How do I top up my N.I. years?

myunIs

I gave up work early and didn't claim any benefits (I was able to live off savings). As I didn't pay any NI conts in those years, I have 28 full years so have decided I need to pay 7 more years (I am not intending to go back into employment before I reach state pension age in about 4 years time). My record shows that for the majority of the years, the amount required to pay is about £800 (this would imply class 2).

Q1. Am I right in assuming that the contributions I need to pay are class 2?
Q2. How do I actually pay. It looked like it required a call to get an 18 digit number but when I called, the answer message stated that it can now be done online without that number. I have looked online via my gateway account and can't see any links for actually making the payments.

Flugelhorn

have you checked that there are any years that you can pay, and also how much difference it will make ? I think they are usually listed on the pension estimate page 

myunIs

I've realised that £800 pa must relate to class 3 contributions, so that's the 1st question answered.

myunIs

Flugelhorn said:

have you checked that there are any years that you can pay, and also how much difference it will make ? I think they are usually listed on the pension estimate page 

Yes. Even with class 3 it's worth doing if you are going to receive a state pension for more than about 30 months.

molerat

Why have you chosen 7 years ?  Does your forecast actually state you need 7 or are you making the mistake of 28 + 7 = 35 = full pension ?  It may be the correct amount but that would be coincidental for someone with a pre 2016 record.

Go into your NI record,click on "view payable gaps" then "check if you can pay gaps on line"

What does your forecast show for "estimate based on your national insurance record up to 5 April 2023/2024" ?

myunIs

molerat said:

Why have you chosen 7 years ?  Does your forecast actually state you need 7 or are you making the mistake of 28 + 7 = 35 = full pension ?  It may be the correct amount but that would be coincidental for someone with a pre 2016 record.

Go into your NI record,click on "view payable gaps" then "check if you can pay gaps on line"

What does your forecast show for "estimate based on your national insurance record up to 5 April 2023/2024" ?

Thanks molerat, I didn't spot that button. After answering some questions, I got the following message: "You told us you have already stopped paying National Insurance. This means you are unable to pay for gaps online." So it looks like I will have to call future pensions tomorrow.

molerat

You made the fatal, and well known on here, mistake of answering "yes" to the stopped paying NI question.  Try again and answer "NO".  You have assumed a government computer system is logical and sensible