State pension: Extra time to get £10,000 boost - but Britons warned they should still act NOW
Jeremy Hunt secured the tripe lock at his last budget.
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Millions of people between the age of 45 and 70 are being urged to act fast to receive a £10,000 boost to their state pension, despite hints at an extension to the deadline.
Those missing National Insurance contributions are eligible to fill in gaps as far back as 2006.
But this will only be possible until April 5, after this date it will only be possible to backdate payments by six years.
People who have been unemployed or on low income may have gaps in their national insurance contribution, meaning when they retire they will receive a lower amount than others.
Department for Work and Pensions said it had been inundated with phone calls from people trying to backdate National Insurance payments
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The Government urged people to act fast in order to fill these gaps, which could result in a boost of £10,000.
Households have been given until April 5 to backdate missing payments over the last 17 years.
But those who are unable to make the payments by the deadline have been told their payments will be considered after the date passes. There is no guarantee of a pension boost beyond the deadline, with Britons advised to still make to payments as quickly as possible.
A person is required to have 35 years worth of National Insurance contributions in order to qualify for a full state pension.
Britons could receive as much as a £10,000 boost.
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A Government spokesperson said: “Voluntary national insurance contributions do not always increase your state pension.
“Customers should make sure they would benefit before making any payments, including to fill gaps in their national insurance records between April 6 2006 and April 5 2016.
“The quickest and easiest way for customers to see information about their state pension and national insurance record is online. If customers need to contact us, we will ensure calls are answered as quickly as possible.
“If customers are unable to pay voluntary contributions by April 5 2023 for reasons beyond their control, we will consider payments made after the deadline on a case-by-case basis.”
The current state pension is £185.15 a week which is paid monthly, equivalent to £9,628 a year.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed in his budget that the triple lock was safe and will be used to update the state pension amount.
Retirees will receive a 10.1 per cent increase from April.