State Pension Calculator

Fill your NI gaps. Lock in guaranteed income for life.

Voluntary National Insurance contributions are one of the highest-certainty returns available to UK expats. This calculator shows you the exact cost, the annual gain, and how long it takes to break even.

"The cost-per-year of State Pension income purchased through voluntary contributions is, in most cases, one of the best risk-adjusted returns available to a UK expat."

2025/26 State Pension rates

Full State Pension £221.20/week (£11,502/yr)

Qualifying years required 35 years

Value per qualifying year £328.63/yr

Class 2 (self-employed / expat) £3.45/week (£179.40/yr)

Class 3 (voluntary) £17.45/week (£907.40/yr)

Your NI position

Enter your details to calculate the return on filling your gaps.

Current qualifying NI years (0-35)

035

Check on hmrc.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

Gap years to fill (years you want to buy)

120

Contribution type

Class 2

£179.40/year

Available if self-employed abroad. Significantly lower cost. Confirm eligibility with HMRC.

Class 3

£907.40/year

Standard voluntary rate. Available to most UK nationals living abroad.

Expected State Pension age

Please complete all fields.

Your return on investment
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Based on 20 years of pension receipts

Total cost

Additional pension/yr

Per year, for life

Breakeven period

Years until fully recovered

Lifetime gain (20 yrs)

Gross, before any tax

Cost vs lifetime gain

Cost

20yr gain

After filling your gaps

Take action

Check your NI record and make the call

HMRC has a deadline window for buying back years. Many expats miss it while waiting. If you have gaps and the numbers work, this is a decision with a clear answer. We can walk you through it.

Book a pension review

30 minutes. No commitment. Video call.