Overseas Voluntary Payment of Class 2 National Insurance Contributions via SWIFT

Hi, I'm a UK citizen based in Ireland. I received confirmation from HMRC in writing that I'm approved to top-up my state pension by paying qualifying years up to 2023 at the Class 2 rate. I paid in Sterling via an Overseas International Bank Transfer into the following HMRC account: * account number (IBAN) - GB49 BARC 2020 4830 9447 93 * Bank Identifier Code (BIC) - BARCGB22 * account name - HMRC NIC receipts I followed the instructions on the URL below to use a reference number of my NI number + IC + surname + initial: https://www.gov.uk/pay-class-2-national-insurance/make-online-telephone-bank-transfer There was no reference field available for the transaction - I placed the reference number in a field called "Your message" - which I interpreted as my message to HMRC - i.e. where the reference number should go! *Unfortunately*, upon studying the confirmation of the payment sent to me by my bank closely, it would appear that my bank used the 'Your Message' field to identify the transaction on my statement and did not transmit the reference number to HMRC!!! Instead, HMRC received a note, with the title "Purpose of payment/sender's message for the receiver". In this field, I included the following information: * PAYMENT OF VOLUNTARY CLASS 2 NICs * My first name & surname * My NI number * The tax years to which the payment applies To the best of my knowledge and belief, the transfer was sent via the SWIFT network via message type MT103 which does *not* have a reference field. Instead, this message has a note which is transmitted to the receiver as explained above (I believe the note is MT103 Field 72 - 6 lines of text with a maximum of 35 characters per line). Given this state of affairs, I have the following questions: 1. Can HMRC allocate my payment to my NI number based on the transaction details above - the NI number *is* available in SWIFT field 72 (6 lines of text - max 35 characters per line) - albeit not in the form that includes the IC + surname + initial suffix? 2. Should I start a missing payment request via telephone to ensure the allocation is made correctly? (A kind gentlemen on the helpline suggested this option if the allocation does not appear against my NI record in a few days.) 3. Rather than use the helpline, should I send a copy of the transaction (which includes source & destination IBAN, source & destination BIC, date, amount, purpose of payment/sender's message for the receiver, etc.) via registered post with a cover letter to explain the situation? I have trebled-checked the destination HMRC IBAN & BIC and I'm certain the money will arrive in that account once the funds have cleared (they have left my account already). I would be grateful on what you would recommend as a next step as I am concerned that my money - a significant amount - will become lost in the system! Finally, as a recommendation regarding the instructions for Overseas Payments, HMRC should state explicitly how they'd like to receive payments via SWIFT (a valid form of International Bank Transfer where it's possible to pay in Sterling but there is no reference field) vs. SEPA (where a reference field is available but one can only pay in Euros). Thanks in advance for your help, Agent Smith

Hi agent_smith,
Based on the information that you have provided, your payment should reach your National Insurance records. However, you can contact the National Insurance help line to check this.
If your payment is not shown on your records, the advisor will ask you for the information shown on your transaction and they will be able to arrange for a search of the payment.
The number to call is +44 (0) 191 2037010. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
If you’d rather contact HMRC by post, you can include a copy of the transaction with a covering letter providing us with the following information:
•    How the payment was made
•    The amount
•    The date it was paid, and the date it cleared with your bank
•    The HMRC account number and sort code that you used to make the payment
•    Your sort code, account number, IBAN number and payment reference that you used
Alternatively, you can use our webchat facility which can be found here National Insurance: general enquiries
Please choose the option ‘Ask HMRC online’. This service is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
Thank you.