Voluntary National Insurance contributions

Emily_Joy

Following MSE advice, I have checked that a couple of years are "not full" according to DWP and I decided to make extra payment. Since I worked abroad during this time, I couldn't do it online, so I requested a call back. They called me in May to confirm and said that my details will be passed to a third party(?) and they will take it further.

Now I have some travel planned in Summer, mainly China and Australia. So I am wondering what is going to happen if I am not able to answer the phone due to time difference/not having enough balance in my account?

Muttleythefrog

Emily_Joy said:

Following MSE advice, I have checked that a couple of years are "not full" according to DWP and I decided to make extra payment. Since I worked abroad during this time, I couldn't do it online, so I requested a call back. They called me in May to confirm and said that my details will be passed to a third party(?) and they will take it further.

Now I have some travel planned in Summer, mainly China and Australia. So I am wondering what is going to happen if I am not able to answer the phone due to time difference/not having enough balance in my account?

Have you tried the online chat... presumably you just need a reference code and the banking details so you can make payment or is the working abroad a complicating factor?

Are the years in question now expired and you're waiting for callback having requested before deadline?

Obviously whether you have the funds is not something we can help with... make sure you have them ready if you intend to pay... budget.

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

To try to get an agent (after the bots) https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/ask-hmrc/chat/national-insurance

(If you feel you don't get suitable advice suggest moving the thread to a more appropriate section (ask a moderator)... probably https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/state-pension-topping-up )

QrizB

If you want to speak to someome, the usual advice is to phone them dead on 0800 and wait in the queue.

MSE_ForumTeam5

We've moved this to the relevant board

Emily_Joy

I thought it is a good idea to post an update. 

I received the first phone call mid-May just confirming my details. About a week ago, in early January, I received another phone call with payment instructions. Prior to each I received a text message saying they will call within next 7 days and attempt to call twice. After the second phone call one has 31 days to pay full amount. 

pinnks

If you worked abroad during the years you want to pay you must first send form CF83 to HMRC (unless you are past pension age, when DWP deals with it) to establish whether you can pay the weeks at Class 2 or Class 3.  That is separate from any call back discussions with DWP.  Have you done that? What Class of NI have HMRC said?

Emily_Joy

pinnks said:

If you worked abroad during the years you want to pay you must first send form CF83 to HMRC (unless you are past pension age, when DWP deals with it) to establish whether you can pay the weeks at Class 2 or Class 3.  That is separate from any call back discussions with DWP.  Have you done that? What Class of NI have HMRC said?

I was doing my MSc on the continent, I don't think this counts as work.

pinnks

In which case it will be Class 3 but you still need to send the form or speak to the Pension Service.  Apologies for not making that clear previously.