Living Abroad - paying Class 3 years for time when living in UK (missed because of university)

Hi I moved from the UK (to Switzerland) in February 2020. I have already filled a CF83, received confirmation I am eligible and paid Class 2 NICs for 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. These years are already showing as full. I have 7 unfilled years from 2007-2008 to 2013-2014 inclusive. During these years I was at university in the UK (did a PhD hence 7 years). I understand I can fill these years at the Class 3 rate. I have no plans to move back to the UK, so would like to fill all of these. I already tried to pay one of these years, using the format QQ123456AICJONESA. Should I have used an 18-digit reference number as I was resident in the UK during these years? Do I need to ring up to assign this payment? Should I get an 18-digit reference number to fill the remaining 6 years? Or just use my reference in the format QQ123456AICJONESA?

Hi,

You were right in using the reference number that you did. If your payment is not recorded on your personal tax account (PTA) then you will need to contact our National Insurance team and they will be able to arrange for your payment to be allocated to your National Insurance account.  

National Insurance: general enquiries

Thank you.
 

Aren't you only able to back pay the last 6 years?

Hi Mike,
You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. The deadline is 5 April each year.
You can sometimes pay for gaps from more than 6 years ago, depending on your age.
If you’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953 - you have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between tax years April 2006 and April 2016 if you’re eligible.
After 5 April 2025 you’ll only be able to pay for voluntary contributions for the past 6 years.
Thank you.

HMRC admin stated this comment below.... * If you’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953 - you have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between tax years April 2006 and April 2016 if you’re eligible. What about the years from 2016 2017 2018 2019 and 2020 ? Can you pay voluntary class 3 national insurance contributions fir these years?

Hi Jimmy,
I can confirm that an individual may pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for the 2006-2007 to 2023-2024 tax years at the moment.  
This will change after 5 April 2025.  
Before deciding to pay voluntary contributions, may I suggest that you first obtain a State Pension Forecast via Check your State Pension forecast to ensure that it’s worthwhile to do so.
Thank you.