New CF83 form guidance (HMRC 12/23)

I see the CF83 layout has changed and can't find detailed guidance in filling it out. Nor can I find specific form filling guidance in NI38 which is now fully on line. I was expecting the CF83 form to require users who've had multiple jobs abroad to submit details at Q28 like exact dates, employers, contact details and type of employment to allow HMRC to offer gap periods to be filled at either class 2 or class 3. Also for the user to be able to apply up front for class 2 or 3 status. Can I ask is that information still required? If not, is supplying it useful towards maximising the possibility of filling gap years at class 2 rates? Or has the assessment process changed? As well as being a future UK State Pensioner in my own right, I'm a financial adviser based overseas who helps others tidy up their UK State Pension. I'm not a UK tax agent but is there any other form of agent access to the system a customer of mine can grant me so that I can see what's going on for that client? Many thanks,

Am in similar situation to Steve above. 1 - What is the HMRC cut-off DATE for NOT accepting old CF83 forms anymore? 2 - 'Has the CF83 assessment process changed?' is a critical question we need a DETAILED answer to please. 3 - If a person has lived and worked (paying Nat Ins) in the UK for just 1 year followed immediately by 2 qualifying years of working/paying EU Social Insurance (as per NI38 guidance), how should one answer Q5 & Q6? ie: Will answering 'No' to Q5 & Q6 disqualify those who previously qualified for Class 2 as they paid EU social insurance? 4 - If a person can not recall their National Insurance number, presumably their last 3 address and any additional employment details are still required to find them on your system? Thanks in advance.

Hi Steve Thaxter,
The online guidance for completion of the new CF83 and the NI38 will be updated, unfortunately I can not provide you with a timescale for these updates.
With regards to question 28, I would advise you/your clients to enclose a covering letter with the application providing details of all other employments/self-employment abroad i.e. exact dates and names and addresses of employers.
We no longer ask the applicant which rate they are applying to pay, we use the information provided on the application to determine the class of voluntary National Insurance contributions they are eligible to pay.
Your clients can complete form 64-8 to authorise you to be their agent - Authorise a tax agent (64-8)
Thank you.
 

Hi,

We establish a person’s National Insurance Liability from what they have one their UK record and also take into account any other factors which may help you meet the conditions to pay.

We are still accepting old style applications and will make an informed decision on the information provided by the applicant.

We are unable to give specifics on this forum.

Thank you.
 

>>> We are still accepting old style applications Thank you for clarifying. Can you please confirm that you will continue to do so up until 5 April 2025? Or if not, what's the cut-off point / where can people check whether or not you're still accepting old style applications?

Hello I am trying out the CF83 form online - works pretty well but one question stumps me and it is a change to a simialr question in the old form around residency. The new form asks where you "ordinarily resident in the UK", "before going abroad for this period". I asked a guy who handles CF83 here how do I answer but he replied that it relates to residency now & since I'm in Ireland he says to answer NO. I'm not happy with that answer as I think I he is still in the old form mode. I tried reading the support material around ordinary residency but I am none the wiser - it is not so simple. How does answering this question affect my right to (1) add additonal contributions to cover my gap (2) getting a pension. Contex: I worked in Ireland before working in the UK for 6+ years and now back in Ireland regards Paul

Hi Johnny King,
I am unable to confirm what the cut-off date for accepting the old style CF83 would be.
The new style CF83 is available to use online and can be found here -Apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions when abroad (CF83) 
Thank you.
 

Thank you Admin. Q - If a person has lived and worked (paying Nat Ins) in the UK for just 1 year followed immediately by 2 qualifying years of working/paying EU Social Insurance (as per NI38 guidance), how should one answer Q5 & Q6? ie: Will answering 'No' to Q5 & Q6 disqualify those who previously qualified for Class 2 as they paid EU social insurance? Q - If a person can not recall their National Insurance number, presumably their last 3 address and any additional employment details are still required to find them on your system as per NI38 Guidance?

Hi Paul O'DONOGHUE,
The question is referring to the period directly before you left the UK, and you must base your answer on your circumstances at the time you left the UK.
Some customers have been resident in the UK and abroad on numerous occasions, so the part that says ‘before going abroad for this period’ is referring to your latest period of residence in the UK. Without looking at your personal records, I am unable to confirm how your answer to this question will affect the outcome of your application.  
Further information about being ordinarily resident in the UK can be found in the NI38 - Guidance on Social Security abroad: NI38
Thank you.



 

Hi Johnny King,
We are unable to confirm how the answers to certain questions will affect the decision of an application.
Many factors need to be taken into account, and the decision will be made once the application has been processed.
With regards to the application, for question 5, you need to confirm if you have lived in the UK for 3 years in a row at any time prior to leaving the UK.
For question 6, you need to confirm if you have paid 3 full years of National Insurance contributions in the UK before leaving the UK.
If a person cannot recall their National Insurance number, please provide as much information as possible to enable us to trace their National Insurance number including name, previous names, date of birth and previous employments in the UK.
Thank you. 

Hi, Can I complete CF83 online if I've had more than one overseas employer?

Hi NeilBruce60,
I can confirm that you may complete the CF83 application form online if you have had more than one overseas employer.
Thank you.

Hello. Could you tell me where I can find the online version of the CF application form? So that I may complete the form online? I have had two overseas employers. But now I am unemployed. Can I pay Class 2 and Class 3 for the respective periods? Many thanks for your help.

Thanks, Admin20 for your response. Just a note for everybody rushing to complete their CF83 from overseas. It's much, much easier to do it online. The way the form is structured and all the double-checks are really helpful. It is better than the hard-copy version and has space to add extra information.

Hi,
Please see the link below
Apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions when abroad (CF83) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Thank you

Thank you to NeilBruce60 and HMRC Admin 33 for the advice above. I am making an attempt to fill in the CF83 form online. There is one part "Countries you lived in during the period abroad ". So the start and end dates of each period is asked. What do I fill in if I am still living abroad? The form requires that end dates be filled in for all periods. Many thanks in advance.

Hi I’m living in Australia for over 30 years since 1986 I don’t have details of all my employment only really the last 20 years and not all dates just approximate. What can I do about missing details of employment. Also how do I find out if it’s worth paying for more credits as I only have 8 years. I have the list on how much I need to pay for each year so very confused but no other details.

Hi Ada Ma,
Your current period abroad will be included if you selected yes to the question, are you still living in this country.
The section ‘Countries you lived in during the period abroad’ only relates to previous periods you were abroad, not current
Thank you.

Hi Suse,
As you can only pay arrears of voluntary National Insurance contributions from 6 April 2006 onwards we would only need details from that date.
Provide as much information as you have, if we require clarification we will advise you what we need.
In order to decide whether you want to contribute further please visit Check your State Pension forecast
Thank you.

Is it correct that I can pay a reduced rate for a top up NI payment if I was working abroad. For example I worked in Singapore and Dubai. The average arrears seems to be £850 / year. I was led to believe I can pay a reduced amount since I was overseas? Does anyone know, please?