Ability To Backdate State Pension Top Ups to 2006 Ceases
Published / Last Updated on 07/03/2023
From 6th April 2023, you will only be able pay voluntary contributions for gaps in your national insurance record going back up to 6 years but there is something in place until April 2023 that allows you to go back further.
You can currently pay for gaps from more than 6 years ago, depending on your age but this is stopping on 5th April 2023.
**07/03/23 UPDATE: Government has extended the deadline from 5th April 2023 until 31 July 2023.**
We warned you about this in August 2002 with a much more in depth video and article:
See: State Pension Top Up
If you’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953: You have until 5 April 2023 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between tax years April 2006 and April 2017 if you're eligible. After 5 April 2023 you’ll only be able to pay for voluntary contributions for the past 6 years.
Just one qualifying year of NI at the standard rate of £824.20 adds up to £275 per year, or 1/35th of the full rate of the state pension. The means the break-even point of paying £824.24 and getting £275 pa is three years when your state pension starts getting paid. With inflation rises e.g., 10.1% in April 2023, the break-even point is even shorter.
- If you have postponed your state pension after you reach state pension age, you can still top up any shortfall.
- If you are an overseas expat, you can still top up your state pension, even if you get no inflation increases where you live as there is no reciprocal social security treaty, it is still excellent value for money.
Next Steps
Contact Pensions Agency at Department for Work & Pensions:
- UK Residents - Future Pension Centre 0800 731 0175
- Non-UK Residents - International Pension Centre +44 (0) 191 218 7777
- Log in to your Personal Tax Account to check your state pension and national insurance credits history. Do you have gaps? Will you get to 35 years anyway?
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