Is there an age limit for paying voluntary NI contributions please?

pinnks

MarcusHutch said:

molerat said:

Perhaps that is only applicable to us as we live abroad?

That little piece of information dropped in at the last minute may have some bearing on the situation re buying back years post retirement.  I believe it has come up before, an ex-pat forum may be the best place for that discussion.

Strangely enough, the Pension Service said that *I could* pay voluntary contributions. I am 65 & not yet in receipt of my UK state pension.

A similar question came up on HMRC's customer forum:

Q. "I reach state pension age next month. PT Operations NE has replied stating it's too late to pay voluntary NI contributions for any tax years before the current one. I have searched everywhere and cannot find any reference to it being "too late" as I should be able to pay back to 2006 until the extended deadline in 2025. I also contacted FPH who were unsure why this response had been made."

A. "We can confirm that it is possible to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions from the 2006-2007 tax year which should be received by 5 April 2025.

As you’ve advised that you reach State Pension Age next month you may wish to pay them before that date so that you can get the best pension as soon as you reach your pension age."

It would appear that PT Ops in HMRC may have been sending out incorrect information.

MarcusHutch

Hi @pinnks, Thank you so much for that!

Is  HMRC's customer forum website / link screamingly obvious or can I just Google it please?

Thanks again!

pinnks

You can Google it and pick up posts but also sign up and use it here Customer Forums - Community Forum - GOV.UK (hmrc.gov.uk)

MarcusHutch

pinnks said:

You can Google it and pick up posts but also sign up and use it here Customer Forums - Community Forum - GOV.UK (hmrc.gov.uk)

I've signed up. Thanks so much @p@pinnks

pinnks

I assume you will asking your direct question and look forward to seeing HMRC's response.  Thus far I have no found anything in the legislation that limits the ability to pay voluntary NI by reference to age, let alone for only non-residents but it could of course be tucked away in some dark corner of some Act or set of Regulations, lol 

MarcusHutch

pinnks said:

I assume you will asking your direct question and look forward to seeing HMRC's response.  Thus far I have no found anything in the legislation that limits the ability to pay voluntary NI by reference to age, let alone for only non-residents but it could of course be tucked away in some dark corner of some Act or set of Regulations, lol 

Will try., I rang but gave up.... Off on hols so will try afterwards & keep you posted.

MarcusHutch

pinnks said:

I assume you will asking your direct question and look forward to seeing HMRC's response.  Thus far I have no found anything in the legislation that limits the ability to pay voluntary NI by reference to age, let alone for only non-residents but it could of course be tucked away in some dark corner of some Act or set of Regulations, lol 

Hi I spoke to someone (at International Pensions Centre from memory) about whether those who are already retired can still top up NICs voluntarily & they thought one could!

MarcusHutch

pinnks said:

I assume you will asking your direct question and look forward to seeing HMRC's response.  Thus far I have no found anything in the legislation that limits the ability to pay voluntary NI by reference to age, let alone for only non-residents but it could of course be tucked away in some dark corner of some Act or set of Regulations, lol 

Hi, Well, we have been informed that my wife, despite living abroad (like me :-)  ) & being 67 can indeed make voluntary NI contributions.