What are National Insurance credits?

Why credits matter

Each year you pay or are credited with enough National Insurance counts as a "qualifying year". Qualifying years decide your State Pension.

If your record started before April 2016, you will usually need more than 35 qualifying years for the full rate. Credits can turn a year that would have been a gap into a qualifying year.

Class 1 and Class 3 credits

There are two types:

• Class 1 credits count towards your State Pension and can help you get some other benefits, such as New Style Jobseeker's Allowance.
• Class 3 credits count towards your State Pension only.

Credits you get automatically

You do not need to do anything if you get:

Credits you have to apply for

You must ask for credits in these cases:

• Unemployed but not claiming Jobseeker's Allowance: contact your local Jobcentre.
• On Statutory Sick Pay, or Statutory Maternity, Adoption, Shared Parental, Neonatal Care or Parental Bereavement Pay, and you do not earn enough for a qualifying year: write to PT Operations North East England, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AN. Include your National Insurance number.
• Caring for one or more sick or disabled people for at least 20 hours a week without Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment: apply for Class 3 carer's credits.
• Foster carers (or kinship carers in Scotland): apply for Class 3 credits.
• Jury service, if you are not self-employed: write to HMRC for Class 1 credits.

Grandparents and other relatives

If you are over 16 and under State Pension age and you looked after a child under 12 (at any time since 6 April 2011), you may be able to get credits. The child's parent must get Child Benefit and agree to transfer the credits to you.

You can also apply to transfer credits from a spouse or partner who got Child Benefit for a child under 12.

Who usually cannot get credits

Married women paying the reduced rate of National Insurance usually cannot get credits.

Check your record and fix mistakes

1. Check your National Insurance record online. It shows what you have paid up to the start of the current tax year (6 April 2026) and any credits.
2. If credits you applied for are missing, contact the office where you applied.
3. If you have questions, ask HMRC online, or phone the National Insurance helpline if you cannot use the online service.
4. If you disagree with a decision, ask for a mandatory reconsideration (a formal second look).

Related guides

• How much are voluntary National Insurance contributions?
• How do I check my State Pension forecast?
• What is Carer's Credit?
• How much is the State Pension?
• What is Child Benefit?

Where this comes from

• National Insurance credits (GOV.UK)
• National Insurance credits: eligibility (GOV.UK)
• Check your National Insurance record (GOV.UK)
• New State Pension: eligibility (GOV.UK)
• New State Pension: what you'll get (GOV.UK)