Thousands of people have been given more time to potentially boost their state pension by tens of thousands of pounds.
HMRC has extended the deadline to purchase voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions until April 5, 2025.
It marks the second time this cut-off has been pushed back after many struggled to get through to HMRC on the phone.
The previous deadline was originally April 5, 2023, and then it later became July 31, 2023.
Most people need 35 qualifying years on their NI record to claim the full new state pension, and ten years to receive anything at all.
This means if you have gaps in your record, you may not receive a full new state pension later in life - leaving you potentially thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Under the current rules, you can buy back missing NI years dating back to 2006 - but after the April 2025 deadline, you will only be able to go back six tax years.
Buying one full voluntary NI contribution year costs £824 and adds £275 a year to your state pension - over ten years, this would work out an extra £2,750.
How much you could add depends on how many gaps you have and how long you claim the state pension, but for some people, it can add tens of thousands of pounds.
To check if there are any gaps in your NI record, use the Gov.uk state pension forecast calculator.
This will tell you if you’re expected to retire on a full new state pension, or if you’re likely to have a shortfall.
But even if you do have gaps, you may not necessarily need to buy NI contributions as some people can plug their record for free.
For example, you may be entitled to NI credits if you were claiming statutory sick pay and not earning enough for a qualifying year.
Those who claim benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance may also qualify for NI credits.
There are more examples of ways you may be eligible for NI credits on the Gov.uk website.
You also need to check if the gains from buying extra years may be reduced if it pushes you into the higher 40% tax bracket.
Contact the free Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 before buying any NI contributions to check if you'd benefit from plugging any gaps in your NI record.
If you're already at state pension age, contact the free Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.
The full new state pension is currently worth £203.85 per week and the state pension age is 66, although it is rising to 67 and eventually 68.
You'll claim the new state pension if you were born on or after April 6, 1951, if you are a man and after April 6, 1953, if you are a woman.
If you were born before these dates it means you will get the basic state pension instead and this deadline doesn't affect you.
Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “People who have worked hard all their lives deserve to receive their State Pension entitlement, and filling gaps in National Insurance records can make a real difference.
“With the deadline extended, there is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost.”
Laura Trott, Minister for Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions, said: “I am pleased to see so many people taking steps to review their State Pension, which is why we have extended the deadline for customers to add extra years to their National Insurance record.
“This extension means thousands more people will have time to check their entitlement, and in many cases increase the amount they receive when they retire.”
