The government has launched a new online service that allows taxpayers to check for gaps in their National Insurance record, make voluntary payments, and receive confirmation once their payment has been processed.
The “Check your state pension forecast” tool, developed by HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has been upgraded to offer a complete solution. Taxpayers can now not only view their pension forecast but also make voluntary National Insurance contributions through the service.
This enhancement enables most taxpayers under the state pension age to identify gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record and make contributions to fill them. The tool shows how much their state pension could increase with voluntary contributions and provides the exact amount they need to pay.
Through the new service, users can select specific years to fill, make secure payments, and receive email confirmation that their payment has been processed and their NI record updated.
The tool is accessible via the “Check your state pension forecast” webpage on gov.uk or the HMRC app. Taxpayers can log in using their personal tax account details, while those without an online HMRC account will need to register on gov.uk.
This service is available to most taxpayers, including those living abroad who wish to pay voluntary contributions for periods when they were UK residents. However, it is not available for individuals already receiving their state pension, the self-employed, or those with gaps incurred while living and working abroad. These groups will continue to manage their NICs through existing methods.