Question 1

Is it worth buying missing NI years?

Accepted Answer

For most people with gaps in their NI record, buying voluntary Class 3 contributions is one of the best financial returns available. Each year costs £907.40 (2025/26 rate) and adds approximately £329 per year to your state pension for life. The payback period is typically under 3 years. However, you should first check whether you can get free NI credits for any gap years, and ensure buying more years won’t push you over the 35-year maximum where additional years add no value.

Question 2

How much does a voluntary NI year cost?

Accepted Answer

The Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contribution rate for 2025/26 is £907.40 per year. This rate is set annually by HMRC. Self-employed individuals may be able to pay the cheaper Class 2 rate instead, which also counts as a qualifying year. You can pay for gaps going back several years, though older years may be charged at the rate that applied at the time.

Question 3

How much extra state pension do I get per year of NI?

Accepted Answer

The full new state pension for 2025/26 is £11,502 per year (£221.20 per week), payable with 35 qualifying years. Each qualifying year is therefore worth approximately £328.63 per year (£6.32 per week) of state pension income. You need a minimum of 10 qualifying years to receive any state pension at all.

Question 4

How do I check my NI record?

Accepted Answer

You can check your National Insurance record online at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record. You’ll need a Government Gateway account. Your record shows each tax year, whether it was a full year, and any gaps. It also shows how many qualifying years you have and how many more you need for the full state pension. HMRC can also tell you how much it would cost to fill specific gaps.

Is buying missing NI years worth it?