The new online service that will allow people to more easily check if they can boost their state pension is delayed.
This is Money reports that the new online system should have been in place by the end of the financial year, which is today - but it is now expected to be up and running "soon after" an update to the National Insurance system, which will take place on April 9. At the moment, you have to make two calls to check for gaps in your National Insurance record and then make payments for any top-ups needed.
The process involves calling the Future Pensions Centre or Pensions Service to get advice on whether you need to buy any missing National Insurance contributions, then call HMRC to pay for any missing years. Most people need 35 qualifying years on their National Insurance record to claim the full new state pension, and ten years to receive anything at all.
This means if you have gaps in your record, you may not receive a full new state pension later in life. But some people have struggled to get through and purchase any missing National Insurance years due to busy phone lines ahead of an upcoming deadline.
You can currently buy back missing National Insurance years dating back to 2006 - but after April 5, 2025, you will only be able to go back six tax years. A top-up for a missed qualifying year currently costs £824 and boosts your pre-tax annual state pension entitlement by £302.
Self-employed Brits have just weeks left to submit tax return or risk £100 fineBut not everyone needs to buy National Insurance contributions, which is why it is important to do your research first. Some people will be able to top up their National Insurance record for free through National Insurance credits
A Government spokesperson told This is Money: “A new online service to allow most people to see if making voluntary contributions would increase their state pension, and make payments, will be launched soon. More information will be released in due course.
“Over the last year, hundreds of thousands of people have contacted us about voluntary contributions, with the vast majority of payments resulting in records being updated within days. Complex cases requiring specialist caseworkers can take longer to resolve - but we're making good progress on reducing wait times.”