State pensioners are receiving an extra £2,500 a year after making just one phone call, according to new reports. Martin Lewis, the BBC and ITV financial expert, has shared feedback from retirees who rushed to purchase additional National Insurance contributions before the April 2025 deadline.
Martin Lewis Shares Success Stories
Mr Lewis took to X, formerly Twitter, to ask: "Did you use the State Pension Top Up call back form before the end of the last tax year (while you could buy back to 2006)? I want to check that everyone who did use it has now been called back and done (or not done if that was best) what was needed? Please let me know."
In response, one retiree said: "Yes I did and I was called back. Thanks to you my pension increased £1000 a year. I only had to pay £100 for one of the years. I always ignored doing it before because I didn't really understand the jargon. You put it in terms I understood."
A second person commented: "I used it. It did take several months for the call back to come (October I think). But when it happened it was efficient, I bought the extra years and when I checked a couple of weeks later, they had been credited."
Another retiree reported: "Got an initial call back in June, but they only wanted my NI number and said someone would call me back. They did, but not until the end of September. However, very helpful and patient and payment made."
Significant Weekly Increase
One pensioner shared a particularly impressive result: "After listening to Martin's podcast, I checked my NI contributions and found I had eight years missing! I've now paid six years and will pay the next two years when possible. This has made a difference of about £49 a week, which is considerable! I'd never have known without the podcast! Thank you."
Over a full year, this weekly increase of £49 amounts to an extra £2,548 annually. The process of buying back missing National Insurance years can significantly boost state pension income, and Martin Lewis continues to help retirees navigate the system.
