If you've got gaps in your National Insurance contributions record you may be able to top up the shortfall by making one-off voluntary payments. If you're not working or getting National Insurance credits, you may also be able to make regular payments to protect your contributions record for the future.
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If you want to top up a National Insurance contributions shortfall, you normally have to do this within six years of the end of the tax year for which the contributions are being paid. You can do this even if you've already reached State Pension age.
If you pay more than two years after the end of the relevant tax year, the rate will normally go up.
However, there are exceptions (to time limits and/or the rates you have to pay) for certain tax years.
| Tax year with gap in National Insurance contributions | Voluntary Class 3 contributions must be paid by: |
|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 5 April 2014 |
| 2008-09 | 5 April 2015 |
| 2009-10 | 5 April 2016 |
| 2010-11 | 5 April 2017 |
| 2011-12 | 5 April 2018 |
| 2012-13 | 5 April 2019 |
If you are affected by the proposed changes to simplify future State Pension you have more time to pay voluntary class 2 or class 3 national insurance contributions for the years from 2006-07 to 2015-16. The extended time limits apply if:
The amount you will pay:
Find out more about Proposals to change State Pensions (Opens new window)
You may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions for the 1993-94 to 2007-08 tax years at the original rates if you:
Check Class 3 rates for the tax years 1993-94 to 1998-99 (PDF 16K) (Opens new window)
Check Class 3 rates for the tax years 1999-2000 to 2007-08 (PDF 16K)
From 6 April 2009, if you reach State Pension age between 6 April 2008 and 5 April 2015 you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions for up to an extra six years - going back to 1975-76 - to make up any gaps in your National Insurance contributions record.
You can do this on top of making voluntary Class 3 contributions for the last six tax years or for any of the tax years for which there are extended time limits in which to pay - see the section above. You pay at the current weekly rate - so if you pay by 5 April 2014 the rate is £13.55.
You've got six years from the date you reach State Pension age in which to pay the voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions. Find out more by following the link below.
You can make voluntary National Insurance contributions using any of these payment methods:
Find out more about payment options in the guide 'How to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance' by following the link below.
How to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance
If you're not working or getting National Insurance credits you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to:
There are two main ways of paying your Class 3 voluntary contributions:
You pay in arrears with both payment methods.
How to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance
There are special rules if:
Find out about topping up National Insurance contributions if you live or have lived abroad
If you're not sure whether to pay voluntary contributions, you should read the article 'Do you need to top up your National Insurance contributions?' and also consider the Government's proposals for simplifying the future State Pension. These proposals will not affect anyone reaching State Pension age before the reforms are introduced.
Read guidance on deciding if you need to top up your National Insurance contributions
Find out more about Proposals to change State Pensions (Opens new window)
Check National Insurance contributions rates
