uk national insurance voluntary contributions

[chang50]

Hi,In recent times I have started making voluntary class 3 contributions to boost my UK old age pension which is due next year.I made 2 payments 1 in 2019 another in 2020 which showed up as paid on my personal tax account inside a month.However my 3rd payment made by bank transfer on Jan 4th 2021 is not showing as paid over 5 weeks later.A message to the International pension centre which might be the be the right place admittedly to inquire on Feb. 2nd is still unanswered.I suspect the delay might be covid related but as quite a large sum is involved at least for me I would like some peace of mind all is in order.I once tried to phone them in 2019 and I was kept on hold till my credit ran out so was hoping not to have to do that again.Short of writing a letter which will be very slow is there any way I can find out what is happening?Thanks..

[Kwasaki]

As below just had a reply myself took over a month, I guess messages get pushed around dept to dept and there in a mess because of covid..

Don't know for sure if IPC would be dealing with NI contributions I doubt it.

I would still try to get through to IPC if I were you I have phoned them many times always around 5 pm Thailand time and got through OK.

 

From: TVP International Queries <[email protected]>
Sent: 13 January 2021 12:56
To: PENSION SERVICE NPC WFPC Newcastle <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: IPC online contact - Kwasaki.

[bolt]

are you able to view your current records online?

 

heres my NI record and current forecast 

 

FYI i made a Class 3 payment for 2018-19 3 days ago, i think it wil show up in 10-14 days 

[chang50]

7 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

As below just had a reply myself took over a month, I guess messages get pushed around dept to dept and there in a mess because of covid..

Don't know for sure if IPC would be dealing with NI contributions I doubt it.

I would still try to get through to IPC if I were you I have phoned them many times always around 5 pm Thailand time and got through OK.

 

From: TVP International Queries <[email protected]>
Sent: 13 January 2021 12:56
To: PENSION SERVICE NPC WFPC Newcastle <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: IPC online contact - Kwasaki.

Thanks..

[chang50]

2 minutes ago, bolt said:

are you able to view your current records online?

 

heres my NI record and current forecast 

 

FYI i made a Class 3 payment for 2018-19 3 days ago, i think it wil show up in 10-14 days 

Yes thanks I have but the relevant year is showing 'year is not full' 38 days after payment was sent.

[bolt]

18 minutes ago, chang50 said:

Yes thanks I have but the relevant year is showing 'year is not full' 38 days after payment was sent.

contact them (again) with proof of your payment and transfer, I know it normally takes awhile to update on line.

good luck

[chang50]

2 hours ago, bolt said:

contact them (again) with proof of your payment and transfer, I know it normally takes awhile to update on line.

good luck

Thanks I will.

[Guderian]

Voluntary payments of Class 3 NI contributions are handled by the relevant department at HMRC, nothing to do with the DWP. I recall when I set it up 5 years ago that they were by far the slowest link in the chain, and almost seemed to try and stop you from getting any useful information. I set up payments by monthly direct debit, and so far that seems to have gone smoothly. I'd suggest you contact the people in HMRC who set up the payments for you.

[Andyfez]

Very similar.

I made a contribution beginning of January.

I called them and they said due to covid, they suggest I recheck my account end of March.

[sammieuk1]

I got the only bit of luck in over a year when I got stranded in the UK and signed on U/C was two years short in NI now only one and looks like another 6mts at least????

[chang50]

2 hours ago, Andyfez said:

Very similar.

I made a contribution beginning of January.

I called them and they said due to covid, they suggest I recheck my account end of March.

Thanks for the info.I suspected that was the reason.Just suppose something had gone wrong with the payment it would be months later before you would know.Very poor service.

[chang50]

8 hours ago, Guderian said:

Voluntary payments of Class 3 NI contributions are handled by the relevant department at HMRC, nothing to do with the DWP. I recall when I set it up 5 years ago that they were by far the slowest link in the chain, and almost seemed to try and stop you from getting any useful information. I set up payments by monthly direct debit, and so far that seems to have gone smoothly. I'd suggest you contact the people in HMRC who set up the payments for you.

I might do that thanks..the service is poor by any standard.