In this section:
  • Checking your National Insurance contributions record

Checking your National Insurance contributions record

If you need to check your National Insurance record you can ask HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for a statement of your National Insurance account. HMRC keeps records of the National Insurance contributions you've paid throughout your working life.

On this page:

When you might need a statement of your National Insurance account

You might ask for a statement of your National Insurance account to:

  • Find out if you can pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions and how much they will cost.
  • Check that the National Insurance contributions you have paid or been credited with are on your account. There can be several reasons why you might think your account is wrong, for example if you find out that you or your employer have been using the wrong National Insurance number - but read the paragraph below before deciding to ask for a statement.

Where there are small errors in National Insurance numbers - for example numbers are the wrong way round or have the wrong letter at the end - usually HMRC can find the right account and record the National Insurance contributions correctly.

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What a statement of your National Insurance account tells you

A statement of your National Insurance account tells you how much National Insurance you have paid each year. If relevant, it also tells you how many National Insurance credits you have been awarded - this applies if for example you received a state benefit that also entitled you to National Insurance credits.

The statement breaks down the amounts paid by type of National Insurance:

  • Class 1 as an employee
  • Class 2 as a self-employed person
  • Class 3 voluntary contributions

It also tells you if any of the years included are not 'qualifying years' that count for state benefit purposes and how much, if anything, you can pay to make the year count.

Find out more about types of National Insurance, credits and how they relate to state benefits by following the link below.

National Insurance: the basics

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What a statement of your National Insurance account won't tell you

A statement of your National Insurance account won't tell you:

  • (if you were an employee) which employer(s) you worked for and how much you paid whilst working for them
  • (if you were self-employed, received National Insurance credits or paid voluntary contributions) the period(s) during the year covered by credits or Class 2 or Class 3 National Insurance contributions
  • how paying voluntary contributions might affect the amount of State Pension you receive

If you want information about your State Pension entitlement you can ask for a State Pension estimate by following the link below.

Get a State Pension estimate (Opens new window)

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Years for which you can get a statement of your National Insurance account

You can apply for a statement for the whole of your working life but often you only need to check your record for certain years. Tell HMRC the years you want them to include in the statement when you ask for it.

Years you can't get a statement for

You can't get a statement for the:

  • current tax year
  • previous tax year

For example, if you applied for a statement now (tax year 2011-12), you would only be able to ask for details for the tax year 2009-10 and earlier.

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How to get a statement of your National Insurance account

You can request a statement of your National Insurance account online. This method is:

  • quick and easy
  • safe and secure
  • convenient for you

Apply online by following the link below.

Apply online for a National Insurance statement of account

Alternatively, you can:

  • phone HMRC - follow the link at the end of this section
  • write to HMRC at:
    HM Revenue & Customs
    Individuals Caseworker
    Benton Park View
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE98 1ZZ

If you apply in writing please provide the following information:

  • your National Insurance number
  • date of birth
  • first name, middle name and last name
  • address and previous address, if applicable
  • tax years you want to be shown on your statement, for example 2006-07 to 2009-10
  • why you want a statement of account (a brief explanation will do)
  • a day time contact number including the area code

National Insurance Enquiries Helpline

If you are resident abroad

If you want to check your National Insurance record, contact the National Insurance Contributions & Employer Office – International Caseworker by following the link below.

National Insurance Contributions Office – International Caseworker

If you are approaching or over State Pension age

If you are over or within 4 months of State Pension age and are thinking about paying voluntary Class 3 contributions, contact the National Pension Service by following the link below,

Contact the National Pension Service (Opens new window)

Getting a statement of someone else’s National Insurance account

If you are an authorised agent and your client has completed form 64-8 Authorising Your Agent - you can request a statement of their National Insurance account by email, in writing or by phone. Find details at the beginning of this section.

If you are asking for a statement on behalf of a deceased person please write to HMRC at:

HMRC
Individuals Caseworker
Benton Park View
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ

You will need to provide proof that you are the personal representative or executor for the deceased person.

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