By Paul Lewis BC Radio 4's Money Box

The Inland Revenue is giving people more time to pay National Insurance contributions they may have missed.

The move could make it easier for some people to get a full state pension when they retire.

To get a full pension you need to have paid contributions for around 39 years if you are a woman, or 44 years if you are a man.

But it will be 44 years for everyone when the pension age for women rises to 65 in 2020.

You might have gaps if you were in higher education or abroad, or if you were not working and not signing on, or disabled Sally West, Age Concern

People with fewer contributions will get a reduced pension.

Sally West, policy officer with Age Concern, explained who may have a gap in their record.

"You pay contributions when you are working and earning over a certain amount, and you also get credits during unemployment or for disability, or you may get protection if you are a carer, or a parent with young children.

"You might have gaps if you were in higher education or abroad, or if you were not working, and not signing on or disabled."

No warning letters

Normally, gaps in a contribution record can only be filled if they are paid within six years of the date they were due.

So any missing contributions due before 1997/98 could not now be paid.

However the Inland Revenue is relaxing the rules for the future.

It will allow contributions due for 1996/97 and any year up to 2001/02 to be paid right up to 5 April 2008.

It is doing this because during this time the government failed to send letters to people warning them that they had a gap in their record.

Is it worth it?

Over the next 15 months the Inland Revenue will be writing to everyone affected.

But anyone who wants to pay extra contributions should take action now.

The contributions cost up to �6.95 for each week missed.

So a full year's gap can cost up to �361 to fill.

Normally paying one extra year can mean around an extra �2 a week on your pension Sally West, Age Concern

However, some people will not find it worthwhile.

They include divorced people or widows, or widowers who may be able to claim a pension on their ex or late spouse's contributions.

And married women can claim a reduced pension on their husband's contributions if they are at least 60 and he claims his pension.

But Sally West says for many people it is very worthwhile.

"Normally paying one extra year can mean around an extra �2 a week on your pension.

"There are some circumstances where it could make more of a difference. To get any basic pension you need to have paid 25% of your contributions.

"So for example, a woman who has 9 years of contributions would not get a pension. If she paid one year to give her 10 years then she would get a pension of around �19 a week."

You can check your contribution record to see what pension you will get and if you can enhance it by filling in form BR 19.

You can get this form from local Inland Revenue or Benefits Agency offices.

You can also get the form by calling 0845 3000 168 (text phone 0845 3000 169) or by visiting the pension service website.

BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 3 May, 2003, at 1200 BST.