The UK government has launched a new online tool to help people check and fill gaps in their national insurance (NI) record to boost their state pension. 

The new tool, ‘Check your state pension forecast,’ has been launched by HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help people easily increase their state pension. 

How does the new online service work? 

Available online and via the HMRC app, the new service shows people how much their state pension could rise and how much in voluntary NI contributions they must make. 

They can choose the years they want to fill and make contributions accordingly.  

To use the service, you can log in using your personal tax account login or register for an online HMRC account via GOV.UK.  

Once you’ve paid for the voluntary NI contributions, your record will be updated.  

The new tool should help make it easier to boost state pension contributions, as you previously had to call DWP and then HMRC instead of doing this online or via an app.  

If you have any questions beforehand, it’s worth calling the Future Pension Centre if you’re not at state pension age.  

If you want to fill in gaps in your NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018, you must do so by 5 April 2025. After this date, you can only pay voluntary NI contributions for the last six tax years. 

While most people can use this new service, some won’t be able to use it. 

For example, you can’t use this service if you’re already receiving the state pension, want to fill NI gaps during self-employment, or live overseas and want to fill gaps while working abroad.   

How do you qualify for the new state pension?  

You need 10 qualifying years on your NI record to qualify for any state pension or 35 qualifying years to get the full amount, currently £221.20 a week (around £11,500 a year). 

The state pension rises in line with triple lock, the highest of either 2.5%, average earnings or inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). 

While the state pension provides some income in retirement, it’s unlikely to be enough, so building your personal pensions throughout your career is worth considering. 

Planning for retirement? 

Whether you want to boost your pension pots or are planning for your retirement, Unbiased can help by quickly connecting you with a qualified financial adviser.