Extension of NICs top-up period
You need at least
- 35 complete NICs years to receive the maximum state retirement pension, and
- 10 complete NICs years to receive any of the state retirement pension.
Where there is a gap in your NICs record, you can normally pay voluntary Class 3 contributions for periods in the last six tax years.
Currently there is a dispensation that allows women born after 5 April 1953 and men born after 5 April 1951 to complete gaps in their NICs records right back to 6 April 2006. You can pay the voluntary NICs at the 2022/23 rate of £15.85 per week instead of the current rate of £17.45 per week.
This opportunity to make up these old years with voluntary NICs payments now closes on 5 April 2025, rather than 31 July 2023.
Note that in some circumstances, for example if you have been claiming child benefit for young children while earning below contribution thresholds, you should have been credited with having paid NICs.