Voluntary National Insurance
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1. Overview
If you do not pay National Insurance you may have gaps in your National Insurance record. This could be because you were:
- employed but had low earnings
- unemployed and were not claiming benefits
- self-employed but did not pay contributions because of small profits
- living or working outside the UK
Gaps can mean you will not have enough years of National Insurance contributions to either:
- get a State Pension (sometimes called ‘qualifying years’)
- qualify for certain benefits
You may be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps.
Who cannot pay voluntary contributions
You cannot pay voluntary contributions if you:
- do not have gaps in your National Insurance record - unless you’re getting Class 3 credits and are eligible to pay Class 2 contributions
- are a married woman or widow paying reduced rate National Insurance
- have passed the deadline for paying contributions for the period that has gaps
Check your record for gaps
Check your National Insurance record to find out:
- if you have any gaps
- how much it will cost to pay voluntary contributions
If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, check if you’re eligible for National Insurance credits before deciding to pay voluntary contributions.
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you think your National Insurance record is wrong.
Decide if you want to pay voluntary contributions
Voluntary contributions do not always increase your State Pension, for example if you were contracted out.
If you’re below State Pension age, contact the Future Pension Centre to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions.
If you’ve reached State Pension age, contact the Pension Service to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions.
If you’re living or working abroad and you’re over, or within 6 months of reaching State Pension age, contact the International Pension Centre for advice.
Why you might want to pay voluntary contributions
You may want to pay voluntary contributions because:
- you’re close to State Pension age and do not have enough qualifying years to get or increase your State Pension
- you know you will not be able to get the qualifying years you need to get the full State Pension during your working life
- you’re self-employed and have annual profits of less than £6,725
- you live outside the UK, but you want to qualify for certain benefits or the State Pension
Self-employed people with specific jobs
Some people do not have their Class 2 contributions treated as having been paid, but may want to pay voluntary contributions. These are:
- examiners, moderators, invigilators and people who set exam questions
- people who run businesses involving land or property
- ministers of religion who do not receive a salary or stipend
- people who make investments for themselves or others - but not as a business and without getting a fee or commission
2. Check which National Insurance contributions you can pay
This table explains who’s eligible to pay Class 2 or Class 3 contributions.
| Your situation | Which class to pay |
|---|---|
| Employed but earning under £123 a week and not eligible for National Insurance credits | Class 3 |
| Self-employed with a gross income of £1,000 or less | Class 2 or Class 3 - they count towards State Pension and different benefits |
| Self-employed with a gross income over £1,000 but with profits of less than £6,725 | Class 2 or Class 3 - they count towards State Pension and different benefits |
| Both employed and self-employed, with low earnings and small profits | Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check if you have a gap and how much you need to pay |
| Self-employed as an examiner, minister of religion or in an investment or land and property business | Class 2 or Class 3 - they count towards different benefits |
| Unemployed and not claiming benefits or getting National Insurance credits | Class 3 |
If you live or work abroad (or have previously)
To pay Class 2 or Class 3 voluntary contributions you must have either:
- previously lived in the UK for 3 years in a row
- paid contributions or had Class 2 contributions treated as having been paid for at least 3 years
To pay Class 2 voluntary contributions both of the following must also apply:
- you worked in the UK immediately before leaving
- you’re currently working abroad (or you worked while you were abroad)
Between November 2017 and April 2019, HMRC’s guidance was incorrect. It said all these conditions must be true. If you did not apply or your application was refused because of the incorrect guidance, you may be able to pay at the original rates. Explain your situation when you apply.
If you’re over State Pension age
| Your situation | Which class to pay |
|---|---|
| You’ve reached State Pension age and want to fill in gaps in your National Insurance record | Class 3 and Class 2 if you’re eligible |
3. Rates
The rates for the 2024 to 2025 tax year are:
- £3.45 a week for Class 2
- £17.45 a week for Class 3
You usually pay the current rate when you make a voluntary contribution.
When you pay different rates
If the gap in your National Insurance record was between 6 April 2016 and 5 April 2023, you’ll pay the rates that applied in the 2022 to 2023 tax year:
You’ll also pay these rates if you’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953, and you want to make up any gaps between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2016.
After 5 April 2025, you may have to pay higher rates or be ineligible to pay. Find out more about how and when to pay.
4. How and when to pay
If you live in the UK, find out how to:
If you live or work outside the UK
If you live or work abroad (or have previously), find out what you need to do before paying voluntary National Insurance contributions.
Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you work abroad.
Deadlines
You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. The deadline is 5 April each year.
For example, you have until 5 April 2030 to make up for gaps for the tax year 2023 to 2024.
If you want to make voluntary contributions for the tax years 2016 to 2017 or 2017 to 2018, the deadline has been extended. You have until 5 April 2025 to pay.
You can sometimes pay for gaps from more than 6 years ago, depending on your age.
You’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953
You have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between tax years April 2006 and April 2016 if you’re eligible.
After 5 April 2025 you’ll only be able to pay for voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. This may not be enough to qualify for a new State Pension if you have fewer than 4 qualifying years on your National Insurance record. You’ll usually need at least 10 qualifying years in total.
Getting help
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you have questions about voluntary National Insurance.