Why is it not possible to pay for any missing state pension year on government gateway web?

travelling_about

I am trying to pay back past years of national insurance contributions. (The 2019-20 year in particular to start with). 

I have managed to log onto the government gateway state pension forecast online website to see the years I am missing. I was thinking I could pay back any missing year - however I am only presented with two options. 

1) 2023-24

2) 2019-20 and 2023-24

I don't understand why they don't let you pay off any year you want. I just want to pay off the 2019-20 year for the moment and see about other years later on. 

It says that that for other options, you need to contact the future pension service to get the reference for paying off the year in question.  

If you log on via a different format (eg HMRC app), will the options likely be the same?

Can you send a webchat to HMRC to get the reference number for the year in question? (Instead of ringing them up)

(And will this reference number then appear on your Gov gateway account for online payment? Or will you have to pay another way?)

Can you just send in a cheque by post with the year you want to pay off along with your National insurance number? 

(I would prefer to avoid needing to ring them if possible)

Any tips on what the best thing to do is would be greatly appreciated. 

la531983

Well first thing to ask is....do you actually NEED to pay it?

molerat

The automated system works on cheapest first, a "flaw" that was picked up here when first implemented. 23-24 is cheaper than 19-20 so to do it via the on line system you would need to pay the 2.  The old fashioned cheque in the post is possibly the simplest but maybe slowest to get confirmed.

travelling_about

Thanks for your replies. Yes - I need to pay off quite a few years and want to do it bit by bit. Can't afford two years in one go. It still seems strange they can't just give you more than two options.  Yes cheque in the post is possible - is it correct you can just send it in with your N ins number (specifying the year) and no need for the 18 digit reference? Might also try webchat with HMRC as seems to be an option according to the government pension website. 

travelling_about

Just downloaded the HMRC app to see if other options are possible. Most of the content on the app just links through to your government gateway online account with the same options! So looks like chat, telephone call or cheque in the post are the way to go. 

QrizB

travelling_about said:

I am trying to pay back past years of national insurance contributions. (The 2019-20 year in particular to start with). 

I have managed to log onto the government gateway state pension forecast online website to see the years I am missing. I was thinking I could pay back any missing year - however I am only presented with two options. 

1) 2023-24

2) 2019-20 and 2023-24

I don't understand why they don't let you pay off any year you want. I just want to pay off the 2019-20 year for the moment and see about other years later on.

How many past years do you need to get a full pension?

The system might only be offering you two years because it thinks you only need two?

What does your forecast say?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

molerat

QrizB said:

travelling_about said:

I am trying to pay back past years of national insurance contributions. (The 2019-20 year in particular to start with). 

I have managed to log onto the government gateway state pension forecast online website to see the years I am missing. I was thinking I could pay back any missing year - however I am only presented with two options. 

1) 2023-24

2) 2019-20 and 2023-24

I don't understand why they don't let you pay off any year you want. I just want to pay off the 2019-20 year for the moment and see about other years later on.

How many past years do you need to get a full pension?

The system might only be offering you two years because it thinks you only need two?

What does your forecast say?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

All that is not really relevant to the particular question.  The problem is that the automated system will not allow you to choose the particular year to pay when you only want to pay one.  OP states they need to top up several years and I would assume they have consulted their forecast to find that information.  They have also stated they cannot afford to pay more than one year at a time but the system prevents them for paying for the oldest year, which ceases to be available from next April, because it is not the cheapest. The system clearly states they need at least the 2 years but only allows them to be paid in a set order.  It is a flaw in the system that some of us picked up on when it was first introduced.

QrizB

molerat said:

.OP states they need to top up several years and I would assume they have consulted their forecast to find that information.

I didn't want to assume. We get enough folks posting here who haven't checked, or have checked but didn't understand what they were being told, that I thought it was worth asking.

travelling_about

Yes I can confirm I need to pay quite a few of the last few years which are available to pay and the system is still only giving me those two options. So it is definitely a flaw in the system. Tried many times to chat with HMRC on their webchat yesterday but no human advisers available at all. Will keep trying.