Voluntary National Insurance
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 you’re employed
You can pay Class 3 voluntary contributions if you’re employed and the following are both true:
- you’re earning less than £123 a week
- you’re not eligible for National Insurance credits
If you’re self-employed
You can pay Class 2 or Class 3 voluntary contributions if you’re self-employed and you either have:
- a gross income of £1,000 or less
- a gross income over £1,000, but with profits of less than £6,725
If you’re 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 you’re both employed and self-employed
You can check your State Pension forecast to find out if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions if you:
- earn less than £123 from employment
- have profits of less than £6,725 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 you’re above State Pension age, you’ll 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 you’re unemployed
You can pay Class 3 voluntary contributions if you’re unemployed and the following are both true:
- you’re not claiming benefits
- you’re 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
- 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 below State Pension age, you can check your State Pension forecast or contact the Future Pension Centre to find out if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions.
If you’re 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 you’re over State Pension age
If you’ve reached State Pension age and want to fill in gaps in your National Insurance record you can pay:
- Class 3 contributions
- Class 2 contributions if you’re eligible