Retirement means different things to different people but most will be relying on their State Pension to fund, or at least part-fund, their latter years. However, if you have gaps in your national insurance record, then you may not be entitled to the full pension amount. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has extended the deadline for those who need to fill gaps in their record. Here's how to check your details and what you need to do next.
Taking to social media to spread the word, DWP says that if you’re a man born after April 5, 1951, or a woman born after April 5, 1953, there has been an extension to the deadline for filling gaps in you National Insurance record if needed. The government department then went on to explain how to check your personal amounts and what you need to do to fill the gaps if appropriate.
According to the announcement, you have until July 31, 2023, to fill any gaps in your record between April 2006 to 2007 and April 2016 to 2017 tax years. After July 31, 2023, you will only be able to pay voluntary contributions on the last six tax years.
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However, if you check your record and discover that there are gaps, do not instantly panic. DWP wrote: "There may be gaps that you do not need to fill because either you have already reached your maximum state pension amount or you are on track to if you keep working or receiving National Insurance credits".
It advised that if you have not reached your State pension age, the quickest way to find information about your state pension and National Insurance record is to go online.
You can get a personalised state pension forecast from the online 'Check your State Pension' forecast service. If your forecast says that you can improve your state pension, consider whether you can fill any gaps another way before paying for them. If you continue to work and pay National Insurance, future years will normally get filled automatically.
If you do have gaps, you will be able to see the tax years with gaps, how much you need to pay and when you need to pay by, to make a gap year into a full year. Remember, you may not need to fill every gap shown to get your maximum state pension.
What to do next
First check you State Pension forecast at www.gov.uk/check-state-pension
Use this service to find out:
- how much State Pension you could get
- when you can get it
- how to increase it, if you can
Be aware that you cannot use this service if you’re already getting your State Pension or if you’ve delayed (‘deferred’) claiming it. If you are eligible to use the service, you’ll need to prove your identity using Government Gateway. You’ll be able to register for Government Gateway if you have not used it before.
Applying online is the quickest way to get a forecast. If you’ll reach your State Pension age in more than 30 days you can also:
- fill in the BR19 application form and send it by post
- call the Future Pension Centre who will post the forecast to you
If you’re already getting your State Pension or have delayed claiming it you can get information from the Pension Service if you’re in the UK or the International Pension Centre if you live abroad.
You have until 31 July 2023 to find out and take action, but when you have been online, if you think you need to pay to fill any gaps between April 2006 to 2007 and Aril 2016 to 2017 tax years, call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175.
If you are over state pension age, call you pension centre on 0800 731 0469.
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