Had to renew mine in March of this year. Statute states you can renew no earlier than 3 months before expiration date. Went online Jan 1 (was also told it must be the same calendar year) and paid and received my PIN. I then re-qualified and instructor submitted paperwork. On the week it was set to expire, I went down to the ASP and asked what the hold-up was, and whether they could perform the background check while I was present since it was going to expire and it was their fault. I was told that they don't do that, I should've filed earlier, and that it takes a minimum of 120 days to renew. I finally received mine just over a month later.
So, you can only renew 90 days in advance, but it takes them 120. They are actively forcing your permit to expire. This is criminal, and needs to be addressed.