Paying Class 2 contributions methods

Hello, all. I need to start paying Class 2 voluntary contributions, I've seen my personal record and now I need to begin the process of paying. Unfortunately, I need a payment reference number which I don't have and I've tried phoning, but with the deadline approaching this June the lines are swamped. Is there another method to pay Class 2 contributions? The website did mention a method sending it in via checque? Thanks

Could really do with some help on this issue? I don't particularly fancy waiting on the phone for hours.

Hi,

You have asked about paying voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions. Class 2 National Insurance contributions are paid by a person who is self employed. If you are self employed, you would pay these contributions through your Self Assessment. If you are self employed and need to register your self employment with HMRC you can use the link here:

Register for Self Assessment

If you are not self employed in the UK and you are enquiring about paying voluntary National Insurance contributions, it would be voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions that you would pay, not Class 2. Please see the following link on how to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions, this includes information on how to pay by cheque.

 Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

If you are abroad you may be able to pay either Class 2 or Class 3 National Insurance contributions. See the following link for further information, and how to apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions whilst abroad:

Social Security abroad: NI38

Please note, before deciding to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions, you must contact the Department Of Work and Pensions to confirm that paying voluntary National Insurance contributions will increase your pension. If you do not, and your pension does not increase after paying them, you will not automatically be entitled to a refund. Their contact details arebelow: 

0800 731 0175 for customers under state pension age.
0800 731 0469 for customers over state pension age.
+44 (0) 191 218 7777 for all customers living outside of the UK.

Thank you.
 

I live abroad and my CF83 application to pay voluntary Class 2 NICs has just been approved. I have been in touch with DWP and I know which years to pay. I want to make a one-time payment to top-up several years that I missed while working overseas. Please confirm that I do NOT need 18-digit reference numbers to attach to my Class 2 payment.

Hi IslandGirl,
When an individual is overseas and wishes to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions, the 18 Digit to use when sending a bank transfer to us is:  use your National Insurance number followed by IC, your surname and initial.
If you don’t have room for your full surname or initial then use as much of your surname as possible.  
So for example you would use:  QQ123456AICSURNAMEINITIAL
Thank you.

Hi HMRC: What should we do if the rule you outline above to create the bank transfer "18 Digit" only results in a 17 Digit number? For example, a JOHN SMITH would be QQ123456AICSMITHJ which is 17 digits. Is 18 Digits a requirement? If so, where should the 18th digit come from in this example (would it be the second letter of the first name...or maybe the initial of a middle name)? Cheers.

Hi Keith,
There are special rules for customers that live or work overseas who wish to pay their voluntary National Insurance contributions.  
We refer to the 18 Digit Reference Number but for overseas customers it’s not always 18 digits long – it can’t be longer than 18 digits but it can be shorter.  
So your example of 17 digits is fine.
Thank you.

 

Perfect! Thanks for the reply.

Hi, I've been approved to pay voluntary class 2 contributions while living and working abroad. I sent a cheque with my national insurance number on the back and a covering letter as advised by the future pension person I contacted. This was just over 4 weeks ago but the cheque has not been cashed yet. Allowing a couple of weeks for you to receive the cheque how long should I expect for this to be processed and cashed. Thanks in advance

Hi Brummie Slade,
If you could call the National Insurance Helpline on 0300 2003500 (from the UK) or +44 191 2037010 (from overseas) then they will be able to trace for your payment and arrange for it to be allocated to your National Insurance account.  
Please have details of your cheque handy when you call as they will ask for them.
Thank you.



 

Hello HMRC, I live abroad and my CF83 application to pay voluntary Class 2 NICs has just been approved. I have been in touch with DWP and I know which years to pay. I want to make a one-time payment to top-up several years that I missed while working overseas. Can you please confirm that the EARLIER years from 2006/7 will automatically be paid first from the payment that I send? I'm asking this because I only need to pay the 12 earlier years in order to reach the maximum pension. (apologies for copying from the previous post but it was very succinct!)

Hi Al J,
When you make your payment of voluntary National Insurance contributions by bank transfer, please wait 10 working days then call our National Insurance: general enquiries,
you can then advise them which tax years you wish your payment to be allocated to.
Thank you.

Hi, I paid class 2 contributions by cheque with a covering letter to fill in gaps in my record. Cheque was cashed 10 weeks ago but still no sign of my record being updated when i check online. How long should i expect to wait to see this happen? I also requested a receipt and have received nothing. I am not reaching pension age for 6 years so not sure if this is making me a low priority to be actioned. Thanks in advance

Hello HMRC I have spoken to the DWP who have confirmed that I have two gaps in my contribution history before 2006 that I can fill by April 2029 I currently pay Class 4 and Class 2 through self assessment (by being self employed) Can you please advise how I should pay voluntary Class 2 contributions to fill the gaps? The links I can see on HMRC's website arrive at a page entitled 'pay Class 2 National Insurance if you do not pay through Self Assessment' - this isn't appropriate in my circumstances, as I do pay Class 2 through self assessment Can you please also confirm whether it's my current circumstances that govern the type of voluntary contributions that I pay, or my circumstances at the time of the gaps

Hi Brummie Slade,
You can find out when you can expect to receive a reply form HMRC here:  
Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC
Thank you

Hi Adin 34, that link is not relevant for finding out how long you are taking to process cheques and update national insurance records.

Hi John RS,
Your circumstances at the time, and the length of time that has passed since the year you wish to pay, govern what can be paid and at what rate.
Currently, National Insurance contributionss can be paid voluntarily for years from 2006 onwards, however from 6 April 2025, payment can only be made for the years 2019 to 2020 onwards. The information you have quoted with regard to the years you have been told you can pay does not seem to be correct.
Can we suggest that you double check this with DWP and then contact our National Insurance team.
National Insurance: general enquiries
Thank you.