So now that early retirees need 35 years UK NI contributions (as against 30) to receive a full UK state pension does anyone know if making extra contributions is still an option? I have tried to research this, but could not find a clear statement about making up the five years shortfall.

I asked and was told that there was a 6 year deadline. That is, if one has not been making NI contributions for 6 years or more, then it's too late to make NI contributions.

However, I seem to recall that Fred (on this forum) new differently.

OK thanks,
I have not made contributions for more than six years so see what Fred says...

I started making additional voluntary contributions about a year ago, and was allowed to back date payments for 6 years. It might have changed, but at that time I hadn't been paying for over 10 years and they made no fuss.

It is six years, but some time ago the department that is responsible for this (I don't know what it was called then, they keep changing the names) screwed up by not advising people of some changes and it was agreed that anyone who had missed out on the deadline because they had not been informed correctly, could go back more than six years.

I doubt that it still applies and anyway, it only applied to missed years many years ago.

So, assume it is six years only.

Ok thanks everyone. I think I will write to DWP and see what they say.