66nextmonth

I had the same problem as most users on this forum - 5 extra years paid for in January 2025 and record not updated, though I had written to specify the years paid for (sent by courier). I am eligible to claim my pension next month, so was getting a bit desperate. Amazingly, I did call the helpline (from abroad) and have now got my record updated, so wanted to share some tips that might help other forum users. If the 'bot'/voice recognition software freaks you out, another (calmer) person can initiate the call - they will be asked if they are calling for themselves - say 'no' and then 'some other person' at the prompts. You can then take over when you are put on hold for an agent. I had to wait 38 minutes on hold (we were told average time to wait was 50 minutes) If you are calling from abroad, ask to be put through to the overseas department: only the (wonderful) agent in this department was prepared to help me: the first agent I spoke to denied that the record could be updated via a call to the helpline, though I cited the advice given to users on this forum and a friend who had got her record updated this way. The helpful agent could not update my record during the call, but promised to do it the same day. He also took my phone no. in case he had any further questions. Two days later my record is up to date. Finally, if you are paying for current/future years by direct debit and have made a one-off payment for extra years, make sure that your direct debits are not disrupted - this happened to me twice, despite writing in advance to HMRC to ask them not to do this.