Filling gaps in National Insurance record

Pub Date: 02/11/2023

Category: National Insurance

HM Revenue & Customs

National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. This can assist taxpayers to build up the number of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions and which can increase the amount of benefits a person is entitled to, such as the State Pension.

This could happen if someone were:

employed but had low earnings;
unemployed and were not claiming benefits;
self-employed but did not pay contributions because of small profits; and
living or working outside the UK.

National Insurance credits are available in certain situations where people are not working and therefore, not paying National Insurance credit. For example, credits may be available to those looking for work, who are ill, disabled or on sick pay, on maternity or paternity leave, caring for someone or on jury service.

Depending on the circumstances, National Insurance credits may be applied automatically or an application for credits may be required. There are two types of National Insurance credits available, either Class 1 or Class 3. Class 3 credits count towards the State Pension and certain bereavement benefits whilst Class 1 covers these as well as other benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Taxpayers may also be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps if they are eligible.

Voluntary National Insurance

Contents

Gaps in your National Insurance record

Eligibility

Rates

How and when to pay

Gaps in your National Insurance record

You may get gaps in your record if you do not pay National Insurance or do not get National Insurance credits. 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 the full State Pension (sometimes called ‘qualifying years’)
qualify for some benefits

You may be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps if you’re eligible.

Check your record for gaps

Check your National Insurance record to find out:

if you have any gaps
if you’re eligible to pay voluntary contributions
how much it will cost

You may also be eligible for National Insurance credits if you claim benefits because you cannot work, are unemployed or caring for someone full time.

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.

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.

You may also want to get financial advice before you decide to make voluntary contributions.

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 the full 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, file Self Assessment tax returns and do not have to pay Class 2 contributions because you have low profits
you live outside the UK, but you want to qualify for some benefits

Self-employed people with specific jobs

Some people do not pay Class 2 contributions through Self Assessment, 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

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