Should I buy NI credits?

Should I buy NI credits?

Anyone thinking of topping up their state pension for these earlier years should check with the Future Pension Centre at DWP before making top-up contributions. 

“There are some situations in which paying historic contributions would not boost your state pension. This could be particularly true for those who are short of a full state pension because of extensive periods of ‘contracting out’,” said Webb.

Before you hand over any money, make sure it is worthwhile. 

For example, can you backdate a claim for a benefit you were entitled to that comes with an automatic NI credit? Check how many years’ National Insurance you already have and how many more years you will work? You can check your National Insurance record via the government.

According to the former pensions minister Steve Webb, it is also not worth plugging the gap if you are in your 40s and can work for many more years.