Currently, voluntary contributions can be made to plug gaps back to April 2006, but this will be curtailed from April.

Normally, it is only possible to make voluntary contributions for the past six tax years. Currently there is an extension in place so individuals can fill gaps in their NI history from 6 April 2006 to the present date by making voluntary contributions.

However, from 6 April 2023, the timeframe for making voluntary contributions will revert to the normal six years. This means that in the 2023/24 tax year, it will be possible to make contributions going back to the 2017/18 tax year only.

Contribution levels affect the level of state pension paid to retirees.