Overview

• The extended window to purchase missing National Insurance contributions dating back to 2006 closed on April 5, 2025, with new rules limiting backdating to the past six tax years.
• Approximately 400,000 retirees who registered for callbacks before the deadline are still awaiting contact to finalize their pension top-ups.
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) doubled staffing levels and introduced a callback service to manage surging demand but continues to face delays of up to eight months.
• Successful applicants can boost their weekly state pension by up to £113.76, but many report long waits for increased payments and backdated sums.
• The DWP recently apologized to affected pensioners, including one case where delayed payments were corrected, and back pay was issued.