The deadline for National Insurance top ups is 5th April this year. If you are aged 73 and under and think you have gaps in your National Insurance history for the period 6th April 2006 to 5th April 2018 then you should check with HMRC. There are a number of ways to do this, which are outlined below.
Topping up any missed years will boost your state pension amount for retirement. To qualify for the full new state pension amount, most people will need 35 full years of National Insurance contributions.
For an employed person, buying one full year’s National Insurance contributions for the period 2006 – 2018 will cost £824 but this will secure a much higher amount of state pension over the long term. For each year of contributions this will entitle you to £328 a year in state pension, meaning that the top up will pay for itself in less than 3 years.
Top ups for partially complete years of National Insurance contributions can be much lower than £824.
Please note that if you are already in receipt of the maximum state pension, currently £221.20 per week, then you won’t need to take any action as this is the most you can receive.
Checking Your National Insurance Record
If you’re below state pension age, check your State Pension Forecast at the following link to find out if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions. https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension
Or you can phone the HRMC Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175
If you’ve reached state pension age, contact the Pension Service to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions. https://www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service
Paying Voluntary National Insurance Contributions
Phone using the Future Pension Centre number above. Waiting times are expected to be long, so you can request a call back. If you submit a call back request by the 5th April 2025 deadline, you will still be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions after the deadline has passed.
To request a call back complete the below form:
https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/request-a-call-back-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/contact-form
