24 Mar 2025
People should check their National Insurance contributions (NICs) record to see if they can boost their state pension entitlement before 5 April 2025, warns the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).
For a limited time, certain people are able to make voluntary contributions to cover any gaps in their NICs record dating back as far as the 2006/07 tax year, potentially boosting entitlement to the new state pension.
This applies to people who have already retired and are claiming the new state pension, as well as those who have not yet reached state pension age.
However, the extended window to make voluntary contributions for years from 2006/07 to 2018/19 will end on 5 April 2025, following which the window will revert to the usual six tax years.
Antonia Stokes, LITRG Interim Senior Manager, said: 'If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, it can potentially make a big difference to the amount of state pension you receive now or in the future.
'The deadline to make voluntary contributions dating back to 2006/07 will end in a few weeks' time, so it is time to act if you want to take advantage of this.
'The easiest way to find out if you have a gap in your National Insurance record and how much it might cost to plug it, is to check your online tax account on GOV.UK or contact the DWP.'