HMRC Admin 19 Response

Hi Caro1961 O'Brien,

We are sorry you have been unable to speak to an advisor at HMRC. Our lines are extremely busy at this time. 

If you would like to pay voluntary contributions to increase your state pension you can find more information here:
Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

For UK residents, the first thing you will need to do is to contact DWP.  The reason we require you to contact DWP is because they will be able to advise you what years it is best for you to pay, and if you will benefit from paying them.  Although these contributions are voluntary they cannot be refunded if paid incorrectly, therefore you should ensure that you will benefit from making the payment. 

If you are below pension age you should contact future pension centre on 0800 731 0175
If you are over pension age you should contact the pension service on 0800 731 7898

DWP phone lines are open between 8am and 6pm.

Once you have this information you have 2 options:

1.  You can contact HMRC to obtain an 18 digit reference number. You can then use this number to pay online, at your bank, or via online banking. The contact number for HMRC is 0300 2003500, lines are open between 8am and 6pm.
2. You can write to us, and include a cheque for the amount DWP have advised you can be paid. You should include your National Insurance number and the years you would like to pay on the reverse of the cheque and include a covering letter.  

The address to write to is:
HM Revenue and Customs
National Insurance Contributions and Employer Office
BX9 1AN

HMRC will accept your original date of contact, and the date the payment is received will be honoured, however it may take up to 8 weeks for your National Insurance record to be updated.

For customers who reside overseas you will need to read the booklet NI38, and complete the CF83, making sure you tick the option that you would like to know what arrears you can pay. We will accept the date your CF83 is received by HMRC as your date of contact.  For overseas customer it can take longer for your payments to show on your National Insurance account.

If you require a receipt for any payment made, you must ask for this.

Thank you.