The UK government has extended the deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions from 5th April 2023 to 31st July 2023 to give taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension.
The deadline relates to those people who have yet to reach state pension age and who have gaps in their contribution records for past years. It is possible for those who have only recently reached state pension age to fill gaps in their contributions record. They should enquire by telephoning the International Pensions Centre on 0011 44 191 218 7777.
The extension to the deadline is due to an overwhelming deluge of enquiries from members of the public wanting to make voluntary contributions or to enquire about their contributions record. The DWP were unable to cope with the volume of enquiries and have had to extend the deadline to avoid thousands missing out.
The deadline extension was announced via a Written Ministerial Statement yesterday (7th March 2023) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging taxpayers to ensure they do not miss out.
Anyone with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards now has more time to decide whether to fill the gaps to boost their new State Pension. Any payments made will be at the lower 2022 to 2023 tax year rates.
Here is a link to the statement.
Taxpayers given more time for voluntary National Insurance contributions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)