Quote Originally Posted by Rock_Flock_of_Five View Post
I love this board, that's just the advice I was looking for!
I was feeling a little uncomfortable about making a further lump-sum payment without any acknowledgement that they had received my first payment.
I was logging into my Government Gateway account almost every day in the hope it would be updated and show the payment.

I'm going to do exactly what you suggested concerning their voice automated process.

Cheers for that!
I found out that tip the hard way. These voice-activated answering systems are a pain and HMRCs is the worst.
Shouting into the phone "I just want to talk to someone" makes it sound like you have rung the Samaritans!
BTW...your 16 digit reference for voluntary NICs (presuming you paid NICs by BACS) can be reused year after year as it is unique to you. All this for an extra £4 or £5 a week on getting a state pension. But it is for life.