DWP puts millions of state pensioners 'on alert' and says 'check if it's you'
The Department for Work and Pensions has put state pensioners "on alert" over whether they can boost their rate. The DWP is urging state pensioners to check whether there is any prospect of them boosting their state pensions via National Insurance contributions.
In a new post on social media platform X, the DWP wrote: “Do you know how much state pension you’ll get? You may be able to get more by making Voluntary National Insurance Contributions. Check if this applies to you via the free HMRC app.”
You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. The deadline is 5 April each year. For example, you have until 5 April 2030 to make up for gaps for the tax year 2023 to 2024. If you want to make voluntary contributions for the tax years 2016 to 2017 or 2017 to 2018, the deadline has been extended. You have until 5 April 2025 to pay.
READ MORE: Aldi brings in £3 change for parents and issues shoppers five-word warning
READ MORE: Michael McIntyre addresses Sam Thompson and Zara split as they appear in bed together on BBC show
READ MORE All the parts of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland facing 13-inch snow
You can sometimes pay for gaps from more than 6 years ago, depending on your age. To claim any State Pension, you usually need at least 10 qualifying years on your NICs record. Some people may have gaps in their record if they have not received NI credits or have not paid any, or sufficient, NI in some years, such as through employment or self-employment.
Qualifying years may differ where your NI record started before 6 April 2016. The government extended the voluntary NIC deadline to 5 April 2025. This gives taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their records to maximise their future State Pension benefits.
Where there are gaps in your NI record, voluntary NICs can be paid to obtain a higher State Pension entitlement or entitlement to other state benefits. Typically, this might affect you if you are aged between 45 and 60 years and so close to the State Pension age and do not have enough qualifying years and know you will not be able to get the qualifying years needed during your remaining working life.