Just Six Months Left To Top Up State Pension back to 2006

Anyone with an incomplete National Insurance record between 2006 and 2016 has until April 5, 2025, to top up their National Insurance (NI) payments to get the maximum state pension. Ordinarily, voluntary NI top-ups can be made for up to six years to complete an NI record.

However, the Government has widened this period for a short time. Data from HMRC shows that more than 10,000 top-up payments worth £12.5m have been made through the digital service set up by HMRC since April this year.

Who is eligible to top up their NI record?

If a man is born after April 6, 1951, or a woman is born after April 6, 1953, they are eligible to make these voluntary contributions. This can be done online, and more information is available on Gov.uk.

Most customers who used the online service topped up one year of their NI record, according to HMRC, with the average payment being £1,193. But some people are not eligible to top up.

You cannot pay voluntary contributions if you:

• Do not have gaps in your National Insurance record – unless you’re getting Class 3 credits and are eligible to pay Class 2 contributions.
• Are a married woman or widow paying  reduced rate National Insurance.
• Have passed the deadline for paying contributions for the period that has gaps.

Source: Gov.uk

Topping up may make sense for anyone who reaches state pension age after 2016 if they have less than 10 full years of NI contributions, as that will mean they have no entitlement to the state pension. To get a full state pension – currently £221.20 per week – you need 35 years’ worth of full NI contributions. The amount was 30 years prior to 2016.

Why do people have gaps in their NI record?

There are several reasons why someone may not have a full NI record. For example, they may have taken time out of work to raise their children. Or they may have been unemployed, self-employed, on a low income or even working abroad and not paying UK NI.

However, topping up NI isn’t right for everyone. If you are still working, you may be able to complete your full record with the years you have left in employment. You may also qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) or National Insurance Credits, which replaced HRP after 2010. These provide compensation for the years you are out of work without the need to pay extra NI.

You should check that any NI credits you might be entitled to have been applied before you spend money on topping up.

We can help you meet your obligations

A gap in your NI record might be a worry, but you must check you have every credit you’re entitled to before you spend money topping up. If you’re not sure, please ask us for advice and we will do what we can to help.