Can I pay additional National Insurance contributions to enhance my basic State Pension?
You may be able to purchase additional contributions under current rules. Find out more about National Insurance contributions on the HM Revenue & Customs website There is also new legislation in the Pensions Act 2008 which allows certain people to buy up to an additional six years of voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions. This is over and above those permitted under the current time limits. The new rules come into effect from 6 April 2009. The new measure applies to individuals who reach State Pension age between 6 April 2008 and 5 April 2015 and already have 20 qualifying years (including any full tax years of Home Responsibilities Protection). Individuals who reach State Pension age between 6 April 2008 and 5 April 2010 must have at least one qualifying year from paid or treated as paid National Insurance contributions.
Related Questions
- Does the State Pension forecast assume an individual will pay (or be credited with) full rate National Insurance contributions up to State Pension age?
- How many years of National Insurance (NI) contributions and credits are needed for a full basic State Pension?
- Who has to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions?
