In many circumstances it can be beneficial to make voluntary Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to increase your entitlement to benefits, including the State or New State Pension if you are self-employed.


You might want to consider making voluntary NICs because:



  • you’re close to State Pension age and do not have enough qualifying years to get the full State Pension

  • you know you will not be able to meet the qualifying years you need to get the full State Pension during your working life

  • you’re self-employed and do not have to pay Class 2 contributions because you have low profits or live outside the UK, but you want to qualify for some benefits

There is also a specific list of jobs where class 2 NICs are not payable. These are:



  • examiners, moderators, invigilators and people who set exam questions

  • people who run businesses involving land or property

  • ministers of religion who do not receive a salary or stipend

  • people who make investments for themselves or others – but not as a business and without getting a fee or commission

If you fall within any of these categories it can be beneficial to get a State Pension forecast and examine whether to make voluntary Class 2 NICs to make up missing years.