Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has reassured pension savers that state pension means testing remains an unlikely risk, but warned that the state pension age could rise in the future. Speaking on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on March 4, he emphasized that those considering buying back missing National Insurance years should do so before the April 5 deadline, as the opportunity to boost future payments could soon disappear.
As reported by Express.co.uk, Lewis explained that purchasing extra National Insurance years could be a lifelong financial boost, helping retirees maximize their state pension payouts. However, concerns have been raised that if the government introduces means testing, some individuals who make voluntary contributions may end up losing money if their pension is later restricted. Despite this, Lewis remains confident that the risk is small, arguing that the potential financial benefits outweigh any uncertainty.
Buying National Insurance Years Before the Deadline
Currently, individuals can buy back up to 13 missing years of National Insurance contributions, allowing them to increase their state pension entitlement. This costs approximately £824 per missing year, but depending on life expectancy, it could result in thousands of pounds in extra pension payments over time.
The April 5 deadline is crucial because, after this date, the number of years available for backdating will be significantly reduced, limiting the ability for savers to increase their state pension. For those who are short on contributions, failing to act before this deadline could mean losing out on extra retirement income permanently.
Lewis has urged those nearing retirement to review their National Insurance records as soon as possible, as even purchasing a few additional years could provide long-term financial benefits.
Is Means Testing the State Pension a Real Threat?
During the show, Lewis was asked whether buying extra years could backfire if the state pension later becomes means-tested, meaning only those on low incomes would qualify. While some politicians, including Kemi Badenoch, have discussed the idea, no major UK party has proposed it as official policy.
Lewis reassured viewers that means testing is an outside risk at best, adding that any such move would likely face legal challenges. He argued that those close to retirement have little to worry about, as it only takes around two and a half years of pension payments for the investment in National Insurance contributions to break even.
Rising State Pension Age a Bigger Concern
According to Lewis, a far more likely scenario is an increase in the state pension age, meaning future retirees may have to wait longer to access their payments. However, even if the pension age rises, he believes buying back missing years still makes financial sense, as the overall lifetime gain remains significant.
For those nearing state pension age, Lewis strongly advises taking action now, stating:
“If you’re going to retire in two or three years, it’s a no-brainer. The potential rewards from this are very large, the risk of means testing happening is small.”
Meanwhile, younger workers further from retirement may need to consider the long-term risks, as future pension policies remain unpredictable.
