Voluntary National Insurance

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Check which National Insurance contributions you can pay

Find out if you can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions based on things like your employment status, age and where you live.

If you바카라 사이트檙e employed

You can pay Class 3 voluntary contributions if you바카라 사이트檙e employed and the following are both true:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e earning less than 拢125 a week
  • you바카라 사이트檙e not eligible for National Insurance credits

If you바카라 사이트檙e self-employed

You can pay Class 2 or Class 3 voluntary contributions if you바카라 사이트檙e self-employed and you either have:

  • a gross income of 拢1,000 or less
  • a gross income over 拢1,000, but with profits of less than 拢6,845

If you바카라 사이트檙e self-employed as an examiner, minister of religion, landlord or in an investment business, you can pay Class 2 or Class 3 voluntary contributions.

Voluntary contributions count towards your State Pension and some benefits. You can check which benefits your National Insurance contributions count towards.

If you바카라 사이트檙e both employed and self-employed

You can check your State Pension forecast to find out if you바카라 사이트檒l benefit from paying voluntary contributions if you:

  • earn less than 拢125 from employment
  • have profits of less than 拢6,845 from self-employment

You can also contact the Future Pension Centre who will check if you have a gap in National Insurance contributions and tell you if it will benefit you to make a payment.

If you바카라 사이트檙e above State Pension age, you바카라 사이트檒l need to contact the Pension Service to check if you have a gap. They will also be able to tell you if it will benefit you to make a payment.

If you바카라 사이트檙e unemployed

You can pay Class 3 voluntary contributions if you바카라 사이트檙e unemployed and the following are both true:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e not claiming benefits
  • you바카라 사이트檙e not getting National Insurance credits

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
  • you바카라 사이트檙e currently working abroad (or you worked while you were abroad)

Between November 2017 and April 2019, HMRC바카라 사이트檚 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 you바카라 사이트檙e below State Pension age, you can check your State Pension forecast or contact the Future Pension Centre to find out if you바카라 사이트檒l benefit from paying voluntary contributions.

If you바카라 사이트檙e above State Pension age, or will reach State Pension age in the next 6 months, contact the International Pension Centre. They will check if you have a gap in National Insurance contributions and tell you how much you need to pay.

If you바카라 사이트檙e over State Pension age

If you바카라 사이트檝e reached State Pension age and want to fill in gaps in your National Insurance record you can pay:

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Plan your retirement income: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check when you can retire

    1. Check what age you can get your State Pension
    2. Find out about working after you reach State Pension age
    3. Find out if you can retire early with your workplace or personal pension

  2. and Check how much pension you could get

    1. Find out how much State Pension you could get (your forecast)

    You may also be paying into a:

    1. Find out if you바카라 사이트檒l pay tax on your pension
    2. Find contact details for a lost pension

  3. Step 2 Increase your pension

    You might be able to increase the amount you get if you delay your pension.

    1. Find out about delaying your pension

    You might be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill in gaps in your National Insurance record (such as, from when you were not working or claiming benefits).

    1. You are currently viewing: Check if you can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

    For advice about increasing your workplace or private pension, speak to a financial adviser.

  4. Step 3 Check what other financial support you could get

    Check what financial help you could get if you:

    You can also get free bus travel if you:

  5. Step 4 Decide when to retire

    1. Get advice on planning your pension and deciding when to retire