Taxpayers now have until April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006, giving them a chance to increase their State Pension.
The government has extended the deadline for taxpayers to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions until 5 April 2025, giving them more time to consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them. It allows them to spread the cost and could boost their State Pension entitlements.
This includes self-employed people who did not pay contributions because of small profits as well as those with low earnings, those who were unemployed but not claiming benefits and those living or working outside of the UK.
The original deadline was extended to 31 July 2023 earlier this year; tens of thousands of people have paid voluntary contributions to HMRC since then. The revised deadline is expected to enable tens of thousands more to do the same.
"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. With the deadline extended, there is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost." Victoria Atkins, financial secretary to the Treasury.
All relevant voluntary National Insurance contributions payments will be accepted at the rates applicable in 2022 to 2023 until 5 April 2025. Before starting the process, eligible individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards should check whether they would benefit from filling those gaps.
The government is advising taxpayers to check their National Insurance record and get a State Pension forecast. There is information on making a National Insurance payment on the government website.
Written by Rachel Miller.