State pensioners have just days left to boost their retirement income by up to £24,600 for life.
The urgent deadline of April 5 marks the final opportunity to fill National Insurance gaps dating back to 2006.
After this cutoff, workers will only be able to buy back the last six tax years.
Failure to act could result in a lower state pension payout for life, experts warn.
To receive the full new state pension, worth £221.20 a week or over £11,502 a year, Britons need 35 years of National Insurance contributions.
A minimum of ten years is required to receive any state pension at all.
Britons can top up state pension payments back to 2006 up until April 5
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The cost to boost National Insurance records varies depending on the year, with rates typically around £824 for each missing year.
This investment adds approximately £328 a year to a pension.
The boost lasts for life, meaning Britons could quickly recoup what they spend.
Workers in low-paid jobs who may have gaps in their National Insurance record are particularly urged to take action.
Even those who have already begun claiming your state pension, it's still possible to top it up.
Purchasing five years of missing contributions, paying around £4,100 in total, will lead to an extra £1,640 every year for life.
Over 10 years in retirement, this equates to an additional £16,400.
Over 15 years, those making use of the top up would have accumulated an extra £24,600, according to investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown.
This represents a significant return on investment for those who live well into their retirement years.
Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Topping up your state pension can be a cost-effective way of boosting your retirement income. But before you do, check that you'll actually benefit."
It's important to assess whether making voluntary contributions will be advantageous in specific circumstances.
Not everyone will benefit from topping up their National Insurance record.
Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb has warned not everyone is best topping up payments
PAMorrissey advised: "If you qualified for benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Child Benefit, you may be able to backdate a claim. These benefits come with NI credits, so you could fill the gaps for free."
Parents who opted out of Child Benefit due to the High Income Child Benefit charge should also check if they qualify for free NI credits.
From April 2026, the Government will automatically provide NI credits to parents who stopped claiming child benefit but were unaware they were missing out on pension-boosting credits.
Steve Webb, former Pensions Minister and partner at LCP, warned: "Parents thinking of paying voluntary NI contributions before the April 5 deadline might need to think again, as they risk wasting their money."
