As the deadline to maximise State Pension approaches, individuals have six months to fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record, dating back to 2006. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed that over 10,000 payments, totalling £12.5 million, have already been made through the government’s new online service, which launched in April 2024.
The government is urging people to check their NI record and make voluntary contributions before 5 April 2025 to boost their State Pension. The online tool on GOV.UK allows users to check for any gaps, calculate if making voluntary contributions will increase their pension, and make payments directly.
Emma Reynolds, the Minister for Pensions, said, “We want pensioners of today and tomorrow to enjoy the dignity and support they deserve in retirement. That’s why I urge everyone to check if they could benefit by filling gaps before the deadline passes. Using our online tool means only a few clicks could make a huge difference to your future.”
As of now, over 3.7 million people have accessed the online service to check their State Pension forecast. The tool allows users to see their potential retirement income and identify any years with insufficient NI contributions. Those who find gaps can make voluntary payments to increase their pension. The average contribution made so far is £1,193, with some individuals seeing a boost of up to £107.44 a week in their State Pension.
The deadline extension was introduced to give people more time to fill gaps for the years between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. After the deadline, individuals will only be able to pay for the past six tax years.
Both HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are encouraging people to act quickly. HMRC’s digital service is designed to be user-friendly, enabling people to check and manage their NI records easily, including through the HMRC app. However, those already receiving their State Pension or self-employed customers living abroad will need to manage their contributions through different means, as the online service is not available to them.
There’s also a warning for people to stay vigilant against scams. HMRC advises customers never to share their login details with anyone and provides guidance on spotting phishing attempts on their website.
Individuals interested in paying voluntary contributions are encouraged to first check if they are eligible for National Insurance credits, which might cover gaps in their record. Men born after 6 April 1951 and women born after 6 April 1953 are eligible to make these voluntary payments to boost their pensions.
The government’s extended deadline of 5 April 2025 is a key opportunity for those approaching retirement to enhance their State Pension, and the government is strongly urging people to act now to avoid missing out.