The National Insurance top-up deadline was extended.

The deadline for persons to fill gaps in their National Insurance records in order to get the full state pension has been extended.

Due to concerns about a rush of last-minute inquiries, anyone who seeks a call back from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the subject will not be considered to have missed the 5 April deadline.

People can presently make voluntary supplementary contributions to cover National Insurance deficits dating back to 2006.

However, following the April deadline, this will only apply to the prior six years.

Some persons may have gaps in their National Insurance record because they have lived overseas or taken time off for caring duties.

In general, 35 years of qualified payments are required to get the full state pension.

Top-ups are permitted as part of the transition to the flat-rate state pension, which began in 2016.

Currently, these can go back nearly 20 years but will revert to normal six years after April.

Complications

According to pension experts, increased contributions may not be appropriate for every individual in these circumstances. Therefore, it is vital to determine whether it is financially beneficial.

There is uncertainty regarding when and if to top up; therefore, many people have contacted the DWP's Future Pension Centre or Pension Service to explore their choices.

Due to concerns about crowded phone lines, two earlier deadlines were extended.

Although the April deadline remains in effect, there will be some leniency for anyone who has difficulty getting through on the phone.

Anyone unable to contact the DWP before the deadline can submit an online call-back request form.

People who request a call-back by the 5 April deadline will be eligible to pay voluntary National Insurance Contributions back to April 2006 even after the deadline has passed.

Anyone in this position should save a screenshot of the call-back confirmation notice. A response call should arrive within eight weeks.

Checking service

A DWP representative stated that an online service would allow consumers to make top-up payments after the 5 April deadline as long as they completed the call-back request form before that date.

"This will enable us to ensure no one misses out and to manage demand as the deadline approaches suitably," he told reporters.

Steve Webb, a former pensions minister and partner at consultants LCP, said: "After the chaos in the run-up to previous deadlines, it is good that the government has planned to ensure that people do not miss out simply because they are unable to reach official phone lines to discuss state pension top-ups."

Anyone can look at their National Insurance record and acquire a state pension prediction for free to see whether making a voluntary contribution is a wise move for them.

People should also be aware of frauds, such as unsolicited messages about the subject, in the run-up to the deadline.