DWP and HMRC warn people to 'act now' to increase their State Pension before deadline
The Government is encouraging people to check their National Insurance record to see if they can boost their State Pension - here's how
by Sonia Sharma · ChronicleLivePeople have six months left to increase their State Pension payments, the Government has warned.
Officials have explained that members of the public have until April 5, 2025, to maximise their State Pension by making voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps in their NI record between April 6, 2006, and April 5, 2018. HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are urging people to 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. 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.
Further analysis shows that the majority of customers (51%) topped up one year of their NI record and the average online payment was £1,193. The largest weekly State Pension increase was £107.44.
After the April 5, 2025, deadline, people will only be able to make voluntary contributions for the previous six 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.
Emma Reynolds, 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."
People 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.
HMRC says 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. More information can be found here.
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