Thousands of pensioners have been given just hours to take action or face losing out on hundreds of pounds every year.
Today is the last day that Britons can use their national insurance payments to increase their state pension payment.
In order to acquire the new state pension, recipients must have 35 years of national insurance under their belt – increasing their monthly payment by £221.20.
This figure works out to approximately £11,500 each year.
Some could miss out on up to £11,500 each year
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Under usual circumstances, eligible recipients would only be able to receive payment from the previous six tax years.
But today the Government has extended the ability for pensioners to boost their payment since 2006 – which could, in turn, see their bank accounts burst with thousands of more pounds.
As it stands, any gaps remaining on individual forms can be completed to increase the amount received.
Those with certifiable gaps on their national insurance record might include self-employed workers, those who have taken a career break or worked abroad.
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It is possible for recipients to top up their payment – even if they have already gone ahead and started to claim the benefit.
Head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown Helen Morrissey said: “If you qualified for benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance or Child Benefit, you may be able to backdate a claim.
“These benefits come with NI credits, so you could fill the gaps for free.”
The first port of call to determine individuals’ eligibility is to check with HMRC.
Other ways that recipients can hike up their state pension is by postponing the date that they start receiving the benefit
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Other ways that recipients can hike up their state pension is by postponing the date that they start receiving the benefit.
Individuals can increase their pension by one percent for every nine weeks that they put off making the claim.
Equally, some can gain national insurance credits – which completes the online form automatically – for those who are claiming child benefit for anyone under the age of 12.
The benefit will also be an option for grandparents who take care of children if the parents hand over the credits to them.
