Is it worth buying missing NI years?
Gaps in your National Insurance record reduce your State Pension. Buying missing years costs £824 each — but can pay back within just 2–3 years of retirement.
Your NI record
Check your NI record first
Your exact qualifying years and any gaps are shown free on your Gov.uk account. Not all gaps can be filled — HMRC will tell you which years are available.
Check NI record on Gov.ukCost to buy 3 gap years
£2,472
£824 per year (Class 3 NI, 2025/26)
State Pension without buying
£11,502/yr
£221/wk · 35 NI yrs
State Pension after buying
£11,502/yr
£221/wk · 35 NI yrs
How NI gaps work
Who has gaps?
Gaps arise from years of self-employment, career breaks, caring responsibilities, low earnings (below the Lower Earnings Limit), or time abroad. They show as incomplete years on your NI record.
Deadline to fill gaps
You can normally fill gaps going back 6 years. An extended window to fill gaps back to 2006 was available until April 2025 — check with HMRC if you think you may have missed it.
Other ways to build NI years
Caring for a child under 12 earns NI credits automatically. Carer's Allowance also qualifies. Some benefits count too — check NI credits on Gov.uk.