Last Updated on 27/04/2025 by Adrian Lamb
O’Boyle Accounting and Taxation have experience of setting up new systems to help control costs and monitor spending. Our team consists of good problem solvers and always look at the most practical (cut to the chase!) way to achieve the best results
If you’ve missed National Insurance (NI) contributions, you can pay voluntary contributions to fill gaps in your NI record but the extended deadline for going back to 2006 is swiftly approaching and once it has passed, you will only be able to go back 6 years.
Here are some key points:
Eligibility: You can pay voluntary contributions if you have gaps in your NI record due to low earnings, unemployment without benefits, self-employment with small profits, or living/working outside the UK
Types of Contributions: There are different classes of voluntary contributions:
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- Class 2: For self-employed individuals with low profits.
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- Class 3: For anyone who wants to fill gaps in their NI record
Deadlines: You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. For example, you have until 5 April 2030 to make up for gaps for the tax year 2023 to 2024. However, the government has extended the deadline for certain tax years so you can pay for gaps from April 2006 to April 2016 until 5 April 2025 if you meet specific criteria.
Benefits: Paying voluntary contributions can help you qualify for the State Pension and other benefits. It’s important to check if paying will actually increase your pension or benefits
How to Check your Contributions: Getting a government gateway (or personal tax account) is the fastest and easiest way to check your NI contributions and State pension. Using the personal government gateway, you should be able to view (1) your national insurance contributions and (2) a forecast of how much you are currently entitled to from the state pension.
For any queries regarding your missed NI Contributions the number is 0300 200 3500
