Filling historic gaps in National Insurance (NI) records comes to an end on 5 April 2023

The ability to fill historic gaps in National Insurance (NI) records to top up your state pension will come to an end on 5 April 2023

Under normal NI top up rules it is only possible to fill gaps in your NI record for up to six years. This would mean that the year ended 5 April 2017 would be the earliest year that could be filled currently. However,  for a limited period (until 5 April 2023) it is possible to go back further and fill gaps for any year from 2006/07  onwards. This is an extra 10 years. This only applies to people who reach, or will reach state pension age after 5 April 2016. After 5 April 2023, the time frame will revert to six years.

Topping up is not the right answer for everyone, and people should always check with DWP (and their financial adviser, if they have one) before taking any action.

However, for some people it could be the best rate of return they could get on any spare capital. Missing out could cost some individuals thousands of pounds.

If you are thinking of topping up your state pension for these earlier years, you must check with the Future Pension Centre at DWP before making such contributions. This is because there are some situations in which paying historic contributions would not boost your state pension. This could be particularly true for those who are short of a full state pension because of extensive periods of ‘contracting out’.

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