Answers · UK 2025/26

Is it worth paying voluntary National Insurance to top up my State Pension?

Usually yes. One full year of Class 3 voluntary NI costs about £924 and can add roughly £6.30 a week, or about £329 a year, to your State Pension for life. That is often repaid within three years, making it one of the best-value top-ups, but only if the year actually boosts your record.

Last updated: 10 June 2026Last reviewed: 10 June 2026How we verify

Full answer

You need about 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and at least 10 for any payment. If your forecast shows gaps, you can often fill them with voluntary Class 3 contributions. For 2026/27 a full year of Class 3 costs around £17.75 a week, roughly £924 for the year. Each filled year typically adds about 1/35th of the full pension, around £6.30 a week or £329 a year, paid for the rest of your life and rising with the triple lock. Worked example: you buy three missing years for about £2,772. That could lift your State Pension by roughly £18.90 a week, about £983 a year. Over a 20-year retirement that is nearly £19,660 of extra income for a £2,772 outlay, and the cost is usually recovered in under three years. The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week (£12,548 a year) in 2026/27, so closing gaps matters. Important checks: not every gap year increases your pension, especially years already covered by NI credits or pre-2016 years, so always confirm with your forecast and the Future Pension Centre before paying. Self-employed people may pay cheaper Class 2 rates. Use the state pension forecast calculator to see your gaps. Check your record and pay online at https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension.