Can I pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in my record?

Yes, you can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in your NI record. This is important because gaps can reduce your State Pension entitlement.

Why fill gaps?

You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to receive the full new State Pension (currently £221.20 per week for 2024/25). If you have gaps, for example from years when you were not working, living abroad, or earning below the threshold, your State Pension will be lower.

Types of voluntary contributions:

• Class 3: These are voluntary contributions for employed people or those not working. The rate for 2024/25 is £17.45 per week (£907.40 per year).
• Class 2: If you are self-employed with low profits, you can pay voluntary Class 2 contributions at £3.45 per week (£179.40 per year), which is much cheaper than Class 3.

How to check your record:

• Log in to your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK to see your NI record and identify any gaps.
• The tool will show you which years have gaps and whether they can be filled.

Time limits for filling gaps:

You can usually go back 6 tax years to fill gaps. However, a special extended deadline has allowed some people to fill gaps going back to April 2006. Check the current deadline on GOV.UK as these extensions can change.

Is it worth it?

Paying £907.40 (one year of Class 3) could increase your annual State Pension by approximately £302, so you could recoup the cost in around 3 years of retirement. For most people with gaps, it is well worth paying.