Are you worried about missing out on your full State Pension? If you have gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record between 2006 and 2018, now is the time to act. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the deadline to pay voluntary contributions for this period is 5 April 2025.
After this date, you may lose the chance to increase your future pension, potentially costing you thousands over your retirement. In this guide, we explain why checking your NI record is important, how to fix any gaps, and how to request a call back from DWP if you’re struggling to pay online or by phone.
Why Your National Insurance Record Matters
Your State Pension is calculated based on your National Insurance contributions. To receive the full new State Pension, you typically need 35 qualifying years of NI contributions. If you have less than 10 years, you may not qualify for any pension at all.
Reasons for gaps in your NI record include:
- Career breaks
- Time spent abroad
- Periods of low income or unemployment
- Self-employment with insufficient profits
- Caring responsibilities
If you fall short, you can pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps — and it could significantly increase your pension income in retirement.
Deadline: 5 April 2025
Normally, you can only backdate contributions for the last six years, but until 5 April 2025, the DWP is allowing people to fill in gaps going all the way back to 2006. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity could be the key to unlocking a higher pension.
After this date:
- You will no longer be able to pay for missing years between 2006 and 2018
- Your pension amount could be permanently lower
- The window to boost your entitlement will be gone
How to Check Your NI Record
It’s quick and easy to check for gaps in your NI record online. Just follow these steps:
- Visit the official HMRC website and sign in to your personal tax account
- Navigate to “Your National Insurance Record”
- Review each year to see if it shows as “full” or if there are “gaps”
- Watch the DWP’s YouTube video guide to help you through the process
Watch the NI record video guide here
If you find any incomplete or missing years, you may be eligible to pay voluntary contributions for those periods — especially if they fall between 2006 and 2018.
How to Pay Voluntary NI Contributions
If you need help or can’t get through on the phone, you can request a call back from the DWP:
- Fill out the official form to request a callback before 5 April 2025
- A member of the NI team will contact you directly to explain the next steps
- If your request is submitted before the deadline, you’ll still be allowed to make payment after 5 April
Important: If you’ve already requested a call back, do not send another request. Duplicate requests may delay your response.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you don’t act by 5 April 2025:
- You won’t be able to pay for gaps from 2006 to 2018
- Your State Pension could be lower for life
- You could miss out on thousands in future income
Checking your record and paying now could add hundreds of pounds per year to your pension — a small investment today for a stronger retirement tomorrow.
This is a limited-time opportunity to boost your retirement income. If you have any gaps in your National Insurance record between 2006 and 2018, you have until 5 April 2025 to fix them. After that, the chance is gone.
Make time to check your record, request a call back if needed, and secure the full pension you’ve worked for. Don’t delay — your future income depends on it.
FAQ’s
Why is the 5 April 2025 deadline important for pensioners?
It’s the last chance to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for gaps between 2006 and 2018. After this date, those years may no longer count toward your State Pension.
How can I check if I have gaps in my NI record?
Log in to your HMRC personal tax account and check your National Insurance record year by year to see if there are any missing or incomplete years.
Can I still pay voluntary contributions after 5 April 2025?
Only if you submitted a request for a callback before the deadline. Otherwise, you can only pay for gaps from the last 6 tax years.
How do I request a callback from DWP?
Complete the official callback request form available on GOV.UK. A DWP team member will contact you to help you pay your voluntary contributions.
What happens if I don’t fill my NI gaps?
You may receive a reduced State Pension, or in some cases, no pension at all if you don’t meet the minimum number of qualifying years.
