More than 10,000 payments worth £12.5 million have been made
through the new digital service to boost people's State Pension
since it launched in April 2024, HM Revenue and Customs
(HMRC) has revealed.
People have until 5 April 2025 to maximise their State Pension by
making voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any
gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018.
HMRC and Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP) are encouraging
people to act now and use the Check your State Pension
forecast tool on GOV.UK to see if they can increase their
retirement income.
The service enables people to check if they have gaps in their
National Insurance (NI) record, calculate if making a payment
would increase their State Pension, and then make a payment if
they wish to do so.
Further analysis of the use of the online service shows:
- the majority of customers (51%) topped up one year of their
NI record
- the average online payment is £1,193
- the largest weekly State Pension increase is £107.44
After the 5 April 2025 deadline, people will only be able to make
voluntary contributions for the previous 6 tax years, in line
with normal time limits.
Since its launch in April, 3.7 million people have used the
online checking tool on GOV.UK to view their State Pension
forecast.
, Minister for Pensions, said:
We want pensioners of today and tomorrow to enjoy the dignity and
support they deserve in retirement. That's why I urge everyone to
check if they could benefit by filling gaps before the deadline
passes. Using our online tool means only a few clicks could make
a huge difference to your future.
Customers can use the Check your State Pension
forecast tool by logging into their online account or via the
free and secure HMRC
app. Those without an online HMRC account can register on
GOV.UK.
HMRC app users can
see their pension details at their fingertips including their
current potential retirement date as well as annual, monthly and
weekly forecasts as well as checking their NI record.
Everyone should be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams
and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone.
HMRC scams advice is
available on GOV.UK.
Further Information
More information on voluntary NI
contributions
Customers should check if they can get National Insurance
credits before they look into paying voluntary contributions
Men born after 6 April 1951 or women born after 6 April 1953 are
eligible to make voluntary National Insurance contributions to
boost their new State Pension.
In 2023, the previous government extended the deadline to pay
voluntary NI contributions to 5 April 2025 for those affected by
new State Pension transitional arrangements. This covers tax
years from 6 April 2006 to 5 April 2018. The extended deadline
means that people now have more time to properly consider whether
paying voluntary contributions is right for them and ensures
no-one need miss out on the possibility of increasing their State
Pension.
Customers can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6
tax years. The deadline is 5 April each year.
The majority of customers of working age will be able to use the
online service, without needing to phone HMRC or DWP, including those
living abroad who want to pay voluntary contributions for years
they were resident in the UK. However, it is not currently
available to those who are already receiving their State Pension,
self-employed customers or customers currently living outside the
UK with gaps incurred while working abroad. They can continue to
manage their NICs as set out on GOV.UK.
