Voluntary National Insurance

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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.

Deadlines

You can usually only 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.

Pay older gaps in your record (deadline 5 April 2025)

You have until 5 April 2025 to pay for gaps in your National Insurance record that were more than 6 years ago.

If you’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953, then you can pay voluntary contributions to fill gaps between 2006 and 2018.

If you were born before these dates, you can fill gaps between 2016 and 2018.

After 5 April 2025, everyone will only be able to pay for voluntary contributions for the past 6 years.

You can read guidance or get help to decide if you should pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps.

Getting help

Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you have questions about voluntary National Insurance.

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
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  2. and Check how much pension you could get

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  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. Check if you can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

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