Paying voluntary NI contributions

VXman

For a year or more I have been trying to see if I can pay Class 2 contributions from 2017 - 2020 when I was working abroad.

I finally got a letter the other day (9 months after I sent the forms off) confirming that I can and the amounts for those years.

However, no info on how to pay. Online it says you have to have a 18 digit reference number but it appears this is if you have been sent a payment slip with a reference on.

Today I rang and they said you do a bank transfer. They gave me an account name, number and sort code and told me a reference to put in which is NI number IC surname and addition letters from you name to make it to 18!!!!!

Very random and is very concerning as to whether it will arrive or get lost somewhere. I asked about confirmation and she 'oh, I can ask for that if you want'. Also, I am only going to pay for 2 years out of a possible 5 years I need to catch up on. How do they know what I am paying for?

I have rang twice now to 2 different people and they both told me the same method so it is clearly the method they want. 

Sounds like a recipe for disaster!  HMRC systems are ridiculous.

glennevis

As a customer I think that HMRC's online systems are well designed and have shown significant improvements in usability especially in recent years. I've never tried phoning them, I prefer an automated system to eliminate human error (then I've only myself to blame).

Nothing random about the reference which is in fact a well crafted unique identifier.

squirrelpie

You can send a cheque along with a letter containing the information about which payments you are making.

VXman

squirrelpie said:

You can send a cheque along with a letter containing the information about which payments you are making.

Hmm...cheques. Not seen one of those for many years and certainly do not have any myself. Given the state of the post office and HMRC office staff I am not sure that is any more secure than a transfer.

VXman

glennevis said:

As a customer I think that HMRC's online systems are well designed and have shown significant improvements in usability especially in recent years. I've never tried phoning them, I prefer an automated system to eliminate human error (then I've only myself to blame).

Nothing random about the reference which is in fact a well crafted unique identifier.

I too prefer an automated system and given HMRC's clear understaffing and also lack of expertise when you do get through to these staff (who are probably working at home in their kitchens) this would be the best route. In fact on the phone you spend the first minute listening to automated messages telling you to go online.

However, in practice there are many things you cannot do online. I have a Government gateway account and do what I can online.

Applying to pay these additional contributions can only be done by downloading and filling out a form manually and posting it in. That took 9 months to be dealt with. Very last century. Why can that not be done online?

You have to speak to future pensions to get a quote to assure you that paying these additional contributions will benefit you. A legality. You can see this online but still they require you to phone in.

You cannot pay these contributions online via your account which would feel far more secure and could issue a receipt. Instead you have to ring up to be told some numbers over the phone and then create your own transfer with your bank. One digit wrong and this could get lost. No proof that you have sent it or that they have recieved it. No way to explain what it is for.

No email contacts or secure messaging via HMRC and Government gateway. Would be a far better way of communication.

There are lots of tasks that cannot be done online and require lengthy phone calls. I guess until you need to do one of these you do not realise the limitations of the service.

Confusedlad

Hi

I faced similar recently. Here is my story....

I obtained the 18 digit code via a telephone call for the voluntary NIC to top up my state pension due next April.

I too was advised to go online but felt uneasy doing this (not uncommon as noted, 1 digit out and the funds go into the ether).  So I confirmed the number given to me on the phone via the online chat (keeping a printed record of the chat).

Then I wrote a letter with all the details and duplicated the important info on the back of the cheque (I admit I had to hunt down the chequebook☺️).  This was posted to the address given to me in the online chat.

It took HMRC over a month to cash the cheque. The info on your Govt Gateway account does not get updated, so I telephoned (long wait, again).  It was confirmed that the cheque had been received and the very helpful customer services chap allocated the payment while on the call.  It took c2 hours (but I was told could take several days) to appear on the gateway account.

So relatively easy, though I have to confess, the 5 week delay between posting and seeing the cheque clear was an agonising wait.  But now all up to date, and just waiting for contact to claim the state pension next year.

Good luck, whichever route you decide to take.