Checking Your NI Record

Key facts

You can view your NI record online through your HMRC personal tax account at no cost.
Your record shows each tax year from when you started working, whether it’s a full year, partial year, or gap.
Gaps can often be filled by paying voluntary contributions or claiming missing NI credits.
HMRC may write to you if they identify a significant gap that could affect your State Pension.

Why Check Your NI Record?

Your National Insurance record directly determines how much State Pension you’ll receive. You need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and at least 10 for any pension at all. Checking your record helps you:^[1]

See how many qualifying years you’ve built up so far
Identify any gaps that could reduce your State Pension
Decide whether it’s worth paying voluntary contributions
Spot errors — for example, missing contributions from an employer
Plan ahead for retirement

How to Check Online

The quickest way to check your NI record is through the GOV.UK online service:^[1]

Go to gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
Sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password
If you don’t have a Government Gateway account, you can create one — you’ll need your National Insurance number and a form of ID
Once signed in, select “Check your National Insurance record”

Alternative access: You can also view your NI record through the free HMRC app, available on iOS and Android. The app uses the same Government Gateway login.

What Your Record Shows

Your NI record displays a year-by-year summary. For each tax year (6 April to 5 April), you’ll see one of the following:

Status	Meaning
Full year	You have enough contributions or credits for this year to count as a qualifying year.
Year is not full	You have some contributions but not enough for a full qualifying year. You may be able to top it up.
No record	No contributions or credits recorded for this year. This is a gap.

The record also shows:

Your total number of qualifying years
The number of years until you reach State Pension age
Any years you can still pay voluntary contributions for
Details of contributions in each year (Class 1 from employment, Class 2 from self-employment, or credits)

Spotting and Understanding Gaps

A gap in your NI record means a tax year that does not count as a qualifying year. Gaps can occur for many reasons:^[2]

Low earnings — you earned below the Lower Earnings Limit (£6,396 in 2025/26)
Self-employment with low profits — profits below the Small Profits Threshold and no voluntary Class 2 paid
Career break — time out of work without claiming credits-eligible benefits
Living abroad — working overseas without maintaining UK NI
Employer error — employer failed to report or pay your NI correctly

Not all gaps need filling. If you already have 35 qualifying years (or expect to reach 35 before State Pension age), additional years won’t increase your pension. Check your State Pension forecast before paying to fill gaps.^[4]

How to Fill Gaps

If you identify a gap you want to fill, there are several options:^[3]

1. Claim Missing NI Credits

Check whether you were entitled to NI credits during the gap year — for example through Child Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, or Universal Credit. If credits were not applied, contact HMRC to have them added.

2. Pay Voluntary Class 3 Contributions

You can normally pay voluntary Class 3 to fill gaps from the last six tax years. The current rate is £17.45 per week (£907.40 per year) for 2025/26. See our dedicated guide on voluntary Class 3 contributions.

3. Pay Voluntary Class 2 (Self-Employed)

If you were self-employed during the gap year, you may be able to pay voluntary Class 2 contributions instead, which are significantly cheaper at £3.45 per week.

4. Ask HMRC to Investigate an Employer Error

If you believe an employer failed to pay your NI, contact HMRC with evidence (payslips, P60s, bank statements showing deductions). HMRC can correct your record if the employer was at fault.

Letters from HMRC About Gaps

HMRC may proactively write to you if they identify gaps in your NI record. These letters typically:

Explain which tax years have gaps
Tell you the cost of filling each gap
Set a deadline by which you must pay
Explain the impact on your State Pension

You are not obliged to act on these letters, but it’s worth reviewing your State Pension forecast to decide whether filling the gaps is worthwhile.^[4]

Checking Your Record by Post

If you cannot use the online service, you can request a printed statement of your NI record by completing form CA5603 and sending it to:

HM Revenue and Customs
National Insurance Contributions Office
BX9 1AN

Allow several weeks for a response. The online service is much faster and provides the same information.

Linking to Your State Pension Forecast

Your NI record and State Pension forecast work hand in hand. After checking your NI record, also check your forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension to see:^[4]

Your estimated weekly State Pension amount
Your State Pension age
How your pension might increase if you continue contributing
Whether filling gaps would actually increase your pension

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my National Insurance record?

Sign in to your HMRC personal tax account at gov.uk using your Government Gateway credentials. Navigate to “Check your National Insurance record” to see a year-by-year breakdown.

What does my NI record show?

Your record lists each tax year, showing whether it is a “full year,” “year is not full,” or a gap. It also shows how many qualifying years you have in total and whether you have any years that can still be corrected.

What should I do if I find a gap?

First, check whether you were entitled to NI credits during that year (e.g. through benefits or Child Benefit). If not, you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill the gap — usually going back up to six years.

Can my employer correct a gap in my NI record?

If the gap is due to an employer not paying your NI contributions correctly, HMRC can investigate and correct your record. You’ll need evidence such as payslips or P60s.

Sources

Check your National Insurance record — GOV.UK
National Insurance: introduction — GOV.UK
Voluntary National Insurance — GOV.UK
Check your State Pension forecast — GOV.UK

Checking Your National Insurance Record