You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past six years in order to get the full State Pension, but there’s currently a deadline extension of April 5 for you to check National Insurance (NI) records and fill in any gaps going back as far as April 2006.
But many people do not realise they have gaps, and by the time they retire, it may be too late to buy those years back.
Taking to X, the Money Saving Expert founder said: “Most lucrative subject this year. 8pm ITV Tue Age under 73? The deadline to buy missed 2006 to 2018 National Insurance years nears (some get em free). It can be worth £10,000s in extra State Pension.”
Most lucrative subject this year. 8pm ITV Tue
Age under 73? The deadline to buy missed 2006 to 2018 National Insurance years nears (some get em free). It can be worth £10,000s in extra State PensionGot Questions 4 me on it 4 @itvMLshow tmrw (or on owt else) suggest em by reply
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) March 3, 2025
How do I buy back National Insurance Years?
Check your record via the UK Government website, and request a form by the April 5 deadline, requesting a call back.
This is a strict deadline. From April 6, people will generally only be able to make voluntary NI contributions for the previous six tax years, in line with normal time limits.
The form has been placed on the gov.uk website, for those who are struggling to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone to pay voluntary NI contributions.
What if I can’t get through?
The Government has now said that those who cannot get through ahead of the deadline can use an online call back request form.
The DWP will then contact the person on the phone number given to discuss payment.
The gov.uk website says: “If you submit a request by the 5 April 2025 deadline, you will still be able to pay voluntary national insurance contributions after the deadline has passed.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Our new online tool will mean that savers will be able to make top-up payments after the April 5 deadline, provided they complete the call back request form ahead of that date.
“This will enable us to ensure no one misses out, and to suitably manage demand as the deadline approaches.
“We also encourage people under state pension age to check whether it is beneficial for them to pay voluntary national insurance contributions by using our online checker.”
The Government said it always prioritises resources to deal with foreseen busy periods and this will include reviewing its resources before the deadline.
Sir Steve Webb, a former Liberal Democrat pensions minister who is now a partner at pension consultants LCP (Lane Clark & Peacock) said: “After the chaos in the run-up to previous deadlines, it is good that the Government has planned ahead to make sure that people do not miss out simply because they cannot get through on official phonelines to discuss state pension top-ups.
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“For many people a state pension top-up will be excellent value.
“But it is useful to be able to discuss your options with someone who can see your NI record and in particular highlight if topping up some years would be of little or no value.
“Whilst it would be better if people could simply call ahead of the deadline and get through, at least there is now the reassurance that those who try to make contact before the deadline will still be able to make payments after the deadline has passed.”
