DWP’s £60000 Pension Windfall : State pensioners in the UK have been given an urgent one-month deadline to fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record before April 5, 2025. By taking action now, individuals can increase their state pension by up to £60,000 over their retirement period.
HMRC is urging people to review and top up their NI contributions as a significant rule change is set to take effect from April 6, 2025. Currently, pensioners can backdate contributions as far as April 6, 2006, but after this deadline, they will only be able to backdate NI payments for six years.
Table of Contents
Why This Deadline Matters for Your State Pension
- Key Deadline: April 5, 2025
- Current Backdating Limit: NI contributions can be backdated to April 6, 2006
- Post-April 6, 2025: Only six years of backdated contributions allowed
- Potential Pension Increase: Up to £60,000 over retirement
Since HMRC launched its online NI checking tool in April 2023, over 37,000 people have used it, leading to 68,000 extra years of NI contributions a total of £35 million in pension top-ups.
How Much Can You Gain?
✔ Average top-up payment: £1,835
✔ Largest recorded weekly pension increase: £113.76 per week
✔ Total lifetime pension boost: Up to £60,000 for eligible individuals
According to Rosie Hooper, a chartered financial planner at Quilter Cheviot, individuals in their late 40s, 50s, and 60s should prioritize checking their NI records to ensure they don’t miss out on a significant pension increase.
How to Check and Top Up Your NI Record
- Check your State Pension forecast using the GOV.UK portal
- Review your NI contributions on the HMRC website to identify any gaps
- Make voluntary contributions if needed to fill missing years
- Use the HMRC app for quick access to your State Pension forecast
Important: If you are not currently paying National Insurance, you may still be eligible for NI credits, which could help increase your pension entitlement.
Don’t Miss Out – Act Now
With only a few months left before the deadline, state pensioners and those nearing retirement must urgently check their NI records. Missing this opportunity could mean losing out on thousands of pounds in future pension payments.
Visit GOV.UK today, check your eligibility, and secure your retirement income before April 5, 2025
