Answers · UK 2025/26
Can I top up my State Pension?
Yes. You can buy voluntary Class 3 NI contributions to fill gaps in your record. Each full year costs £907.40 in 2025/26 and adds 1/35 of the full new State Pension — about £329 a year for life, paying for itself in roughly three years of retirement. The deadline for pre-2016 years was extended to 5 April 2025.
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If your forecast at GOV.UK shows fewer than 35 qualifying years, voluntary Class 3 NICs can plug the gaps. The 2025/26 cost is £17.45 per week (£907.40 for a full year). Each year added boosts the new State Pension by £230.30 ÷ 35 = £6.58 per week or £342.51 a year — break-even after about 2 years 8 months of retirement. Self-employed people pay the cheaper Class 2 voluntary rate of £3.50/week (£182 a year). Eligibility: you generally have six tax years to fill gaps, but the government extended the window for years between 2006/07 and 2017/18 to 5 April 2025 only. Before paying, contact the Future Pension Centre (0800 731 0175) — buying voluntary years has no value if you already have, or can earn before SPA, 35 years; if a year falls into a period of contracted-out employment; or if you are still working and will reach 35 anyway. Class 3 also counts toward bereavement support and contribution-based benefits but not Maternity Allowance or contribution-based JSA. Specified NI credits (carer, child benefit, jury service) are free and should be claimed first.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.