Message for UK pension enthusiasts…

[MartoMiyagi]

On Feb 7th I posted two cheques off to HMRC. One for over 2,000GBP to back pay as much as I could. The other for around 180GBP to cover year 2023-24.Both cheques were cashed on 28th Feb. From this date I have been checking every week or so to see if these payments are reflected in my NIC record. Unsuprisingly, nothing, until today! I just checked my NIC record online and was surprised to see it showing 2023-24 showing as paid in full!

The 14 or so years I can back pay (and have done at Class 2 rates) are still shown as not paid in full and quoted at Class 3 rates

It is nice to see some progress on this at least!

Many thanks to Ben and the contributors to this forum for inspiring me to get this all sorted out!

[kuma]

even if you show them a screenshot, there is nothing there that identifies you…

Just to post the below MoneySavingExpert advice on this point:

We'd urge you to take a picture of the form you filled in, and a screen grab of the request sent screen, then email it to yourself, so you've a contemporaneous time stamped note in case something goes wrong so you can prove you did it in time.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savin ... ributions/

Though yes, ILJ's point and RJ's response stand re the shortfalls of the callback form and proof of identity/submission.

Months seems to be the case for assessing online applications. However, postal applications are taking 12+ months to assess. I sent mine in August 2024 and am now expecting a reply in September 2025.
Regarding payment, two days ago an HMRC answer on the HMRC customer forums stated, "you will have a 4 week timeframe to be able to pay after 5 April 2025. For example, if we issue you a response to your CF83 application on 20 April 2025, you will have until 20 May 2025 to pay". Not great for people who are living overseas or away on vacation for a few weeks.

Great post with recent information.
Fingers crossed you get a favourable response after your lengthy wait.

On Feb 7th I posted two cheques off to HMRC. One for over 2,000GBP to back pay as much as I could. The other for around 180GBP to cover year 2023-24.Both cheques were cashed on 28th Feb. From this date I have been checking every week or so to see if these payments are reflected in my NIC record. Unsuprisingly, nothing, until today! I just checked my NIC record online and was surprised to see it showing 2023-24 showing as paid in full!

The 14 or so years I can back pay (and have done at Class 2 rates) are still shown as not paid in full and quoted at Class 3 rates

It is nice to see some progress on this at least!

Many thanks to Ben and the contributors to this forum for inspiring me to get this all sorted out!

Great to hear of a success story; the cheque payment worked out, then! Hopefully the remaining record gets updated in due course.

[cru42]

The 14 or so years I can back pay (and have done at Class 2 rates) are still shown as not paid in full and quoted at Class 3 rates
It is nice to see some progress on this at least!
Many thanks to Ben and the contributors to this forum for inspiring me to get this all sorted out!

Hang in there, MartoMiyagi.

I back payed over a dozen years at class 2 (and a few at class 3) rates electronically in early Oct'24.
Phoned twice in October and December to check on status; staff were able to confirm exact amounts received but that posting them online would be slow. I was told May 2025 and then Aug 2025 as likely dates.

I checked the HMRC app regularly but nothing changed until January, when ( think) seven years worth (starting from the most recent) were posted online. The remainder, bar one, were posted this week.

I also snail-mailed details of the electronic payments in December.

[RingoFan]

Hello everyone,

Just a quick thank you to those who have contributed to this thread.

I've applied for a callback from the DWP, and emailed a screenshot of the confirmation as evidence.
I was considering giving them a call, but then realised that Skype has been discontinued by Microsoft, so I have no cost-effective means to call the UK.

According to my HMRC page, I have 18 years of gaps that can be paid (at the full class 3 rate).

Cheers,
James
x

[RetireJapan]

I was considering giving them a call, but then realised that Skype has been discontinued by Microsoft, so I have no cost-effective means to call the UK.

Skype still works until May, might as well use up and credit you have left

[CluelessToshika]

I was considering giving them a call, but then realised that Skype has been discontinued by Microsoft, so I have no cost-effective means to call the UK.

Skype still works until May, might as well use up and credit you have left

May 5th, to be precise:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/sky ... 68a9f90472

I haven't tried it yet, but looks like Viber (owned by Rakuten, hah) might be a good replacement.

[Mr Tardy]

I’ve just experienced the difference between phoning the Pension Service from abroad, and home.

Back in the UK for a week, phoned the Pension Service at 8 am on the dot, didn’t even get to the musak - picked up seconds after selecting option 3, operator confirmed payment was worthwhile - and more or less repeating the internet future pension forecast. Makes me wonder if the instructions to phone the Pension Service is just put in the form letter to cover edge cases.

From Japan, same conditions - musak, musak, phone hangs up!

Tomorrow I’ll see if HMRC is as prompt that early in the morning in the UK…

So is this of no help to people who have a letter, but have been unable to break through the musak of the Pension Service helpline or get their calls dropped repeatedly?

The wording of the callback form suggests it is not limited to those making 'first contact' with the department:

Complete this form if you're struggling to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone to pay voluntary National Insurance Contributions.

DWP will contact you on the phone number you provide in this form to discuss payment of voluntary National Insurance contributions.

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/request-a-cal ... ntact-form

I also wonder if they callback international numbers.

The form asks for the country code for international numbers, suggesting they will call internationally.

I’ve had a callback request for 2 weeks with no joy, and am wondering if the phone will ever ring.

Fingers crossed. By all accounts they are swamped.