Urgent deadline approaches for those looking to maximise their retirement income
By Finance Correspondent | 4 April 2025
More than 120,000 people have taken action to fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records to boost their state pension entitlement, according to new figures released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Since the launch of a digital service in April 2024, these individuals have collectively topped up over 260,000 years-worth of missing NI contributions, helping them secure a higher state pension in retirement.
The news comes as a crucial deadline looms, with just days left for eligible people to make top-up payments covering missed years dating back as far as April 2006.
Thousands of people boosting their state pension
The figures highlight the growing awareness among retirees and workers about the importance of filling gaps in their NI record to secure a better pension.
- The average voluntary top-up payment made so far stands at £1,893.
- Some pensioners have seen their weekly state pension increase by as much as £119.31.
- More than half (57%) of the years topped up have been from 2017 onwards.
For many, these voluntary NI contributions represent a worthwhile investment, with the potential to receive thousands of pounds more in pension payments over their lifetime.
Final deadline: April 5 – what you need to know
The final deadline to make voluntary NI contributions covering tax years from April 6, 2006, to April 5, 2017, is April 5, 2025.
From April 6, 2025, people will only be able to backdate voluntary contributions for the previous six tax years, in line with the normal time limits.
This means that those who fail to act before the deadline could miss out on the opportunity to increase their state pension—potentially losing thousands of pounds in retirement income.
What to do if you haven’t acted yet
People are encouraged to check their National Insurance record and see if they have gaps that could be filled with voluntary contributions.
To check eligibility and state pension forecasts, visit the official government website at:
🔗 gov.uk/check-state-pension
If you find missing years in your NI record, you may be able to boost your pension by making a voluntary contribution before the deadline.
Helpline overload: What if you can’t get through?
With thousands of people rushing to make payments before the April 5 deadline, government helplines have been experiencing high demand.
To address this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced a callback request form, allowing people to secure their place in the system even if they cannot get through to an advisor immediately.
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A Government spokesperson reassured the public that:
“Our new online tool will mean that people are able to make top-up payments after the April 5 deadline, provided they complete the callback request form ahead of that date.”
This system ensures that no one misses out, even if they are struggling to get through on the phone lines.
A valuable opportunity for pension savers
Financial experts stress that filling NI gaps can be a highly cost-effective way to increase retirement income.
For example, a single year of voluntary NI contributions—which currently costs around £824 for most people—can add up to £303 per year to their state pension. Over 20 years of retirement, this could amount to more than £6,000 in extra payments, making it a valuable long-term investment.
As the deadline approaches, those with missing NI years should act quickly to check their records, explore their options, and make voluntary contributions where necessary.
With thousands already securing their financial future, this final opportunity to fill past gaps could prove crucial for those planning their retirement income.
