NI state pension top-up deadline is extended

The government has extended the voluntary National Insurance deadline to July 31 this year.

The three-month extension will give taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and help increase the amount they receive in state pension.

The government says thousands of people with incomplete years in their record could be financially better off in their retirement if they make voluntary payments to top up any incomplete or missing years.

The extension came after members of the public voiced concern over the previous deadline of April 5. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is now urging taxpayers to ensure they do not miss out.

Anyone with gaps in their NI record from April 2006 onwards now has more time to decide whether to fill the gaps to boost their new state pension. Any payments made will be at the lower 2022 to 2023 tax year rates.

As part of transitional arrangements to the new state pension, taxpayers have been able to make voluntary contributions to any incomplete years in their NI record between April 2006 and April 2016, to help increase the amount they receive when they retire.

The government said it has extended the deadline to ensure that people have time to make their contributions.

Victoria Atkins, the financial secretary to the Treasury, said: “We’ve listened to concerned members of the public and have acted.

“We recognise how important state pensions are for retired individuals, which is why we are giving people more time to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record to help bolster their entitlement.”

Eligible taxpayers can find out how to check their National Insurance record, obtain a State Pension forecast, decide if making a voluntary National Insurance contribution is worthwhile for them and their pension, and how to make a payment on GOV.UK.

Taxpayers can check their National Insurance record, through the HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account.

It is important that people look carefully at their situation and their options. Many taxpayers will have sufficient NI to qualify for a full state pension without the need to pay more.

Under the new system, which was introduced in April 2016, you typically need a 35-year NI contribution record to qualify for the full amount of state pension.

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