DWP state pension deadline confirmed as HMRC gears up for final rush

Nicholas Dawson
·2-min read
A woman checks her bills
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


Those considering topping up their National Insurance (NI) contributions to boost their state pension may want to act swiftly before a looming deadline. Currently, you can pay voluntary NI contributions for an extended period, going as far back as the 2006/2007 tax year, rather than up to the standard six years ago.

The deadline for this extended top-up period has been previously extended to allow people more time, with the final date now set for the end of this tax year, in April 2025. Given the previous rush of individuals trying to submit their applications before the last deadline, Labour MP Graeme Downie questioned in Parliament whether the Chancellor had considered the "adequacy" of the April 2025 deadline, which is now only five months away.

In response, Treasury minister, James Murray, stated that new measures have been implemented since the deadline was extended, providing more ways for people to pay their contributions. He elaborated: "Since the deadline extension to support customers, the online Check your State Pension forecast was enhanced and launched on 29 April 2024.

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"New functionality enables the majority of working age customers to view their payable gaps and make payments online." He also mentioned that the National Insurance helpline is still on hand for those unable to pay online or requiring "additional assistance".

Addressing the potential for a last-minute rush of people topping up, he noted: "Previous deadlines have resulted in significant telephony demand. HMRC is putting in place measures to manage the expected demand in the run-up to the 5 April 2025 deadline, including managing the deployment of resources, the use of interactive voice response messaging and directing customers to the digital service."

To secure the full basic state pension, which presently stands at £169.50 a week, you generally need 30 years worth of NI contributions. In order to get the full amount of the new state pension, currently at £221.20 a week, you usually need 35 years of contributions.

You can check for any gaps in your National Insurance using the tool available on the Government's website. The gov.uk website has another tool to find out how much state pension you are on track to receive.

Presently, the state pension age sits at 66 for men and women, with a gradual increase to 67 scheduled between 2026 and 2028. A further rise from 67 to 68 is on the cards, currently set to take place between 2044 and 2046.

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