how do i actually top up my state pension?

help_please_2013

I need to top up my state pension .I need to top up 10 years  and I have 12 years left to do this.

But I cant actually see on the my tax account with HRMC how I actually do this,

It just  sends  me to  payment page with no reference and way of selected the actual years I paying.

Am I missing something?

I would have thought there would be a simple link where you select the year you wish to top up  and it tells how much to pay,

does anyone have an idiots guide how to you actually pay?

Finally I did notice when I last logged HRMC seem to saying they might be making this process easier is that correct 

thanks in advance

DE_612183

Have you got your state pension forecast?

And the list of NI years missing?

This is your first port of call.

molerat

HMRC are trying to get a system working to make paying easier, it will be live last autumn

You firstly need to contact the Future Pension Centre who will advise you what you need to do and which years are viable.  You then contact HMRC and tell them what you want to do and they will give you a code to put into your on line banking / bank payment slip, that code is specific to what you are filling.  Alternatively you work out which years you want to pay and write a letter enclosing a cheque to HMRC.  You can set up a direct debit payment for future years if you wish.  All the options are listed on the how to pay page. https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance

Do you know which years you need to fill and how they will affect your pension especially if there are any pre 2016 years on your list ?

help_please_2013

DE_612183 said:

Have you got your state pension forecast?

And the list of NI years missing?

This is your first port of call.

yes I have all of the above 

its the actual payment I'm struggling to carry out 

help_please_2013

I gave up on contacting the  Future pension centre I was on hold then cut off numerous times 
.

Would an option be to send a cheque with a letter explaining all the relevant details.

Ideally if someone had a fool proof way of paying without spending days on the phone that would be grea

DE_612183

I think you need to contact the future pensions line and they will give you a reference number which you then take to HRMC to make the payment.

My wife did this last year - you need patience ( lots of it ).

molerat

DE_612183 said:

I think you need to contact the future pensions line and they will give you a reference number which you then take to HRMC to make the payment.

My wife did this last year - you need patience ( lots of it ).

FPC agree which years you need to pay

You then contact HMRC and tell them what you want to pay as advised by FPC

HMRC issue a code based on that information

molerat

help_please_2013 said:

I gave up on contacting the  Future pension centre I was on hold then cut off numerous times 
.

Would an option be to send a cheque with a letter explaining all the relevant details.

Ideally if someone had a fool proof way of paying without spending days on the phone that would be grea

Currently the only way to avoid the telephone queues is with a cheque.

You simply write  to them stating your name, address & NI number with a list which of years you are paying, the cost of each and total amount and enclose a cheque for that amount.

The only downside to the cheque method is that it may be many months before the letter is actioned.