If you are looking to maximise your State Pension, there is an important deadline to keep in mind. April 2025, now just 6 months away, is the cut-off date for those wishing to top up gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record between 2006 and 2018.
Topping up your NI contributions can increase your weekly pension payments if you have not yet reached the full amount. The full new State Pension is currently £221.20 per week (2024/25), but to get this, you need 35 qualifying years of NI contributions.
If you have incomplete years due to breaks in employment, self-employment, or time spent caring for others, you may be able to voluntarily pay contributions to cover the shortfall. Each extra qualifying year can boost your income by 1/35th of the full State Pension.
To check your eligibility, use the government’s State Pension forecast service online, which helps identify any shortfall in contributions. If you are eligible, you can make voluntary contributions through Class 2 or 3 National Insurance contributions.
Be sure to act before the deadline, as missing it could mean lower pension payments for the rest of your retirement. For many, this provides a final opportunity to secure a more comfortable future adding to your secure income in retirement.
The information contained within this article is based on our understanding of legislation, whether proposed or in force, at the time of writing and does not constitute advice. This may be subject to change.