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26 Mar 2026
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26 Mar 2026
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Cllr Marianne Butler
Louth Green Party councillor for Dundalk, Cllr Marianne Butler, is encouraging local people who have previously worked in Northern Ireland or the UK to review their National Insurance (NI) contributions and consider making voluntary payments to secure or enhance their UK State Pension entitlements.
Making voluntary contributions now can help secure a UK State Pension and increase those payments. This is a one-time opportunity to purchase up to 18 years of contributions—after April 5th, individuals can only buy up to six years. Cllr Butler believes it is an opportunity for everyone eligible to maximise their future income.
Eligibility for this scheme is for Irish people who have worked for a number of years in Northern Ireland and/or the UK and paid National Insurance contributions but do not yet qualify for a full UK State Pension. Those with fewer than 10 years of contributions may be able to buy additional years to become eligible for a pension, while those with 10 to 35 years can increase their pension amount.
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Cllr Butler urges all eligible Irish nationals to take advantage of this scheme before the deadline passes."The main action that I want local people, who have worked in Northern Ireland or the UK to take, is to request a call back with the Future Pensions Centre.
"Filling in the online form takes a few minutes, anyone who completes this form before April 5th will be considered as having met the deadline. They will be contacted in the coming weeks and months and can have that conversation, get a forecast on their pension and discuss paying voluntary national insurance contributions.
"For those who worked in the UK, this could really enhance their retirement income. This form can be found on the UK Government website page for 'Request a call back to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions'."
Links for online forms and further information: https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/request-a-call-back-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/contact-form
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