National Insurance (NI) is a tax on earnings and self-employment profits that funds the State Pension and certain other benefits.
Classes of NI
- Class 1: deducted from employed earnings above the Primary Threshold
- Class 2 and 4: paid by the self-employed
- Class 3: voluntary contributions to fill gaps in your record
Why your NI record matters
You need 35 qualifying years of NI contributions to receive the full new State Pension. Gaps can be filled with voluntary Class 3 contributions. Check your NI record and State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NI years do I need for the full State Pension?
You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions for the full new State Pension. You need at least 10 qualifying years to receive anything.
Can I fill gaps in my National Insurance record?
Yes. You can pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions to fill gaps. Check your NI record at gov.uk/check-state-pension.