State pension top-up deadline extended to April 2025

A scheme that allows people to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006, potentially boosting their state pension, has been extended again.

The decision to push the deadline to April 2025 allows individuals more time to consider the advantages of making voluntary contributions to their National Insurance.

It ensures that no one needs to miss out on the opportunity to enhance their State Pension entitlements.

Earlier this year, the initial deadline was extended to 31 July 2023. Since then, tens of thousands of people have used this opportunity to make voluntary contributions to the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The newly revised deadline is anticipated to enable tens of thousands more to do the same.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, emphasised the importance of this decision. “People who have worked hard all their lives deserve to receive their State Pension entitlement, and filling gaps in National Insurance records can make a real difference.

There is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost,” she said.

Laura Trott, Minister for Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions, voiced her pleasure at seeing people take proactive steps towards reviewing their State Pension.

She said, “This extension means thousands more people will have time to check their entitlement, and in many cases, increase the amount they receive when they retire.”

The extended deadline will give taxpayers a more extended period to afford to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record.

All relevant voluntary National Insurance contributions payments will be accepted at the rates applicable in the 2022 to 2023 period until 5 April 2025.

This announcement has significant implications for individuals planning for their retirement and those who may have been employed but with low earnings, unemployed without claiming benefits, self-employed without paying contributions due to small profits, or living or working outside of the UK.

However, it’s crucial to note that paying voluntary contributions does not always increase your State Pension.

Before initiating the process, eligible individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards should verify whether they would benefit from filling those gaps.

Comprehensive information about checking National Insurance records, obtaining a State Pension forecast, deciding about making a voluntary National Insurance contribution, and how to make a payment can be found on GOV.UK.

With the newly extended deadline, men born after 5 April 1951 or women born after 5 April 1953 will have more time to check their records and decide whether to pay voluntary contributions to account for any gaps they may have in their National Insurance record from April 2006.