for those two years plus the £25 how do I know the will make up one year with the 325 then credit me with two full years to make up the three years. 
Sorry if I sound a bit thick but I cannot see how HMRC know which years to fund when I make a cheque or transfer out to them.
Thank you in advance

If you are posting a cheque to them then you are told to include a covering letter which includes your NI number and tells them which years you are paying for and how much you  are paying
Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance: By cheque through the post - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

If you wish to pay by bank transfer, then you have to phone up HMRC first. They'll make a note of which years you wish to pay for and give you a reference number which you use when making the payment.  They'll then be able to use the reference to determine who and for what years the payment relates to.

bowlesbargain

Thank you poosticks that is very informative. I was not sure how they knew which years I will take your advice ring get reference number and sort out the years thank you all

bowlesbargain

I paid for four years a week ago using the HMRC link that paid from my bank account direct to HMRC. I have checked my nation Insurance forcast page the extra years I paid are not showing yet as paid in full does anyone know how long it takes for the account to be updated. Is this something I should be concerned about. Thank you

molerat

bowlesbargain said:

I paid for four years a week ago using the HMRC link that paid from my bank account direct to HMRC. I have checked my nation Insurance forcast page the extra years I paid are not showing yet as paid in full does anyone know how long it takes for the account to be updated. Is this something I should be concerned about. Thank you

Usually 6 to 8 weeks.

Marbles55

Does anyone have any insight into how long it is taking DWP to action reviews of state pension payments following payment of VNICS? I paid HMRC over £4k in early March and within days my NI record showed the additional years paid. I did phone DWP over a month ago and was told I am due a review but have yet to receive the uplift in SP or the fair amount of back pay due to me. I am sure they are very busy but I could do with this money! 

molerat

Marbles55 said:

Does anyone have any insight into how long it is taking DWP to action reviews of state pension payments following payment of VNICS? I paid HMRC over £4k in early March and within days my NI record showed the additional years paid. I did phone DWP over a month ago and was told I am due a review but have yet to receive the uplift in SP or the fair amount of back pay due to me. I am sure they are very busy but I could do with this money! 

Unfortunately it is a manual process pretty much involving someone sitting down with a calculator and sheet of paper.  Up to a year seems to be the current timescale.  They will get to you eventually.  You could try involving your MP, that usually gets you put to the top of the list