Ben C

I moved from the UK twenty years ago and have lived abroad ever since. My NI record says that I had 9 full years NI contributions before 2006, and 18 years of NI gaps since then that I can choose to pay voluntary contributions. However it says I cannot pay online and must contact the Future Pension Centre. But then I also read about submitting an online form CF-83 "Apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions when abroad". I have 3 questions I am seeking clarification on please: 1. What should be my first step - call the Future Pension Centre (which seems notoriously difficult to get through) or can I just proceed straight to submitting form CF83? Are they alternatives, or are both required? If both, which to do first? 2. I understand the deadline for "buying back" all these previous years is 5th April 2025. But what exactly is the necessary action to have been taken by that date? Is it... - Calling the FPC? Receiving a response from the FPC? - Submitting form CF83? Receiving a response from that? - Finalizing it all and actually making payment? 3. Finally, I live abroad and mail is slow. Will I be able to receive responses electronically by email through my Government Gateway account? Or if not, can I give a mailing address at my mother's house in the UK so that I can access the response more quickly (but without affecting my residence status abroad? Thank you for any help and advice.