Class 2 NI voluntary-payment checker

Check whether to pay voluntary Class 2 NI to protect State Pension and ESA entitlement.

checker

Expected profit 2025/26 (£)

Your age

Qualifying NI years already on record

I already have another qualifying NI year this tax year (PAYE job above the primary threshold, or NI credits) I want to protect future entitlement to New Style ESA I already have an existing ESA claim

Methodology

This tool assumes:

2025-26 Small Profits Threshold £6,845 — below this, Class 2 NI is voluntary at £3.50/week (~£182/year).
A qualifying NI year requires sufficient contributions in that tax year (Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 voluntary).
Full new State Pension typically requires 35 qualifying years; 10 years for any State Pension at all.
New Style ESA contribution conditions look at the two complete tax years before the year you claim.
If you have other qualifying NI sources (e.g. employment Class 1, NI credits while claiming UC/Carer's Allowance), voluntary Class 2 may be unnecessary.

Primary sources:

Tax year: 2025-26Last reviewed: 21 April 2026Next review: 21 July 2026

Methodology

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