Key Post UK State Pension - Make voluntary contributions to qualify for UK pension on top of Irish pension
- Thread starter DannyBoyD
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I'm in the exact same situation. I remember ringing them and they said there was so many letters being delivered to that office they reckon it was impossible for Royal Mail to get them all signed for. You can imagine the difficulties of trying to get what could have been thousands of letters to the same building updated and signed for delivey. You could give them a call and they might be able to update you but you could probably assume that it didnt go missing plus if you have your registered post receipt you'll have a decent argument if theres a problem. I also registered online for a call back, got a call a good few weeks later to check my information and was told a specialist would call me back to go through the case but no time frame was given. I think they're completely swamped but I get the impression they are willing to be flexible with deadlines etc as they are so far behind. Hoping so anyway.
Slightly concerned because the letter I received with a payment slip says “Thank you for applying to pay for voluntary Class 3 Contributions. For the period 09/04/2006 to -5/04/2025 the amount due is £1,328.95”
Because the separate letter I received with a statement of each year of what would be owed since 2006 to 2025 shows only Class 2 payments for each year, except for 2006-2007 which is split between partial Class 2 and partial Class 3.
Also, adding up the annual amounts on that statement = £3,401.65. The one amount marked Class 3 on the statement is only £317.
If I deduct the years that are not due at the end of 31 days from the date of the letter (everything after 2019) , the total would be £2,389.70
So I have no idea where the £1,328.95 number on the first letter comes from.
I will try ringing them, but has anyone experienced similar? (My wife’s letters have the same issues).
Dr Strangelove
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I made two payments of £810 in late March. I wrote HMRC a letter and asked for them to be credited to 2015/16 and 2016/17. Instead they were credited to 21/22 and 22/23.
Has anyone else had this experience? Should I just write them another letter?
Has anyone else had this experience? Should I just write them another letter?
If you can stand the wait ( stick the kettle on, get your knitting) I'd ring at this point. They've a lot of paper piling up.
Rang and learned some things about how they allocate certain years.
Perhaps this has been covered already, but if not...
If you pay from a UK account, you are supposed to send separate payments for Class 2 and Class 3 amounts, using different reference numbers specific to those classes.
If you pay from an Irish (overseas) account, you can pay all in one payment, with one overseas reference number. The system is set up to automatically allocate to 1) the last six years, and 2) any Class 3 amounts owed. This may explain why people were seeing the oldest and most recent years only being allocated. My wife and I both had our 2006-2007 counted as partially Class 3.
They will figure out eventually the rest is for any other Class 2 payments outside of the last six years. But it would help to write to them or call them.
The rep put a note in on our records that we intend to pay 2006-2025 inclusive, including Class 2 and 3, so that when a human reviews it they'll know where it all goes.
Also, the "bill" we received in a separate letter shouldn't have been sent. The amount reflects 2019-2024, plus any Class 3. But we were told to ignore it and use the statement letter with annual amounts we can pay as the true numbers.
Perhaps this has been covered already, but if not...
If you pay from a UK account, you are supposed to send separate payments for Class 2 and Class 3 amounts, using different reference numbers specific to those classes.
If you pay from an Irish (overseas) account, you can pay all in one payment, with one overseas reference number. The system is set up to automatically allocate to 1) the last six years, and 2) any Class 3 amounts owed. This may explain why people were seeing the oldest and most recent years only being allocated. My wife and I both had our 2006-2007 counted as partially Class 3.
They will figure out eventually the rest is for any other Class 2 payments outside of the last six years. But it would help to write to them or call them.
The rep put a note in on our records that we intend to pay 2006-2025 inclusive, including Class 2 and 3, so that when a human reviews it they'll know where it all goes.
Also, the "bill" we received in a separate letter shouldn't have been sent. The amount reflects 2019-2024, plus any Class 3. But we were told to ignore it and use the statement letter with annual amounts we can pay as the true numbers.
Cheers for that information. Got one of them 2nd letters this morning and was confused about it, as it was for far less then the detailed statement I received last week and paid for through Revolut.
But it matches exactly what you said. ( Last 6 year's plus any class 3)
Paid last Tuesday, so was going to leave until later this week to ring and confirm they have the payment. Can I ask what number you rang please
Rang this afternoon to confirm they received last week's bank transfer, which they said they had.
Rep said it could take up to a year before it shows on my online Government Gateway, which is grand for me now that I have confirmation the money was received.
Rep said it could take up to a year before it shows on my online Government Gateway, which is grand for me now that I have confirmation the money was received.
Hi all,
I’d really appreciate advice or insight from anyone who’s been through a similar situation.
I worked in the UK for around 1 year and 4 months in the early 1990s. I’ve recently applied to HMRC to make voluntary NI contributions to fill in gaps in my record — aiming to qualify for the UK State Pension via Class 3 contributions.
I:
Worked full time in the UK from May 1990 to August 1991
Have 5 qualifying years on my NI record (2 paid, 3 credited)
Have lived in Ireland ever since, where I’ve had periods of employment and self-employment
Have had some gaps in my PRSI contribution history (especially in the early years), but a strong record in later years
Submitted the CF83 form and my PRSI contribution record
Received a letter from HMRC saying I don’t meet the UK residence condition, but that residence and work in an EEA country can count
Was told the application is still pending, but it could take months due to backlog
My main concern:
Because of some inconsistencies in my work history in Ireland, will that affect my eligibility for Class 3 contributions? Has anyone with a non-continuous PRSI record still been approved?
I would be perfectly happy to pay Class 3 if I’m eligible — it’s still a good deal to increase my pension entitlement. Just want to know if patchy work history in Ireland has affected others.
Would really appreciate any personal experiences or tips. Thanks in advance!
I’d really appreciate advice or insight from anyone who’s been through a similar situation.
I worked in the UK for around 1 year and 4 months in the early 1990s. I’ve recently applied to HMRC to make voluntary NI contributions to fill in gaps in my record — aiming to qualify for the UK State Pension via Class 3 contributions.
I:
Worked full time in the UK from May 1990 to August 1991
Have 5 qualifying years on my NI record (2 paid, 3 credited)
Have lived in Ireland ever since, where I’ve had periods of employment and self-employment
Have had some gaps in my PRSI contribution history (especially in the early years), but a strong record in later years
Submitted the CF83 form and my PRSI contribution record
Received a letter from HMRC saying I don’t meet the UK residence condition, but that residence and work in an EEA country can count
Was told the application is still pending, but it could take months due to backlog
My main concern:
Because of some inconsistencies in my work history in Ireland, will that affect my eligibility for Class 3 contributions? Has anyone with a non-continuous PRSI record still been approved?
I would be perfectly happy to pay Class 3 if I’m eligible — it’s still a good deal to increase my pension entitlement. Just want to know if patchy work history in Ireland has affected others.
Would really appreciate any personal experiences or tips. Thanks in advance!
Obairchrua
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I would imagine that this may only affect your eligibility to pay the lower class 2 rate and not class 3 but I'd say your biggest hurdle is that you don't have 3 years 'paid' contributions as called out as a requirement. However, I think some other contributors on here have cleared that one.
Best of luck with it.
UnpaidUtility
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How do I know how much to transfer this time if I still haven't received this year's letter yet? Is there somewhere online that I can see this? HMRC told me I wouldn't have to wait for a letter and that it is possible to pay my voluntary NIC's online after April 6th each year but I'm not seeing the option to do so:
Last time I sent the payment from my Wise GBP account so I still have the HMRC NIC receipts bank account details and I know what to enter for the transaction Reference. I could just use Wise again although I may explore the possibility of sending the payment from Revolut this time if at all possible as I'm trying to simplify my personal finances and reduce the number of different accounts that I use.
Last edited:
UnpaidUtility
Registered User
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@PoundMan
If it is any use, it is St£179.40 for Class 2
Thanks @Giggs11 could I go ahead and send the payment now even though 2024 to 2025 says my record is not available yet?
Yes
LovelyIrishAlan
New Member
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Hey everyone! First post here looking for advice.
Irish national, 34yo, currently living and working full time in Spain.
Worked full time in the UK from July 2017 - May 2022. National Insurance Record since then is below. Also have £13k in a private pension from this time that work contributed to.
Currently 100% debt-free and earning well here in Spain, paying into a private pension here (Without additional employer contributions) and starting to seriously save to build up a deposit to buy a house/flat. A promotion and wage increase will likely come at beginning of next year also. Zero intention of returning to the UK/Ireland so unlikely to ever be working there again.
Current UK State Pension forecast for 2058 is £12,014.12 a year based on National Insurance record up to 5 April 202 and assumes contributions for another 30 years.
Was informed by a family member about the Voluntary National Insurance Payments scheme and signed up prior to the deadline. Weeks/months went by and finally got a call where all they did was ask for confirmation of my NI number and said to wait for another call. It's been weeks/months since that call now again.
Through sites like this, I've only just learned of the CF83 Form and from my understanding, I seem to qualify for Class 2 payments. Can I still send this form? I did submit my application before the deadline and as mentioned above, got a call back, but all they did was confirm my NI number, radio silence since. I'm in no rush whatsoever given my age but want to know what I can/should do next. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks a million
2024 to 2025 - Your record for this year is not available yet
2023 to 2024 - Year is not full (Cost to fill gap: £907.40)
2022 to 2023 - Year is not full (Cost to fill gap: £337.25)
2021 to 2022 - Full year
2020 to 2021 - Full year
2019 to 2020 - Full year
2018 to 2019 - Full year
2017 to 2018 - Full year
Irish national, 34yo, currently living and working full time in Spain.
Worked full time in the UK from July 2017 - May 2022. National Insurance Record since then is below. Also have £13k in a private pension from this time that work contributed to.
Currently 100% debt-free and earning well here in Spain, paying into a private pension here (Without additional employer contributions) and starting to seriously save to build up a deposit to buy a house/flat. A promotion and wage increase will likely come at beginning of next year also. Zero intention of returning to the UK/Ireland so unlikely to ever be working there again.
Current UK State Pension forecast for 2058 is £12,014.12 a year based on National Insurance record up to 5 April 202 and assumes contributions for another 30 years.
Was informed by a family member about the Voluntary National Insurance Payments scheme and signed up prior to the deadline. Weeks/months went by and finally got a call where all they did was ask for confirmation of my NI number and said to wait for another call. It's been weeks/months since that call now again.
Through sites like this, I've only just learned of the CF83 Form and from my understanding, I seem to qualify for Class 2 payments. Can I still send this form? I did submit my application before the deadline and as mentioned above, got a call back, but all they did was confirm my NI number, radio silence since. I'm in no rush whatsoever given my age but want to know what I can/should do next. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks a million
2024 to 2025 - Your record for this year is not available yet
2023 to 2024 - Year is not full (Cost to fill gap: £907.40)
2022 to 2023 - Year is not full (Cost to fill gap: £337.25)
2021 to 2022 - Full year
2020 to 2021 - Full year
2019 to 2020 - Full year
2018 to 2019 - Full year
2017 to 2018 - Full year
Did you complete the CF83?
If not, what do you mean by "submit my application"?
In any event the deadline is irrelevant to you.
Apply to make voluntary NI contributions and do it now.
Whilst its unlikely they'll kick anyone off the scheme, it wouldn't be beyond the bounds to stop new joiners.
LovelyIrishAlan
New Member
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Hey @DannyBoyD I've not completed the CF83 form. Tbh, I just learned about the form yesterday.
By application I mean I requested a call back to pay voluntary national insurance contributions via the DWP.gov site (The deadline had not passed at this time) I thought the first call I received was the fated callback but all that involved was confirming my NI Number and the agent said they'd call me again in the future.
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