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Time limits for making up a National Insurance contributions shortfall

If you want to top up a National Insurance contributions shortfall, you normally have to do this within six years of the end of the tax year for which the contributions are being paid. You can do this even if you've already reached State Pension age.

If you pay more than two years after the end of the relevant tax year, the rate will normally go up.

However, there are exceptions (to time limits and/or the rates you have to pay) for certain tax years.

Normal six year time limits

• Download 'Class 3 rates' (PDF, 18K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Voluntary Class 2 or Class 3 National Insurance contributions for the tax year 2006-07

You may be able to pay voluntary Class 2 or Class 3 National Insurance contributions for the 2006-07 tax year at the original rates of £2.10 (Class 2) or £7.55 (Class 3) if you:

• reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2023
• are entitled to credits for parents and carers - follow the links below to find out more about this
• make the payment by 5 April 2023

• State Pension credits for parents and carers (pensions and retirement planning section)

Voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions for the tax years 1993-94 to 2007-08

You may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions for the 1993-94 to 2007-08 tax years at the original rates if you:

• were wrongly awarded National Insurance credits when you were unemployed, sick or on an approved training course - find out more by following the third link below
• make the payment by 5 April 2023

• Download 'Class 3 rates for tax years 1993-94 to 1998-99' (PDF, 16K) Opens new window

• Download 'Class 3 rates for tax years 1999-2000 to 2007-08' (PDF, 16K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

• National Insurance credits

National Insurance shortfall - buying additional years of voluntary Class 3 contributions

From 6 April 2009, if you reach State Pension age between 6 April 2023 and 5 April 2023 you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions for up to an extra six years - going back to 1975-76 - to make up any gaps in your National Insurance contributions record.

You can do this on top of making voluntary Class 3 contributions for the last six tax years or for any of the tax years for which there are extended time limits in which to pay - see the section above. You pay at the current weekly rate - so if you pay by 5 April 2023 the rate is £13.25.

You've got six years from the date you reach State Pension age in which to pay the voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions. Find out more by following the link below.

• Download 'How to increase your State Pension if you reach State Pension age between 6 April 2023 and 5 April 2010' (PDF, 357K)

• Download 'How to increase your State Pension if you reach State Pension age between 6 April 2023 and 5 April 2015' (PDF, 239K)

• Help with PDF files

How to pay a National Insurance contributions shortfall

You can make voluntary National Insurance contributions using any of these payment methods:

• your bank (including overseas bank account) or building society's internet or telephone banking service
• Bank Giro, if your bank offers this service
• cheque, cash or debit card at a Post Office
• sending a cheque through the post

Find out more about payment options in the guide 'How to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance' by following the link below.

• How to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance Opens new window

How to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions if you're not working or getting National Insurance credits

If you're not working or getting National Insurance credits you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to:

• make sure you get a better State Pension when you retire
• keep up your entitlement to certain bereavement benefits

There are two main ways of paying your Class 3 voluntary contributions:

• monthly by Direct Debit
• quarterly - if you live in the UK you'll get a bill every 13 weeks

You pay in arrears with both payment methods.

• How to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance Opens new window

How to pay voluntary Class 2 or Class 3 contributions for periods spent abroad

There are special rules if:

• you're living abroad and you want to pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions
• you want to pay voluntary contributions for a past period when you were living abroad

• National Insurance contributions if you live or have lived abroad Opens new window

Decide if you need to pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions

If you're not sure whether to pay voluntary contributions, read the article 'Do you need to top up your National Insurance contributions?'.

• Deciding if you need to top up your National Insurance contributions

More useful links

• Check current National Insurance Contribution rates on the HMRC website Opens new window