The UK Government has said it will continue to consider contributions made by people to top-up their State Pensions, even after a looming deadline passes next month. It said that phone lines have been busy as people have taken action to plug gaps in their National Insurance contributions.
Under arrangements lasting until April 5 2023, people can buy missing years going back to 2006 in contributions which would count towards their State Pension - after that, they can only go back six tax years. But on Wednesday, the UK Government said that if anyone is unable to pay voluntary contributions by the deadline date for reasons ‘beyond their control’, it will consider payments made after the cut-off.
However, it still expects people to make every effort to complete payments for voluntary National Insurance contributions by April 5. But it will take an understanding approach and consider whether to accept payments received after the deadline on a case-by-case basis, depending on individual circumstances.
