State Pension Top-Up Deadline: What You Need to Know
The State Pension is a crucial part of retirement income for millions of people in the UK. However, if you have gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record, you might not receive the full amount when you retire.
Right now, there is a limited-time opportunity to top up missing NI contributions dating back to April 2006—but the deadline to do this is 5 April 2025. After this date, you will only be able to fill gaps going back six years, meaning older gaps will be lost permanently.
Why This Matters
Your State Pension entitlement is based on the number of qualifying years of NI contributions you have.
- To receive the full new State Pension, you need 35 years of contributions.
- To receive the full basic State Pension, you need 30 years of contributions.
- If you have fewer than 10 years of NI contributions, you may not qualify for any State Pension at all.
Even if you have some missing years, topping them up now could increase your pension for life.
How to Check Your NI Record
To find out if you have gaps in your NI contributions, follow these steps:
- Check your NI record online – You can do this here.
- Find out if you can make voluntary contributions – If you have missing years, you may be able to fill these gaps by making voluntary NI contributions.
- Decide if topping up is right for you – In some cases, paying voluntary contributions could significantly boost your pension income in retirement.
How Much Could You Gain?
Each additional qualifying year of NI contributions could increase your State Pension by up to £302 per year for life. For those with several missing years, the benefits of topping up could be substantial.
Important Reminder: You Must Take Action Yourself
As accountants, we can provide guidance on your retirement planning, but we are unable to access your NI record or make contributions on your behalf.
To take advantage of this top-up opportunity before the deadline, we recommend:
- Visiting the government’s website to check your NI record.
- Contacting HMRC for guidance on voluntary contributions if you have gaps.
- Speaking with a financial adviser if you need help understanding how this fits into your retirement planning.
Final Deadline: 5 April 2025
After this date, the ability to top up missing contributions from before April 2018 will be lost. If you’re considering a top-up, act now to avoid missing out.
For more information, visit the GOV.uk website here, or contact us directly.
