Thousands of individuals have been granted an extension to enhance their state pension after the Government revealed a significant change regarding the national insurance (NI) gap-filling deadline. A newly introduced rule allows those who are having difficulty reaching the Government’s call centers, which are overwhelmed with inquiries, to request a callback. This means they can still make necessary payments even after the April 5 deadline.
Currently, individuals have the opportunity to fill gaps in their NI record that date back to the financial year 2006/07, far exceeding the typical six-year limit. Originally, this special concession was set to expire in April 2023. However, due to exceptional demand, it has been extended twice—first to July 2023 and then again to April 2025. This latest extension comes in response to the ongoing pressure on phone lines, prompting ministers to implement a new system to ensure that no one misses out on this essential benefit.
Understanding the New System
In an effort to alleviate the stress of long wait times, individuals can now submit an online “call me back” request via the Future Pension Centre for those under the state pension age of 66, or through the Pension Service for those already receiving their pension. As long as this request is made before the deadline, individuals will still have the opportunity to make voluntary NI payments even after April 5.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that it will return calls within an eight-week timeframe. The DWP noted, “This will enable individuals to request a callback regarding paying voluntary national insurance contributions to fill gaps in state pension entitlement from 2006 to 2018.” They further clarified, “DWP will call back to discuss how to pay voluntary national insurance contributions. This will typically occur within eight weeks of submitting a request, and there is no need for individuals to reach out again to DWP or HMRC.” Those who submit a request to the DWP by the April 5, 2025 deadline will still be able to pay voluntary NI contributions retroactively to April 6, 2006, even after the cutoff date has passed. A confirmation message will appear on the screen once a request has been submitted, and it is advisable to save a screenshot of this message for future reference.
The Importance of This Change
For many, addressing NI gaps can lead to a more substantial state pension during retirement. However, deciding whether to make a top-up payment, and which years to target, can be complex. The costs associated with filling these gaps vary based on historical contributions, and not all missing years will necessarily increase a person’s pension.
Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister and current partner at LCP, expressed his approval of the new measures. He commented, “Considering the confusion that surrounded previous deadlines, it’s reassuring that the Government has taken proactive steps to ensure people do not miss out simply because they are unable to get through on official phonelines to discuss state pension top-ups.” He further noted, “For many individuals, a state pension top-up will provide excellent value. However, having the opportunity to discuss options with someone who can review your NI record and highlight which years would be worth topping up is invaluable.” While it would be preferable for individuals to be able to call directly before the deadline, at least now there is confidence that those who attempt to make contact prior to the deadline will still have the ability to make payments afterwards.
How to Check Your State Pension Forecast
The fastest and most straightforward way for individuals to check their state pension forecast and determine if they can benefit from filling NI gaps is by accessing their NI record on GOV.UK or through the HMRC app.
