Zarah ChoudharyPeople wanting to maximise their State Pension by plugging gaps in their National Insurance record have contributed to a total of 68,673 years, worth £35m, using the online service since April last year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.
Analysis showed that more than 37,000 online payments have been made through the service.
65% of the years topped up by customers were from 2017 onwards.
The average online top-up payment was £1,835 and the largest weekly State Pension increase was £113.76.
HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reminded customers that they only have two months up until 5th April to check their National Insurance record and fill any gaps from 6th April 2006 onwards.
From 6th April 2025, people will only be able to make voluntary National Insurance contributions for the previous six tax years, in line with normal time limits.
Angela MacDonald, second permanent secretary and deputy chief executive at HMRC, said: “There are just 2 months left to check and fill any gaps in your National Insurance record from 2006 onwards to boost your State Pension entitlement.
“Don’t delay – it is quick and easy to check your National Insurance record on GOV.UK and it could help your finances in retirement.”
Since the launch of the enhanced digital service in April last year, more than 4.3 million people have used it to check their State Pension forecast.
The end-to-end service means customers can also use it to check and view gaps in their National Insurance record, calculate the difference any payment will make to their State Pension and then make one payment for however many years they need to top up.
