A walk through the UK Pension application process

I did not need to do anything after the submitted forms.

I went back to the step by step guide and went to Step 5

Step 5 - Apply for Class 2

Fill in form CF83 which can be done online. [ The form can be done online but must be printed and posted]

Once you apply before the deadline, they will honour that & you can make your back payments.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-security-abroad-ni38

I was surprised that I had to print it off. I assumed it was all done online.

I don't think that my friend will qualify. But it's worth applying anyway and see where it goes.
 
Lisgoold said:
why on earth would you just put a random date? Why not the actual one?
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1) I did not understand the question. "when did you start living here?"
2) I assumed it meant Ireland, so I put in the rough date he came back.
3) They said "This is earlier than we have on your record" which made no sense
4) So I tried a later date and it was happy with that.
 
Not sure if it is mentioned here on Askaboutmoney already but in case it helps anybody HMRC have a National Insurance community/support forum here:

https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/ni
 
It's seems clear that you now have to print it off

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I am really struggling too see why they would set up an online application form and then require everyone to print it off and post it. They will be inundated with more paper forms when surely the intention was to reduce this and streamline the process. I don't remember seeing this last week so would be grateful if someone could confirm that they completed the entire process online without printing and posting.
 
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I tried to fill out the online form earlier (CF83) but it booted me out as I was nearing the end of the online form. I was tempted to start it again, but then decided that could turn into a tiresome process so decided to print the form and I'm going to fill it out tonight and post it off tomorrow.
 
The print, sign and post on the online form seems pretty recent.

If you got a response back from your online submission I think you're ok.
 
If you weren't applying to make payments by Direct Debit then you didn't need to post the CF83 form (quoted below in red)

If you were applying to make back-payments you could submit the form online.

Ways to apply​

Apply online​

You need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you apply.

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/submissions/new-form/apply-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-for-periods-living-or-working-abroad (Apply now)

Apply by post​

  1. Get all of your information together before you start. You will fill this form in online and you cannot save your progress.
  2. Fill in form CF83.
  3. Print and post it to HMRC, using the postal address shown on the form.
You must apply by post to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for gaps in the current tax year and then for future payments by Direct Debit.
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DannyBoyD said:
The print, sign and post seems pretty recent.
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That's good to know. I am going to send a letter to accompany my application, but printing off a form that they have already received and acknowledged just seems unnecessary. I will put in the reference number and my NI number obviously. Hopefully this will suffice.
 
The screenshots in this thread are not form CF83, they are an earlier/different step: requesting a National Insurance statement (e.g. post #2)
 
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I believe @Corola is correct and that would account for @Brendan Burgess' mix up.

I've just gone through the online CF83 myself. It's very straightforward to add your information; it's easier if you have all the data to hand. The print, sign and post was definitely required.

Edit to add: I had not logged in with GatewayID.
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So the CF93 has definitely been updated since last week? I don't remember a declaration section in the previous form. Don't want my application delayed so wonder if I should just complete the new form? Perhaps I should try to ring them to get official clarification?
 
Corola said:
The screenshots in this thread are not form CF83, they are an earlier/different step: requesting a National Insurance statement (e.g. post #2)
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Only one is not from the actual process where I took a wrong turn somewhere.

All the rest are from the registration process.

It is only later I went on to the CF 83 form - i.e. Step 5.

It appears now that Steps 1-4 are not necessary. People should start directly with Step 5.
 
I have another update from earlier. I think the form I had used earlier may have been old which is why it kicked me out. I logged into my online account - I was lucky enough to not have to set up a new one as had one since living there. I searched for the CF83 form and filled it out, it allowed me to submit it online and gave me my submission number. It was pretty straightforward. I'm wondering now though if it's all ok as everyone seems to be sending it by post. The above didn't show up for me - all that showed up was to print if I wanted to keep a copy and to press the submit button if I was happy that all the information was correct.
 
I did the same thing and did not need to print.

Note that there is a separate "Apply now" button and "form CF83" link on the website.

The first one I logged in with Government Gateway and filled and submitted online. The second one is also filled online but needs to be printed and posted.
 

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PensionStress said:
print if I wanted to keep a copy and to press the submit button if I was happy that all the information was correct
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Without going back and testing, my educated guess is if you are logged in with Gateway ID & all that fun stuff, the form will be accepted as submitted.

If you haven't done the registration process then its print & post.

Either will do, just get the form in!
 
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