Have the reference number for paying backdated pension contributions, but how do I make payment?

DhwERbf689

I got the reference number from HMRC a few months ago to make backdated payments and assumed I would be paying online with that reference but when I log into my HMRC account and click the "Check if you can pay any gaps online" button on their website I get the following message...

"There are years on your National Insurance record that have not been updated. This means you are unable to pay for gaps online."

So online obviously isn't an option. How do I make the payment and ensure its all tied into my reference number and paid to the correct years?

On a seperate note; when I called HMRC all those months ago the agent did a calculation and told me how much I had to pay to fill in all gaps but the number she has provided is a fair bit lower than the number I get when adding up all my "Payable Gaps" on the HMRC website, should I go ahead and pay the higher amount to make sure everything that should be paid is or stick with her calculation? 

I do recall at the time she seemed to just be adding things up manually or with a calculator from the impression I got when speaking to her rather than having a clear number in front of her on screen so I'm not convinced she's added it up correctly.

DhwERbf689

Has anyone got any advice on this?

molerat

You can make a payment by bank transfer / on line banking.  But the discrepancy in pricing could be a problem.  Apparently the code includes an amount, not sure what would happen if you paid what you consider the correct amount but if you do pay through banking you will have a traceable payment if it does go a bit wrong.

DhwERbf689

And how do I know which bank account etc to send it to?

I can't find any clear details online that say "send pension contributions to XXX account and sort code".

Thanks for the clarification on the amount. Not sure what to do on that then as don't want money being lost to the void but like you say there's a paper trail at least so hopefully could sort it in future if need be.

molerat

https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance/make-online-or-telephone-bank-transfer

You can pay by bank transfer using Faster Payments, CHAPS or Bacs.

Make your payment to the following HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) bank account, unless you’re paying from an overseas account:

• sort code - 08 32 20
• account number - 12001004
• account name - HMRC NIC Receipts

Payment reference

Use your 18-digit reference number when making your payment. You’ll find it on the payment request sent to you by HMRC.

DhwERbf689

Thanks a lot, appreciate it. 

ironlady2022

Hi, can I ask who provides the 18 digit ref? Where can we get it from plz