Paying NI voluntary contributions before 05/04/2023

Having lived overseas since 1991 I have recently discovered that I can make voluntary contributions to improve my UK state pension dating back to 2006 but these have to be made by 5 April 2023. I contacted the relevant department, downloaded the form, filled it in and sent it back (by post as requested) on 1 February but have been in formed that there is a 21 week backlog in handling these requests. Am I right in assuming that this means I will miss the deadline and therefore only be able to make voluntary contributions for the past 6 years? Many thanks.

Hi
I can confirm that if your CF83 (application to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions whilst abroad) was received by HMRC by 05/04/2023, you would be considered to pay voluntary National insurance contributions from the 2006-2007 tax year. 
Once the application has been processed, if you are eligible to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions a shortfall table will be issued, and you will be given 8 weeks to pay for any tax years prior to 05/04/2017.
Thankyou.
Regards.
 

Hi! I'm trying to get in touch with the Future pension helpline and I can't get through to them. I'm getting a recorded message that they will accept voluntary contributions for any gaps from 2006 onwards after 05-Apr-2023 as well. Is that correct? Please confirm.

Hi Niv,

I can confirm that the deadline to make a payment of voluntary National Insurance contributions has been extended to 31 July 2023. Please see the statement below which provides important information.

If you are calling to make a payment of voluntary National Insurance contributions, please be aware that the 5 April deadline to pay voluntary contributions has been extended to 31st July. You can pay any time before the deadline. You may want to call back when lines are less busy. We advise you not to leave it until just before the deadline.
Before you pay, you should first obtain a State Pension Forecast to check if making a payment will make a difference to your State Pension. You can find more information online. Go to Gov.uk and search for State Pension Forecast.  If you’ve already made a payment, this could take up to 8 weeks to allocate to your National Insurance record, which you can view on your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC App.

Thank you.
 

Good evening, I am resident outside of the UK (in the EU), and I am currently awaiting a response to a request to pay voluntary NI contributions. I posted the form to HMRC last summer. Since then I have called a few times to inquire about the expected completion date. HMRC confirmed they they had received my request, and each time gave me gradually increasing waiting times for applications. In February I was told that the waiting times had increased to 24 weeks, and that the team dealing with the applications had reached applications received on 1st September 2022. However when I called earlier this month I was told by the HMRC agent that the waiting time he was being told by the system he was looking at was 66 weeks, and that the team was on the day I called dealing with forms received on the 21st of November 2021! Can someone please tell me what the actual current waiting time is for applications like mine and (overseas) forms from which date are currently being dealt with? Thanks you, 

Few months back I made an application for the Level 2 voluntary contribution to the gap in my state pension, but I haven't heard the outcome of my application. For the past two weeks, I have been trying to contact the Future Pension Centre at 0800 731 0175, but I cannot get through. What should I do? Thanks!

Hi I am struggling if I should pay NI voluntary contributions as I am living/ working aboard. I am 50 years old now and I am afraid in case I pass away before age of 67 then I cannot benefit from the pension. Heard that my spouse should be able to get a lump sum of my pension, is it right? How much portion will she get? Thank you.

Hi Richard C.

I have checked the timescales for the EU work queue and they are currently working on post received on 14 September 2022.
Your application may be held in the International Caseworker queue and they are currently working on post received 9 August 2022.
I am unable to provide an exact timescale at present I can only provide what post dates the areas are working on.

Thank you.