UK State Pension newbie

[kuma]

My tuppenceworth is that I elect to pay manually, annually. Given the delays at every stage I didn't trust that by the time they processed the direct debit mandate there might not be another back payment arising, which would entail more hassle. Also, Ben's experience was that communication with HMRC could act to stop the direct debit in the future, resulting in more forms to sort payments out again. With the manual payments, I'm in control. Others may well disagree and like the automation of the DD.

Good luck to all; it's quite a good feeling when this all gets successfully set up.

[Bushiman]

Also, Ben's experience was that communication with HMRC could act to stop the direct debit in the future, resulting in more forms to sort payments out again.

This is my fear...
I backpayed the 12years but in the time it took them to process my DD, I missed a couple of months so although I have completed the most recent year of contributions via DD, the previous year is incomplete... What to do...
Do I count my losses and lose that year (I'm paying Class 2 so it's annoying but not a massive amount of money,) or, risk an endless cycle of backpay, DD stops, restart, miss months, backpay, DD stops, restart and so on? Hmmmmm...

[Beaglehound]

I would take the risk and back pay. Losing money through fear of HMRC incompetence is not something I could stomach. And what happened to Ben may not happen to you.

[Spa06Jc]

Quick update since my September post.

Those who warned against sending two forms were proved right - my September submission received a prompt reply asking me to fill in and submit a Class 3 form and send it (clearly they have a policy of only looking at the top form in the envelope only). Through gritted teeth, I did as they asked and this letter appears to have arrived on 11 November 2020. But despite an estimated completion date of 3 December 2020, it doesn't seem to have even progressed to 'work started' yet. I'm keen to call them to find out what is going on and to give them a push to finally sign me up, but can anyone confirm the best number to use for this? There are no phone numbers on the letters or on my HMRC account page, but I've found +441912037010 from an old (2018) thread - presume this still works and will give it a go this week unless anyone has a better suggestion.

This is the latest update in what has been now a three year saga of trying to pay NI contributions from Japan. I firmly believe they have a policy of delaying as much as possible so that we either give up, become liable to new less favourable government policy, or reach retirement age before getting it sorted.

Will update again if and when there is progress - hope others are having more luck!

[Chris]

I had some issues with them around mid-2020 (long-story).

Persistent with this complaint led me to finally get in contact with a high up and very knowledgably person at HMRC and she is a LEGEND!

I will explain why below...

I started my Voluntary NICs back in 2018 of which I originally applied for Class 2 because I believed I met the criteria for it. I was naturally denied Class 2 and put onto Class 3. Given the hassle and longer delays to dispute it I just accepted the Class 3 assignment (thinking that HMRC knew more about the requirements than me).

Anyway, during this unrelated complaint and amendment in mid-2020, the high up knowledgeable person took an in depth look at my NI record and she was like - "Chris, this is a Class 2 record. Why are you not Class 2? Did you not apply for Class 2?"

I was then like - "Of course I did, but they denied me"

She then explained and admitted that they often outsource this stuff and that often the staff don't actually have too much knowledge of the process. She also confirmed that voluntary NICs will appear as Class 3 as default on your NI record (even if they are Class 2) and that you need to request that they be Class 2 when you make payment.

Anyway, needless to say I got her E-mail and now going forward, when I make my annual Class 2 contribution, I just E-mail her, transfer the money to the required HMRC bank account and she will sort it as soon as possible for me. Which is great because I get Class 2 contributions and no longer need to waste time and Skype credit calling and waiting for them to add the contribution to my record.

Long story short, I can ask her if she would be happy for me to pass her HMRC E-mail address onto you (and others on this forum) if you like?

[Gareth]

I had a similar situation to Chris. I kept getting refused for everything, class 2 and class 3. I ended up emailing the MP in charge of HMRC and (four months later) got a reply from a complaints manager at HMRC that I would also describe as a legend. Everything was sorted in a few weeks. I could make 13 or so years of class 2 back payments and they were correctly credited to my record. He set up my direct debit, which I have had no issues with since.

Definitely worth officially complaining!

[KyushuWoozy]

This is the latest update in what has been now a three year saga of trying to pay NI contributions from Japan. I firmly believe they have a policy of delaying as much as possible so that we either give up, become liable to new less favourable government policy, or reach retirement age before getting it sorted.

Perhaps I was just lucky but it didn't take me anything like 3 years (a few months if I remember rightly). I did phone a couple of times to politely enquire about the progess and this may have helped.

I skyped this number: +441912037010, never had to hold more than 20 mins and usually much shorter wait, though may be longer now in covid era.

Good luck! The prize is definitely worth the chase.

[Chris]

got a reply from a complaints manager at HMRC that I would also describe as a legend.

Tracy W (won't include her full surname name unless she gives permission) by any chance?

[Chris]

Perhaps I was just lucky but it didn't take me anything like 3 years (a few months if I remember rightly).

Yea my Class 3 NICs actually only took a couple of months to set up back in 2018 but obviously disputing the Class 2 refusal would have slowed it down. I even made a few years of Class 3 payments as a result (which I have now replaced with Class 2 years and got refunded the difference).

It was just a stroke of luck that HMRC screwed up with this other issue I had with them of which led me to eventually get in contact with my now HMRC contact and she noticed that I should actually be Class 2 and instantly rectified it and sent me signed letter explaining that I will remain on Class 2 NICs until the next time I become a UK tax resident (or I guess unless they abolish Class 2 NICs).

The rest they say is just history. Luckily a happy ending on this occasion haha

[Spa06Jc]

Oh, that sounds like a fairy-tale ending! If you are able to pass on details/connect me to an actual person who works there it would be a massive help.

I assume the reason you have finally correctly ended up on Class 2 is because you had made 3 years of paid NI contributions prior to moving abroad (not including the 3 collage 'credit' years I think you get for staying on at school past 16)? I moved abroad straight after university which I think makes me ineligible for Class 2 (although that would be the dream!)

This is the latest update in what has been now a three year saga of trying to pay NI contributions from Japan. I firmly believe they have a policy of delaying as much as possible so that we either give up, become liable to new less favourable government policy, or reach retirement age before getting it sorted.

Perhaps I was just lucky but it didn't take me anything like 3 years (a few months if I remember rightly). I did phone a couple of times to politely enquire about the progess and this may have helped.

I skyped this number: +441912037010, never had to hold more than 20 mins and usually much shorter wait, though may be longer now in covid era.

Good luck! The prize is definitely worth the chase.

Thanks - in the meantime I will try that number. It's a three year saga because my initially rejected application in 2018 had no mention that I may be eligible for a different class, so I gave up for a year thinking it was an impossibility. Finding this community and reading about others in a similar situation gave me hope that I could get it. The rest of the hold up is down the incredibly slow communication from HMRC. This time I'm committed to not giving up though!