The UK Government has extended the deadline for individuals who previously worked in the UK to ‘top up’ their NI contributions and avail of a partial UK pension on retirement – Here’s what you need to know.  

Background 

If you are an Irish citizen who worked in the UK between April 2006 and April 2016, there’s a potential opportunity that could significantly enhance your retirement benefits. The UK government previously announced an update allowing individuals to ‘top up’ their National Insurance (NI) contributions, enabling them to meet the minimum criteria for a partial UK pension – even if they’ve since returned to Ireland. The deadline for individuals to avail of this benefit has now been extended to 5 April 2025, so the time is now to check your eligibility!  

The UK State Pension Requirements

The UK State Pension is based on your NI contributions. Typically, you need at least 10 years of contributions to qualify for a partial pension, with 35 years required for the full pension, however if you worked in the UK between 2006 and 2016, you now have an opportunity to ‘buy back’ years to meet the 10-year minimum requirement. Many Irish citizens are eligible, as they worked in the UK for a period between 2006 and 2016, and while they have since returned home to work, their original contributions still apply. 

Who Can Benefit?

If you worked in the UK at any point between April 2006 and April 2016, you should check with a pension specialist if you are eligible to make top up contributions to your UK pension and potentially avail of a partial UK pension on retirement. 

Key Deadlines to Remember

Given the deadline has already been extended, it is essential that you act quickly to check your eligibility and begin making contributions. Here are the key dates you need to know:

• 5 April 2025: The deadline to make voluntary NI contributions for the tax years from April 2006 to April 2016 has been extended to this date. After this, you will no longer be able to backdate contributions for these years.
• 6 April 2025 and Beyond: Starting from this date, voluntary contributions can only be made for the previous six tax years. For example, from 6 April 2025, you will only be able to fill gaps from the 2019-2020 tax year onwards.

Next Steps

To take advantage of this opportunity:

1. Check Your NI Contribution Record: Review how many years of contributions you have and how many more you need to qualify for the UK State Pension. You can do this on the HMRC website.  
2. Consult with an Expert: Get in touch with a pension specialist or financial planner to support you with the process and check if it financially viable to proceed. 
3. Make Your Voluntary Contributions: If you decide to proceed, begin making contributions before the required deadline of 5 May 2025, so you don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity. 

Further information 

For more detailed information, you can visit the official UK government page on voluntary National Insurance contributions.