Voluntary National Insurance
How and when to pay
Find out how to:
If you’re living abroad, read leaflet NI38 and fill in form CF83 (found at the end). Send it back to HMRC using the address on the form.
Deadlines
You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. The deadline is 5 April each year.
For example, you have until 5 April 2024 to make up for gaps for the tax year 2017 to 2018.
If you want to make voluntary contributions for the tax year 2016 to 2017, the deadline has been extended. You have until 31 July 2023 to pay.
You can sometimes pay for gaps from more than 6 years ago, depending on your age.
You’re a man born after 5 April 1951 or a woman born after 5 April 1953
You have until 31 July 2023 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between tax years April 2006 and April 2016 if you’re eligible.
After 31 July 2023 you’ll only be able to pay for voluntary contributions for the past 6 years. This may not be enough to qualify for a new State Pension if you have fewer than 4 qualifying years on your National Insurance record. You’ll usually need at least 10 qualifying years in total.