Taxpayers given more time for voluntary National Insurance contributions

Last week the UK government has announced an extension to the voluntary national insurance (NI) deadline, offering taxpayers more time to boost their NI records and increase their state pension entitlements.  

Originally set for 5 April 2023, the new deadline is now 31 July 2023. This extension was prompted by a surge in customer contact experienced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Eligible taxpayers are now able to make voluntary contributions to any incomplete years in their NI record between April 2006 and April 2016. The government has confirmed that all voluntary NICs payments will be accepted at the existing 2022/23 rates until the new deadline. 

Victoria Atkins, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, explained that the government recognises the importance of State Pensions to retired individuals and has acted accordingly to support them. HMRC has also highlighted that thousands of taxpayers could benefit financially in retirement by topping up any incomplete or missing years in their National Insurance record with voluntary payments. 

She said: 

“We’ve listened to concerned members of the public and have acted. We recognise how important State Pensions are for retired individuals, which is why we are giving people more time to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record to help bolster their entitlement.”  

HMRC has said:

‘‘Thousands of taxpayers with incomplete years in their National Insurance record could be financially better off in their retirement if they make voluntary payments to top up any incomplete or missing years.’’ 

Source: HMRC