National Insurance top-up calculator
If you have gaps on your National Insurance record you may be able to fill them with voluntary Class 3 contributions — currently £17.75 a week, or about £923 for a full year. Each year you buy back adds 1/35 of the full new State Pension (£342 a year of extra pension) for life. The breakeven is usually around three years.
- One-off cost
- £2,769
- Extra State Pension / year
- £1,026
- Breakeven
- 3.4 yrs
| Class 3 voluntary NI rate£923 per year purchased. | £17.75 / week |
|---|---|
| Each year buys (gross)1/35 of the full new State Pension a year. | £342 |
| Net annual gain after tax | £821 |
| Lifetime net (over 20 years) | +£13,651 |
| Net lifetime benefit | +£13,651 |
Breakeven at the basic-rate of tax is typically around 3 years — usually one of the highest-return uses of cash for anyone with gaps. Always check your State Pension forecast first on gov.uk because some missing years cannot be filled (e.g. years you were contracted out) and some may already be expected to fill via future work. Since 6 April 2025 you can normally only fill the last 6 years of NI; older gaps are usually closed. Speak to the Future Pension Centre before paying for years that may not boost your pension.
How it works
- Class 3 voluntary NI for 2025/26 costs £17.75 per week — £923.00 to buy a full year.
- Each qualifying year adds 1/35 of the full new State Pension. At the 2025/26 rate of £230.25/week, that is roughly £342 a year for the rest of your life.
- Most pensioners pay 20% Income Tax on State Pension above the Personal Allowance, so the net gain is around £274 a year. Breakeven on a £923 payment is about 3.4 years.
Common questions
- Who shouldn't bother topping up?
- People already on track for the full new State Pension (35 qualifying years) — extra years add nothing. Anyone with serious health issues that make 3+ years of life expectancy after State Pension Age unlikely. People who reached State Pension Age before 6 April 2016 (different rules).
- Can I pay for someone else?
- Yes — many families top up an elderly parent's record. The contributions are paid to HMRC and credited to the named person's NI record.
- Class 2 or Class 3?
- Self-employed people with low profits can pay the cheaper Class 2 rate (where available). Everyone else fills gaps with Class 3. Speak to the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 before paying.