Paid Vountary NiCs as advised, not the outcome I expected.

I paid 8 years voluntary NiCs on 28th Feb 2025 in order to boost my state Pension (due sept 2027) after a call and advice from Future Pensions Centre (FPC). FPC advised me to pay specific years and indicated the differences those years would make to my future pension. I borrowed money and paid HMRC £6541.60 for 8 tax years (from 15/16 up to and including 22/23). Checking my Pension forecast online shows I'm 1 year short of the predicted Pension amount (£213.78 per week rather than the £220.10 per week as advised). Speaking to the FPC again this morning I'm told that 2015/16 may not count towards my state pension. Clearly I'm a little upset by this as I can't afford the £824.20 I paid for 2015/16 not to have any effect. I was asked to email the FPC to discuss, which I've done. Will I be able to rectify this situation?

Hi CraigHew,
If the Future Pension Centre has verified that the tax year 2015-16 has not positively impacted your pension, you might be eligible for a refund due to possible misadvise.
To request a refund, you'll need to submit your application in writing.
Keep in mind that if you do receive a refund, it could affect your ability to make contributions for this year in the future.
Please send your correspondence to us at:
National Insurance Contributions & Employer Office 
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1AN
Stating the tax year and why you think you are due a refund.
If you need further assistance with your refund, please call National Insurance on 0300 200 3500
Thank you. 

 

Hi I have received a reply to my application confirming I am eligibile for class 3 however I think I may be entitled to class 2, Due to working .....Do I need to resubmit the application, ? I have already sent a letter asking for the application to be reviewed, however the periods in questions are 2018 and 2017 which obviously after 05.04.2025 will disappear..

Hi Sharon2,
As you have written to the department, we will consider the request to pay Class 2 if all information is supplied and is received before 5 April 2025.
You could also submit a further CF83 online and include additional notes as to why you believe you are entitled to pay Class 2 before 5 April 2025.
Thank you. 

 

Well, a very nice gentleman from HMRC sorted this for me. Basically he "un-allocated" the payment from 2015/16 and re-allocated it against 2023/34. There was a slight difference in the cost for 23/24 tax year so I paid the difference through another 18 digit reference number. All sorted now and (almost) full weekly pension to look forward to.

Thank you.

In relation to your reply regardng my request a case worker review my application to pay class 2 and re-submitting the form. My original application was correct and included the correct details, giving details of my employment. (completed on line) When resubmitting the application do I need to enter all the details again (as if it is a new application?) and then in notes section.. put that I have sent a letter asking that the previous application to be reviewed and why, ? (If the letter asking for the case to be reviewed is received before 05.04.2025 I still need to re-submit the form?) when the original form was correct? I

Hi Sharon2,
Yes, please complete the CF83 form as if it is a new application and explain why you think the previous application was actioned incorrectly.
Our guidelines and policies indicate that if you believe an outcome is incorrect, to complete a new CF83 and to explain why you think so, I will therefore advise you to submit the CF83 even if your correspondence has been received by HMRC.
Please submit your new CF83 form by the 5 April deadline. 
Thank you. 


 

Hello, I live in the USA now. On the 27th of June 2024 I pain 6 years voluntary class 2 contributions. It has been 9 months and this money has still not been allocated to my pension. My pension forecast has not changed. I have called many times to have this resolved to no avail. I called 2 days ago and the representative confirmed (once again) that HMRC has received the funds. His words were " I cannot understand why this has not been processed". He put a request thru for this to be done. That request has been put thru at least 5 times over the last 9 months but nothing happens. Please someone resolve this for me, I have been extremely patient, but that patience is pretty much gone

Hi, I have received permission to pay Class 2 NI contributions (I live abroad) I have also received a list of shortfalls to be paid. I called the telephone number on my letter and was advised to pay all the shortfall years. I am a little confused as on a previous call it was indicated that some shortfalls might not count. Hence the reason I called again. I need to transfer the money tomorrow so that I get it there before the 5 April. I tried calling again to clarify this on Friday without success. Also my letter says that all the payments should be paid before the 5 April otherwise they could go up in amount if I don’t. Perhaps this forum is managed out of hours, I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks

Hi Hilary Stadler,
Please contact the Future Pension Centre (FPC) to discuss paying the voluntary contributions shortfalls that have been given.
If you are unable to get through to the number on the letter you can request a call back to discuss payment of voluntary NICs for tax years from 2006 by completing and submitting an online form to register your interest.
This will be sent to FPC and you will be contacted within 8 weeks.
o find this form go to GOV.UK and search Contact the Future Pension Centre
If you submit your request by the 5 April 2025 deadline, you will still be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions after the deadline has passed.
Thank you 
 

Hi Bruce Sword,
Apologies for the delay in allocating your payment.
Due to the high volume of customers trying to make voluntary contributions for periods abroad, it currently could take up to 56 weeks for our caseworkers to allocate your payment.
If at any point you fall within 6 month of your State Pension and your payment has still not been allocated, please contact the National Insurance department on 0300 200 3500 or +44 191 203 7010 if calling from outside the UK.
This is the only exception we can consider in escalating an allocation. 
Thank you.