UK Government Gateway

Banking & Financial Tax & Social charges
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I haven’t logged into the UK government gateway site for over 3 years, and I just wanted to check my state pension forecast. I had to go through a whole new sign up process, which allowed a foreign mobile (text message received without problems), but they require two forms of ID. The passport isn’t an issue, but I don’t have a photo UK driver’s license. The third option was credit checks (I do have a UK bank account and credit card), but before I could even get there, it asked for an address and only accepts a UK postcode/address… There seems to be no other way to proceed.

Has anyone else come up against this? I noticed they do have a contact form for international users, so I’ve reached out to them, but thought I’d see if anyone had a solution in the shorter term?

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Have you tried to use the UK gov one login first and go into gov gateway via that? A while back I was alerted to this potential problem so make sure I sign in to gov gateway at least once a year.

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3

I had recorded my old UK goverment logon that I hadn’t used for donkeys years and it still, surprisingly, worked. What I also found with HMRC, for example, was that although the address I have recorded in their system is, of course, my French one since I’ve been here for years, my previous UK postcode still seemed to work. Odd…

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Hi JaneJones, thanks for the reply. I did initially go to gov.uk and from there, selected pension forecast to log in, as I’ve never logged in or had need to access the government website for any other reason.
If I had known I would have logged in before now, but I suspect they would have requested new forms of identity checks regardless of requesting an ID/password update.

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AngelaR : Thanks for replying. The problem with using an old UK address for myself, is firstly I’m not sure which one they have on record as I’d moved around a little bit before coming to France; I only resided for a few months in the last couple of places I was staying at. I’d also be worried they’d think I was resident in the UK, or that I’m using an address that’s now under somebody else’s name.

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I can well understand that @Gareth2022 and I prefer to have everything above board as well. I only used the UK postcaode as a desperate measure when HMRC had been sitting on thousands of pounds worth of tax deducted from a UK pension for over a year and which they should have returned. I have everything crossed that I don’t have to do that again!

Please do report back on the progress of your conact form query - it will be very useful to other people.

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Yes I had this problem recently when trying to nominate a new tax representative for my Mum, who had a GG ID but it had not been sued for years so HMRC kindly expired it!

She does not have a passport or driving licence as she is 100, nor has she taken out any credit.

I have no idea why they can’t accept other forms of ID such as a utility bill, or a National Insurance number.

We solved her problem by filling out an old-fashioned paper form!

You might be able to verify yourself by phoning them., IIRC that was an option.

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You’ll have to give a UK postcode to get through their phone system though. Not, I think, that they check it as they just seem to want a code of the right format.

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@AngelaR : Totally understand, must have been a frustrating time! Glad you resolved it. I’ll update the thread when I find out how (or how not) to do it.
Do you have to provide a post code to call them these days? Last time I rang was around 2019, and it was straightforward. Surely they know not everyone lives in the UK!

@ChrisMann : All these new checks do make life more complicated, especially if it’s a system that has zero wriggle room. During the sign up, they do ask for the national ID (still have the original card safe), but they require two additional forms of ID. I’ve reached out by email (10 working days to reply), and then once I’ve heard from them, I’ll probably call them too, as I want to switch my class 2 payments to class 3 early, so I don’t get screwed by the up coming changes after April.

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Sorry - I answered that before you asked it! Yes you do and it has to be a UK one. SIgh…

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There is a phone number for internationals calling about their pension, different from their usual number for UK residents, so I imagine they wouldn’t ask for a UK postcode if you phone the right number.

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Definitely worth doing then! I’ve rung DWP’s international section before and they were (generally) very helpful. HMRC themselves were most definitely not! Fingers crossed for you…

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@AngelaR - I also had a positive experience speaking to them in 2019, with the exception of one woman who sounded like every phone call was a personal inconvenience; very cold tone!

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@Gareth2022 sounds a bit similar to my experience. The last time I rang them was about 2022 when we got PACSed (because of the Covid risks) andthe lady couldn’t be more helpful. However, the first time I rang was just after Brexit when we fled the UK on a permanent basis so I wanted an S1. The chap I spoke to must have been a keen Brexit supporter because he all but threatened me about never being able to return as an S1 was a one-way street and that it was the end of NHS cover for me in the UK etc etc etc. Fortunately for me I didn’t believe him!

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@AngelaR There’s always one jobsworth in every sector, it’s just unfortunate when you cross their path. Best to keep calm and relaxed, as the trolls feed off negative responses! I’m sure everyone has their stories, I can think of a few, and the total lack of unprofessionalism, coupled with a complete lack knowledge as to what the rules and regulations are (you’d think staff would be better informed than Joe public!)

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16

I’ve had exactly the same problem after a Gateway expired. Running aground on being asked for an ID that I don’t have/can’t provide/doesn’t exist.

I think I solved the problem by writing+snail mail.

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17

You’re looking for your uk pension rights. You’ll find they actually have a record of every employer and every contribution you have paid in the uk. Mine went back to 1972 and my first job. I was amazed because generally the DWP and HMRC are impossible and calling them involves a 45 minute wait

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18

I’d like to log in just to see what contributions I have, and confirm how long I have left.

I did hear back from my email, but just to say because I’m not of pensionable age, they can’t respond, but instead gave me an address and email of the international department (I don’t think that was available via the website), so I’ve emailed them, and will have to wait patiently again for a response. I’ll probably call them at the end of this month, as they ask you to wait 10 working days each time.

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I found this the quickest way

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20

Funny, I just got a reply from my email dated two days ago. I’ll share it here as it could be useful for others…. What I found interesting is that the email states you either have to have lived for 10 years in the UK OR contributed NI for 10 years. I’m pretty sure the website didn’t make that explicit at the time, and gave the impression you might have to qualify for both min of 10 years + 10 years contributions.

The email also seems to suggest I have to apply via the CF83 form. As I’m already up-to-date and paying via direct debit, I really wanted to just upgrade to paying class 3 now to avoid reapplying as a ‘new’ applicant.
—————————————————————

For all queries regarding the digital service, please raise them through the “Get help with this page” which will be at the bottom of each page within the digital service.

You can also contact the digital service helpdesk on 0300 200 3600 (+44 161 930 8445 if calling from abroad) and an agent can assist you further regarding this matter.

Your National Insurance (NI) record is held and maintained by HM Revenue & Customs. If you have any queries with regards to your National Insurance record or would like the costs and payment methods for making voluntary National Insurance payments, you will need to contact them at:

PT Operations North East England

HM Revenue and Customs

BX9 1AS

United Kingdom

Telephone: 0300 200 3500 (+44 191 203 7010)

They do not have an email address that the public can use.

Payment method

His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are the department who would take the payments of voluntary National Insurance contributions, and they would assess which Class of National Insurance can be paid and what the cost would be. They can also check on the progress of any payments made to them.

NI38

If you are, have been, or plan to live overseas, HMRC will need you to complete an application form. On the website www.gov.uk, search for “NI38” which will result in the link “Social Security Abroad: NI38”. By clicking on this link, it will provide you with guidance about paying voluntary NI contributions abroad. You will also find a link to “Apply to pay voluntary NI contributions for period spent abroad (CF83)” which will give you further information and how to apply either online or via the post.

From 6 April 2026, customers cannot pay voluntary Class 2 NICs for periods abroad.

From 2026 to 2027 onwards, voluntary contributions for years abroad will only be eligible at Class 3.

To pay Class 3 NICs for time abroad, customers must have either:

• lived in the UK for 10 consecutive years or

• paid at least 10 years of NI contributions whilst in the UK

Applications must still be made using the HMRC application form CF83.

After submitting your application form, you will receive a response from HMRC regarding the outcome. Any further queries surrounding this process must be directed to HMRC.

Yours sincerely

Correspondence Officer

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