Brits could get hundreds more in state pension if they act before HMRC deadline

People are being warned that the door for potentially significant state pension boosts closes on April 5, 2025. Until then, HMRC is urging Brits to use special online tools to top up their earnings before it’s too late.

Currently, Brits can use HMRC tools to check their National Insurance records and pay voluntary contributions to fill up any gaps that would have prevented them from getting the full new state pension amount. These contributions can plug holes where you may not have qualified for National Insurance payments or credits between April 6, 2006 and April 5, 2018.

After the April deadline, the rules will revert to the usual ones, allowing people to top up only the last six tax years. This means if you have a gap in your record prior to 2018, you have barely five months to fill it with voluntary contributions before you lose the opportunity to do so.

This could result in you getting lower state pension rates. If you have between 10 and 35 qualifying years on your record, you’ll only get a partial sum of the new state pension rate, and 35 or more to get the full new state pension sum. In a worst-case scenario, if you only have 3 qualifying years of National Insurance payments, you won’t be able to meet the 10-year requirement and could be left receiving no state pension.

As HMRC urges people to check their state pension forecast and national insurance record, data from the tax authority has revealed that more than 10,000 payments worth £12.5 million have already been made through their digital service since April. It also showed most customers top up just one year of National Insurance credits with an average payment sum of £1,193.

In return, many people have been able to increase the amount they receive weekly from the state pension, with one person now reportedly getting an additional £107.44 per week. Emma Reynolds, Minister for Pensions, said: "We want pensioners of today and tomorrow to enjoy the dignity and support they deserve in retirement.

“That’s why I urge everyone to check if they could benefit by filling gaps before the deadline passes. Using our online tool means only a few clicks could make a huge difference to your future."