As expats, there’s every chance there will be gaps in your National Insurance record due to living or working outside the UK. As Brits, our national insurance contributions entitle us to certain benefits or even a full state pension, however you must ensure you have collected enough years of contribution.

DO YOU HAVE GAPS IN YOUR RECORD?

If you find you have gaps in your record, and you choose to cover these gaps, then you can make a voluntary contribution. To find out if you are eligible for voluntary contributions, please click here.

You can usually only pay for gaps within the last six years but depending on your age you may be able to pay for gaps more than six years ago.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PAY FOR VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS?

There are a number of reasons you would want to pay for voluntary contribution; If you’re close to state pension age and don’t have enough years to qualify for a state pension, or you know you won’t get the number of qualifying years you need to get the full state pension during your working life, you are self-employed with low profits or live outside the UK and may want to apply for some benefits. In all of these cases it may be worth contributing to your National Insurance record with voluntary contribution.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PAY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS?

If you are living and working outside of the UK and worked in the UK immediately before leaving and lived in the UK for three years prior to moving, you would be eligible to pay voluntary contributions.

If you are living but not working outside of the UK, you will only be able to pay voluntary contribution if you have lived in the UK for three consecutive years or paid at least three years of contributions.

WHEN TO PAY FOR VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

You have until 5th April 2022 to make up for the gaps in your National Insurance record for up to the tax year 2015 to 2016.

To find out more about how to pay your voluntary contributions, please click here.

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