DWP issues warning to state pensioners over major April 5 deadline. (Image: Getty)
The benefits office has urged people to check if they can boost their payment rate before a crucial deadline hits. To receive the “full” – currently worth £221.20 a week – people must have enough “qualifying years” on their National Insurance (NI) records.
People accumulate these through active employment or by receiving NI credits, which are granted during unemployment, illness, or while fulfilling parental or caregiving responsibilities. Typically, people need around 35 NI years to get the full . Those with gaps, which may have occurred when credits weren’t claimed, can increase their by purchasing additional NI years.
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The Department for Work and Pensions is urging people to check their state pension forecasts. (Image: Getty)
However, making this check is becoming increasingly urgent, as the deadline to fill gaps dating back to 2006 is April 5, 2025. After this date, individuals can only make contributions for the previous six tax years, potentially losing thousands of pounds.
In a new post on social media platform X, the Department for Work and Pensions () wrote: “Don’t miss out on your entitlement. The 5 Apr 2025 deadline for paying voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps between 2006 and 2018 is approaching.”
It added: “Find out how to check for gaps in your National Insurance record.”
HM Revenue and Customs () and the offer an to help people calculate if they’ll benefit from making voluntary contributions.
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How to make voluntary National Insurance contributions
If you find missing years and want to fill the gaps, first check if you qualify for free National Insurance (NI) credits. For the complete eligibility criteria to claim National Insurance credits for free, .
If you’re not eligible for that, you can pay to fill the gaps via post or phone.
To pay online, visit the “Check your Forecast” page on or use the app, available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Log in with your Government Gateway ID and password. Once logged in, select the NI years to purchase and see how much your will increase. You can securely pay online via bank transfer or Open Banking – payments must be made in full.
If you prefer to pay by phone, contact to receive an 18-digit reference number. You’ll need this to ensure the payments are added to your record correctly. After receiving the reference, you can pay through your bank, app banking, or by cheque. If paying by cheque, processing may take longer.
Once paid, it may take up to 60 working days to reflect the payment on your NI record. If you’re already claiming the , will inform the to adjust your payments, which will be backdated to the date of payment, not the date you started claiming the .
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