Why is the current cost of topping up less than earlier years?

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: national insurance years.

homerhotspur

Can anyone explain why the current cost of buying 21/22 and 20/21 years is cheaper than those earlier and later?

p00hsticks

I don't think they should be - the gov.uk page actually contradicts itself. because although it quotes the 2022-21 rate as £15.40 a week (which is what they would have cost at the time) it also says that 

'If you’re paying voluntary contributions for the previous 2 tax years (2023 to 2024 or 2022 to 2023), you’ll pay the original rates for those years.
For all other years you’ll pay the current rate (2024 to 2025).'

the 2024-25 rate is £17.45 a week  

Rates and allowances: National Insurance contributions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Sarahspangles

homerhotspur said:

Can anyone explain why the current cost of buying 21/22 and 20/21 years is cheaper than those earlier and later?

It depends whether you’re looking at generic information (someone hasn’t updated a web page) or your own shortfall in those two years, which could be correct if you had some contributions.

molerat

The clock was stopped in 2023 so all prior years are at their respective rates for 22-23 - April 2023 does not now happen until April 2025.  20-21 is £795.60 and 21-22 £800.80 (their in year price until 2 years after the end of the year, April 24 is also paused) until April 25 when they will increase to around £925, along with 19-20 and 22-23, and all years 18-19 and earlier will cease to be available.