NI Voluntary Contribution Planner

Compare an HMRC quote with the pension increase shown by your personal GOV.UK forecast.

Website updated 28 October 2026

Simple gross break-even comparison

Illustrative sample

2.75 years after the increase begins

At the entered forecast increase, the comparison is within the selected 20-year period. This is gross arithmetic, not a recommendation to pay.

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At a glance

Extra gross pension per year: £364.00
Gross increase over 20 years: £7,280.00
Less the entered quote: £6,280.00

This amount is before tax, means-tested benefit effects, inflation/uprating, time value of money, investment returns and any change to your personal forecast.

Cumulative pension increase vs one-off quote

The extra gross pension is held constant each year. The horizontal line is the quote entered above.

Enter the figures from your checks

Total voluntary contribution quote (£)

Use the total amount HMRC quoted for the year or years you are considering. Do not use a generic Class 3 rate if your quote is different.

Weekly state pension increase in your gov.uk forecast (£)

Enter the forecast increase shown after checking the specific year. Do not estimate this from a generic qualifying-year rule.

Years receiving the increased pension

Choose a comparison period starting when the higher pension would begin. The estimate holds the weekly increase constant and does not assume future uprating.

Use your personal quote and forecast

This planner compares arithmetic only. It does not check whether you can pay for a specific year, whether that year would increase your State Pension, or whether credits or another correction could fill the gap for free.

Before paying, check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast, then confirm the amount and benefit with HMRC or the Future Pension Centre. Read the UK guide to State Pension forecasts and NI gaps for credits, deadlines and record corrections.

NI voluntary contribution planner FAQs

What figures should I enter?

Enter the total payment quote for the gap or gaps you are considering, the weekly increase shown by your personal State Pension forecast after filling those gaps, and a comparison period beginning when that higher pension would start.

Does the planner tell me whether to pay?

No. It compares a quote with an increase from your official forecast. HMRC or the relevant pension service must confirm whether the year is eligible and whether payment will improve your entitlement.

Why should I check credits before paying?

A year may be improved by National Insurance credits, an employer record correction or another contribution route. A voluntary payment may be unnecessary or may not increase your pension.

How is the break-even period calculated?

The planner divides the entered one-off quote by 52 times the entered weekly pension increase. It assumes that increase remains constant and reports gross amounts.

Does the forecast increase include uprating?

Enter the weekly difference shown in your personal forecast. This planner holds it constant for each selected year; it does not model future State Pension uprating or other changes.

Does the comparison include tax or Pension Credit?

No. It excludes Income Tax, means-tested benefits, inflation, investment returns, discounting and individual household circumstances.

Can I use a generic Class 3 rate instead of my HMRC quote?

Use the amount HMRC quoted for the particular tax year and your circumstances. Rates, eligibility, deadlines and the value of a qualifying year can differ; the planner does not determine them.

Official National Insurance and State Pension sources

Use the official record and forecast before entering figures. The services can show whether a payment may help and what it could cost; this planner does not replace them.

GOV.UK: Check your National Insurance record
Check qualifying years, credits, gaps and whether voluntary contributions may help.
GOV.UK: Check your State Pension forecast
View your personal forecast, State Pension age and whether you may be able to increase your amount.
GOV.UK: Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance
Check the official payment route and eligibility before paying.
GOV.UK: Voluntary National Insurance deadlines
Current time limits for paying voluntary contributions for past tax years.
GOV.UK: New State Pension — increase your retirement income
Ways qualifying years can increase State Pension and the importance of your own forecast.
GOV.UK: Future Pension Centre
Contact route for questions about a forecast or whether a voluntary payment could benefit you.

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