HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) customers have only a few weeks left to fill any gaps in their financial record that could affect their retirement fund. State Pension payments are typically calculated based on the number of ‘qualifying years’ an individual has.
This refers to the number of years a person has paid National Insurance throughout their life before retirement. To receive the full New State Pension of £221.20 per week, people need approximately 35 years of National Insurance contributions.
However, it is crucial to remember that this can vary depending on an individual’s unique circumstances. Typically, individuals can only make voluntary contributions for the past six tax years.
However, this only lasts every tax year before the qualifying dates are pushed forward which means those who want to potentially boost their state pension only have until April 5. Furthermore, an extended deadline to makeup for the 2017 to 2018 tax year, which was previously extended, will also run out this April.
Men born after April 6, 1951 and women born after April 6, 1953 are eligible to make voluntary NI contributions to boost their New State Pension. How to check your National Insurance record You can verify your National Insurance record online using a Government Gateway ID.
You will also need to provide proof of identity, such as a photo ID like a passport or driving licence. If you live abroad, you can request your National Insurance record by post using a PDU1 certificate. Full details are available here.
It’s important to note that voluntary contributions may not always increase your State Pension. This is often the case if you were contracted out, with further details available here.
If you’re living or working overseas and are either over or within six months of reaching State Pension age, then official guidance recommends contacting the International Pension Centre (IPC) for additional advice. There are several ways to contact the IPC, including online, by phone, or by post.
You can contact the IPC via email using the online enquiry form. At the time of writing, official guidance suggests that responses to online enquiries may take longer than usual.
For questions related to the State Pension, you can contact the IPC using the following phone numbers:
- +44 (0) 191 218 7777.
- +44 (0) 191 218 7280.
Alternatively, you can write to the IPC at the following postal address:
The Pension Service 11, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LW, United Kingdom.
