Published: 06/03/2025 By Hannah Duncan
As financial advisers, we always emphasise the importance of securing a stable retirement income; one key aspect of this is ensuring you have enough qualifying years of National Insurance (NI) contributions to maximise your State Pension.To receive the full State Pension, you need 35 qualifying years of NI contributions. If you have at least 10 years, you’ll be entitled to a partial State Pension, but anything less than that means you won’t receive any State Pension at all.
If you have gaps in your NI record, topping up your contributions could significantly increase the amount you receive in retirement. Normally, you can only make voluntary NI contributions for the past 6 tax years. However, under the current relaxed rules, you have the opportunity to purchase missing NI years dating back as far as 2006/07. This special provision was originally set to end in April this year but has previously been extended twice.
Anyone can check their NI record, its free to do so and once logged in you are able to see a state pension forecast which will help you to decide whether any gaps need filing. We have given details and examples on how to do this in our blog here.
Key update on the deadline
From 6th April, the usual 6 year limit on backdating contributions will return. However, in a major development, the government has confirmed that the deadline for these top-ups will now be flexible if you have attempted to make changes prior to the deadline.
If you intend to make voluntary NI contributions for years before 2018 but are unable to complete the process by 5th April 2025, you can still secure the opportunity to make contributions by logging an enquiry with the DWP. This will allow you to make the payments later, even after the cut-off date and it will not be classed as though you have missed the deadline.
Given the previous surge in last-minute enquiries, many people struggled to get through to the DWP due to long call wait times. To address this, the government has introduced an online call-back request form that allows individuals to register their interest in making voluntary contributions.
Ensure you make an enquiry prior to the 5th April 2025 deadline to be able to top-up your missing NI years, you will then be contacted in order to make the necessary payments.
Why this matters for your pension
Every additional qualifying year you purchase could add around £330 per year to your State Pension. Over a typical retirement, this could amount to thousands of pounds in additional income, making this an excellent opportunity for those who have gaps in their NI record.
How to Take Action
1. Check your NI Record – Review your record on the government website to see if you have any gaps.
2. Contact DWP – Submit an enquiry by 5th April 2025, either via phone or the online call-back request form.
3. Keep proof of your request – If you submit a request online, take a screenshot of the confirmation message for your records.
4. Make payments at a later date – Once your enquiry is logged, you will be able to make voluntary NI contributions beyond the April deadline.
The government has assured that anyone who submits a request before the deadline will still be able to make voluntary NI contributions dating back to April 2006.
If you’re considering topping up your contributions, now is the time to act. Don’t leave your retirement income to chance, take steps today to maximise your future financial security. Uncertain whether this is the right decision for you, seek financial advice to ensure it aligns with your broader retirement planning strategy.