Updates
- 6 May 2026
SPA 66 to 67 transition begins
The first cohort affected by the rise to SPA 67 reaches their pension age. Anyone born from 6 April 1960 sees their SPA drift between 66 and 67 across the next ~22 months, completing on 6 March 2028.1
- 6 April 2026
Triple-lock uprating applied: +4.8%
Full new State Pension lifts to £241.30/wk (£12,547.60/yr) and basic SP to £184.90/wk on the earnings-link component of the triple lock. Class 3 voluntary NI rises in line with the wider rate sheet to £17.75/wk.2
- 5 April 2025
Extended buy-back window closed
The transitional window allowing buy-back of NI gaps back to 6 April 2006 closed. From 6 April 2025 the standard 6-year window applies; in 2026/27 you can typically only fill 2020/21 and later.3
- April 2025
Online voluntary NI payment service launched
HMRC launched a self-service online route to view and pay voluntary NI contributions, replacing the previous phone-then-pay flow.4
- Autumn Statement 2023 (still rolling through)
Class 2 voluntary NI phase-out announced
Government announced abolition of Class 2 NICs for the self-employed. Class 2 voluntary contributions remain in transition; expat and self-employed cohorts moving to Class 3 pricing where the cheap route was previously used.5
- Ongoing 2026
State Pension Age 68 under review
Successive governments have signalled a possible acceleration of SPA 68 from the current 2044-2046 timetable. As of June 2026 there is no firm change. The Commons Library tracks current proposals.6
Refresh cadence
We re-verify all rates and rule statements quarterly. The next scheduled refresh follows the Autumn Budget 2026. If you spot a change we missed, say hello on the about page.